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If you have a big family to do laundry for, you are probably using the highest setting on your washing machine. Having to do multiple loads of laundry each day can really increase your water bill.
However, if you are someone that only does a load or two of laundry a week, you might not need a washer that uses so much water.
So how much water does a washing machine use? Well, it depends on what type of washer you are using to do you laundry.
Top loading washing machines and front loading washing machines use different amounts of water depending on the settings and use.
Well, it depends on what type of washer you are using to do you laundry. Top loading washing machines and front loading washing machines use different amounts of water depending on the settings and use.
The Difference Between a Top Loading and a Front Loading Washing Machine
How much water does a top loading washing machine use?
Top loading washing machines are the more common type of washing machines. If you have an older washing machine, chances are it is a top loader.
You load the clothes through the lid on top of the machine, it fills up with water, and the agitator moves the clothes in the water to get them clean.
So how much water does a top loader washing machine use? Depending on the setting and load size, a top loading washing machine uses around 30 to 45 gallons of water per load of laundry.
That seems like a lot but remember the whole drum of the washing machine has to fill up with water in order to wash the load of laundry.
And, depending on how many rinse cycles you use, it must refill again with fresh water to get the clothes rinsed. The 30 to 45 gallons includes the water used during the rinse cycles.
How much water does a front load washing machine use?
Front loader washing machines are also known as energy-efficient washing machines.
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The reason they are considered energy efficient is because they use far less water than a traditional top loader washing machine.
How much do front loader washing machines use?
Typically, they only use 15 gallons of water per load of laundry. That is quite a bit less than a front loader!
By using less water, can they really get your clothes clean? They actually can.
The mechanics of the front loader are a bit different than the top loader. Instead of loading the laundry into a drum of water from the top, you put it in the front of the machine, similar to a clothes dryer.
Front loader washers fill up with just enough water to get the load of clothes wet.
There is no agitator so the drum of the machine spins on a horizontal axis so the water always stays at the bottom of the machine.
As the top loader spins, the clothes go through the water on the bottom and they get cleaned that way.
Doing the Math: What Machine Uses More Water?
Let’s say you do an average of 300 loads of laundry per year. That machine is sure getting a workout! And your water bill probably is as well!
With a top loading washing machine using 30 to 45 gallons per load, that’s almost 9,000 to 13,500 gallons of water used each year.
By comparing the two types of washing machines, it can be seen that the front loading washing machine is a lot more energy efficient than a top loading washing machine in terms of water usage.
Both machines can get clothes sufficiently clean as long as you use the correct settings and manufacturer’s recommendations.
Top Loader vs Front Loader: What Cleans Better?
One is not better than the other in terms of how well it cleans clothes. Both clean your laundry sufficiently.
However, if the amount of water it uses is a concern to you, a front loader uses far less water than a top loading washing machine.
Doing laundry is pretty much unavoidable. If you are like most families, you are using your washing machine on a daily basis.
As you sit and watch your washing machine fill with water, you might ask, “How much water does a washing machine use?” That answer entirely depends on the type of washing machine you use. Front loading will use about half of the amount of water than that a top loading washing machine.
maytag 11026132413 won’t fill, valves are good, water pressure is good. website doesn’t address any other possibility. I think the water level switch is bad but nobody sells them. Can you please advise.
Remove pressure switch and check continuity between pins, while blowing into it. Switch should click ON and OFF. If switch is working, there is something else such as a control board which may failed
Hello Eugene, I have a front load washer, Kenmore 3.8 cu. ft model 970L4802.
The drum fills up during the off cycle from time to time, I monitor it every day, but never see it happening, could the water valve dispenser be the issue, thanks in advance.
If it filling up by itself, then yes you need to replace valve