2012-Conventional top load washers being discontinued?

[mtn1584]

I read in another thread recently that Sears will no longer carry traditional DD top loaders due to energy restrictions starting in 2012. Does this mean that all manufacturers, Whirlpool, GE, Speed Queen, Frigidaire etc...will NO LONGER manufacture or sell these machines??? I am just curious, because 65% of washers sold in the US are conventional top loaders, could someone answer this???
Thanks,
Mike

 

[tolivac]

I can forsee a lot of ANGRY appliance buyers in the future-forced to buy overpriced front loaders,and overpriced water mizer TL machines.I will continue to buy from the swap shops-and possibly stock up on more TL BD washers.These rules are so stupid and accomplish NOTHING.

 

[frigilux]

I think we'd be reading far more about plant closures/re-tooling if all top-loaders were going to cease to exist. I can, however, see manufacturers making fewer of them in the future. They may, at some point, make up much smaller percentage of total washers sold.

 

[strongenough78]

Yeah that would suck. I'll just keep an eye out in the papers or craigslist for what will soon to be vintage top load washers.

 

[supersurgilator]

I remember reading something like this many years ago that all toploaders were going to be discontinued in 2007. Obviously that never happen, manufactures just find a way to make the machines more efficient, even if that is dumbing down the temps. However, if Sears is the only place going to do this, people will simply shop elsewhere and it will end up hurting their bottom line.

 

[launderess]

Even Though The "Energy Star" Program

Is purely voluntary, the federal government, tree huggers and others have done such a good PR job that consumers look for that sticker.

With even more strict energy use regulations coming for washing machines, most of today's top loading washing machine designs are going to fade away.

There simply is no getting around that top loading washing machines need water, lots of it to do the job. Otherwise one has laundry being beaten to death against the agitator and grinded against each other.

Considering R&D costs, and the fact the market for "major appliances", has changed so much one doubts Whirlpool or anyone else is going to commit vast sums to developing traditional top loaders to meet ES standards. Not when they can make more building so so quality front loaders though loaded with bells and whistles, won't last nearly ten years, and sell them for a good profit.

 

[suburbanmd]

Consumer demand isn't the force driving energy- and wate

...it's the manufacturer tax credits.

http://energytaxincentives.org/builders/appliances.php

 

[chromecap]

Ohh please..water is continually a renewable source..especially after this weekend in the northeast

 

[mark_wpduet]

Can't the manufacturers STILL get the tax credits for creating Energy star appliances and still add options for the consumer to decide if they want to use that option or not? Example.....Eco option......Non eco option.....Extra rinse.....or deep rinse......The option is AVAILABLE for the customer to use but they can still get the tax credit since it is still an energystar appliance. I don't get that....

 

[chromecap]

Who the f@@@ got this ball rolling? Really!.. My water bill is the cheapest we pay where i am at. F@#$ this bs regulation on a problem that does not exist. I for one agree 100% with Tolivac. I guess big brother knows best and every bleeding heart..give me a break! Not to start any fights...but come on now!

 

[chromecap]

just to clarify i meant this whole water usage thing,...been raining here for 3 days now. This really sucks!

 

[tolivac]

Its unusually wet my way too-my drainage ditches around my yard are ALWAYS full-lets see how many TL cold water loads can we get from that?The water problem really does not exist-In some areas maybe-but water is plentiful out my way.A FL or mater mizer TL WILL NOT PAYBACK in my area.Its a scam!The big brothers and appliance makers are trying to force you to spend money on machines you may not need-and by the way-the swap shop operators out here WON'T take FL machines-they are about worn out when they get them.The swap shop operators will sell the fL if it works and doesn't leak-otherwise it goes to the krusher as they say.My water bill averages less than $30 per month-these water regs and appliance regs are silly! strike them down and let folks choose the washers and dishwashers THEY want to buy.The water chicken littles need to get a life-sorry to be blunt but I get tired of this foolishness.And Vote the water-appliance reg bums out!Let it be YOUR choices of appliances.I don't need someone elese to choose appliances for me.

 

[logixx]

Can't the manufacturers STILL get the tax credits for creating Energy star appliances and still add options for the consumer to decide if they want to use that option or not? Example.....Eco option......Non eco option.....Extra rinse.....or deep rinse......The option is AVAILABLE for the customer to use but they can still get the tax credit since it is still an energystar appliance. I don't get that....

Bosch/Siemens Home Appliances comes to rescue!

I have to say B/S/H listened carefully to the consumer's demand to reduce cycle times. Their new EcoStar dishwasher series uses only 1.8 gal. of water by storing the rinse water and recycling it for the next pre-wash. Yet, if you want a faster cycle, select the varioSpeed option and no cycle will take longer than 60 to 90 minutes. It's up to the consumer: eco or fast.

Their new washing machines are 30% more efficient than what is required to achieve an A-rating for energy efficiency. Again, you can either select the ecoPerfect option to get a super-efficient wash or speedPerfect to get your wash done fast (or don't select anything and use the standard cycle).

Bottom line: these appliances are super efficient and officially rated A+ for engergy use - but if you want, you can still turn them into "modern" water hogs.

Here's one of the super-efficient B/S/H washers on a Cotton Sensitive rinse cycle with Skin Care:

 

[rll70sman]

Yay, Rex and Chromecap! Well said! The same thinking applies to toilets. They're toilets for crying out loud! They need water to properly flush and keep from plugging up pipes and septic or sewer systems. I don't ever recall the older five- to seven-gallon-per-flush models plugging up like these stupid 1.6-gallon or less ones that the government forced us into buying from 1994 onward.

I'm all about being good stewards of our natural resources--reducing the amount of garbage we throw away, reusing stuff, recycling, not using huge quantities of water for the sake of just wasting it, etc., etc. But, there's comes a point of diminishing returns when the government and companies keep harping on this "going green" movement. If something doesn't last because it was made cheaply, I do not understand how the environment benefits if the item is thrown away because it is so prohibitively expensive to fix.

Anyway, I could rant all day about this, but it's tax day for corporations and I need to get busy . Have a good one!

Rob

 

[suburbanmd]

Tax credits

I'd be satisfied if I could match the $250 tax credit (i.e. the manufacturer would get the $250 from me instead of the government), and buy a less frugal machine. It would still have to conform to the mandatory federal standard, but that's the same for top-loaders and front-loaders, so it's very lenient for front-loaders.

 

[aquarius1984]

I feel

quite a few American members here are missing the point of the low water usage.

Its not that the water itself is in shortage but the materials used to HEAT the water.

Why waste 4 X and maybe more resource to heat wash water when you only need to use a 1/4.

The energy used to heat water to "Warm" in a top loading machine uses way more than what it is to heat my so called miniscule amount of water in a Euro FL to have a boil wash!

Water has nothing to do with this debate only electricity gas or coal/oil that you use to heat the water to wash with.

 

[mark_wpduet]

It's never bothered me about the LOW water levels for washing. I could care less about that. My problem has always been RINSING. Low water heated wash (great).....followed by more water in the rinses. At least give me a shallow or deep rinse option ( I don't mean water half way up the door)...but just more water that is used for rinsing than they use now....To me, it's just not enough. If these washers used a little deeper rinse than they do now a lot of the gunk would not build up like they do in FL's now..( at least not as bad )

 

[tolivac]

With all this low water energy use machines-wether it be washers or potties,dishwashers,what real concern is it of the govt or others-after all ITS MY WATER and ELECTRIC bill and I pay it.What I use is my concern- what others use Is not my concern.Shouldn't be others either.This nonesense has to go!Leave folks with THEI CHOICE of appliances-if they want to buy the low energy-water use equipment--so be it.If they want to buy the water and energy hog-so be it-just leave me with a CHOICE!!!And if they want to dangle the carrot in the form of a tax credit-fine--have it apply to the low energy and water use fixtures.

 

[vintagesearch]

what a load of crap! really? i mean im all for energy conservation im one of them but no more toploaders hmmm...why dont they start by charging EVERYONE a water bill!?!?!?!? not just us property owners!!!! how about you dont pay your water bill you get no water! its hilarious because ive heard that other countries charge even low income individuals a water usage fee! IMPLEMENT IT HERE!!! how the heck can a washing machine really use so much? not everyone who owns a toploader uses it carelessly! wow i guess craigslist,ebay, second hand shops will be flooded with toploaders! and im sure they will reintroduce the toploader agitator with "automatic water level sensors" blibidy blah technology watch....ima keep a tight grip on our kenmore LOL....im NOT ranting just opinionatin'