mulls -- There are two F&P models currently on the U.S. market, GWL11 and IWL12. GWL11 is known as the EcoSmart. IWL12 is called the Intuitive Eco. Being top-loaders, they do have to fill and submerge the load for agitation, so they aren't as thrifty with water as HE front-loaders. They do well, however, in terms of energy savings. As Gizmo mentions in another thread, F&P's SmartDrive motor itself is very energy-efficient compared to other washers. Both machines have F&P's "EcoActive" wash action. The two machines have slightly different default wash programs for purpose of water savings. The GWL11 defaults to a shower rinse. A "softener rinse" (deep rinse) option is available. IWL12 defaults to a deep rinse. IWL12 is not rated very well for water usage compared to GWL11, as EnergyStar ratings are based on the default settings. However, IWL12 has several options for water saving on shower rinses, so it can do just as well as GWL11 in that respect, the user just has to program/use the options.
mattywashboy -- Yes, there is a minimal fill for the EcoActive wash phase, less than the actual low level. Just enough water to saturate the clothes and keep the pump primed for recirculation. The wash basket still rotates during fill, of course. When fill begins, the recirculation divertor valve is energized. It's a wax motor, so takes a minute or so to heat up and activate. When the target minimal level is hit, fill and rotation stops for a couple seconds. The pump turns on and rotation starts again. The divertor valve should be fully activated at this point, so water is circulated through the shower port at the upper right rear of the tub. Fill starts up again for a brief time to compensate for the amount of water that's "in the air" and flowing through the clothes during recirculation. The basket stops rotating for few moments every 15 to 20 seconds or so, presumably so various points throughout the load can get a good soaking. There is no agitation, just the recirculation spray of concentrated detergent solution and slow rotation of the wash basket. EcoActive wash lasts for several minutes, longer or shorter depending on the selected soil level. Then the machine fills the rest of the way for an agitated deep wash.
Energy savings comes from this: The initial saturation fill is the ONLY time hot water is used, for whatever is the selected wash temperature. The remainder of the fill for the deep wash is with cold water, as are the rinses. Well, a bit of hot water may be used if necessary to keep the cold wash water at no less than 70°F.
IWL12 has a 'traditional wash' option that eliminates the EcoActive phase and fills for a deep wash with water at the selected temperature. GWL11 doesn't have an 'official' traditional wash option, although the Perm Press cycle does skip EcoActive and go straight to a deep wash. Normally Perm Press on the GWL11 is limited to no hotter than a warm wash, but a hidden cycle option (outlined in the user manual) allows for a hot fill.
Another water saving aspect that may come into play is the automatic water level sensing. This can reduce water consumption for some people who may have a habit of selecting too high of a level for the load size. And there is also the 1000 RPM spin, which contributes to reduced dryer time.
