gotta love the oasis

[launderess]

For all the R&D American appliance makers are spending on these impeller designs, they could invest in bringing back the Frigidaire "Jet Cone" 1-18 washers. Just think what modern technology and materials could bring in such a great washer?

Launderess

 

[frigilux]

Launderess, as much as I would drop my FL'er in a second if the Jet Cone came back onto the market, I'm afraid it'll never happen. There are probably energy efficiency issues and patent issues and all sorts of roadblocks like that. Plus, the Dual-Action agitators (at least the hyper-fast KM and WP's) sorta kinda mimic the "pull the clothes downward" action. Kinda. Sorta.

 

[launderess]

Don't think Jet Cone washers are/were any less energy effcient than some of the current top loaders out there today.

Here is how I would do it:

Get the final spin speed back up to 1140 rpms. This would cut drying time thus save energy.

Introduce a spray rinse feature similar to what Unimac twin tub washers have in place of a set deep rinse (make the deep rinses an option). Unimat twin tub washers have a unique spin/rinse basket where a fine spray of water comes from above and IIRC sides of tub while the tub spins at the proper rpm for optimal saturation of laundry. That is the water simply does not bounce off the laundry as it would during a high speed spin. After a period of "spraying" the water goes off and the unit hits high rpm spinning. This can be done one, two or as many times as needed and would still use less water than a deep rinse. To get really fancy, some sort of sensor could perhaps be fitted in to "see" when spin/rinse water is draining clear, thus signal the unit to continue with high speed spinning cycle.

L.

 

[sudsmaster]

Even with spray rinses only, there would still be the problem of energy (and water) loss from having to heat 20+ gallons of water for the wash portion of the cycle. This is why no traditional top loader design will ever be very likely to see the light of day again, not even the wonderful GM Frigidaire pulsating agitator design.

 

[launderess]

What Exactly Are The Mandatory Standards

For washing machines anyway?

The "Energy Star" program is voluntary, but what exactly does the US government spell out for washing machines in terms of energy effiency?

L

 

[sudsmaster]

Who said anything about mandatory standards?

As far as I know, there are no mandatory energy regulations for washing machines across the USA.

That might change in the future, and California may lead the way.

There is mandatory energy guide labeling of new washers sold in the USA. But this law only requires discolsure up front of the machine's energy consumption, it does not stipulate what that consumption must be.

In some communities, especially in the arid Southwest, water conservation can be enough of an issue to warrant penalites for various types of conspicuous water consumption (like watering the lawn, or letting car wash water run into the gutter). But as far as I know, no local authorities as yet in the USA are invading laundry rooms to confiscate top loaders.

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/washmachalrt.htm