New Speed Queen AWN542 owner here

[RWIndiana]

I don't know why, but I feel the need to make a comment (congrats to the OP on the Speed Queen of course, I have one as well, in addition to a front-loader. They make a great team) about water usage. Just while driving to work yesterday I witnessed literally millions of gallons being shot out onto the fields.

The comment was made that in the future we will be fighting for water the same as oil. In some specific cases, this may be true. But let's really get our facts straight (that is all I really care about. Opinions are opinions, but facts are facts and we need to honestly accept them). When it takes 338 gallons of water to produce a hamburger, then you can safely do at least ten extra loads of laundry in your Speed Queen by eating one less serving of beef per week. For a serving of poultry, it supposedly takes 88 gallons of water to produce. 880 gallons per gallon of milk. 670 gallons per day to produce the electricity for the average American. Okay someone do me some homework: how much water does it take to water a small lawn?

Point is, for most of us, water usage is not an issue (and it never will be). It would be more help to take fewer showers. Trying to reduce it by using HE washing machines is brainless. Use them because they are better (if you believe so. I'm somewhat neutral, I use both for different purposes), not because they use less water. That's like using a vacuum cleaner with a soda-straw attachment so you don't waste air.

You want to save water? Great. But stop thinking you're saving ANYTHING by using HE washers, and take an honest look at your electricity, driving habits, diet . . .

 

[washman]

It is one thing to subscribe to FL IF you have done your homework and truly believe they do the same job with less water. Same thing for HE TL machines.
However, it is another matter entirely when one subscribes to "trends" or what the government tells you without first questioning it and seeing with your own eyes.

Not everything that is "new" is actually improved. And just because the government says we have a water crisis and need to converse water does not make it necessarily true. Remember this is the same government that gave us the JFK magic bullet story and also told thousands of ground troops in Vietnam that Agent Orange is harmless.

That being said, I would be more inclined to purchase a SQ FL over a HE TL.

 

[mtn1584]

The only reason these garbage low water usage machines

are on the market is because Whirlpool, GE agreed to make them in order to get tax breaks!!!! The CEO of GE sits his ass in the WH, promises to make low water usage washing machines, takes advantage of tax breaks, and then charges the consumer an arm and a leg for a cheaply, and not until recently... made in China, or wherever, destined for the junkyard in five years, piece of crap, low water usage washer!
Then he boasts about bringing jobs back to the US for $13.00 an hour to build these sub par water stringent things they call washing machines!!! If Whirlpool, and GE and Frigidaire, had not agreed to govt. tax breaks for building energy star washers, we would still be washing in a traditional, built in the US top load washer like a DD Sears Kenmore, or Whirlpool!! But money talks, and BS walks....Glad I have my SQ washer.
Mike

PS Almost every member on here who bought a new FL or HE TL washer in one way shape or form looks to add MORE water to their machines??? WHY is this...BECAUSE WATER IS NECESSARY TO WASH WITH...be it your body, car, dog, dishes, or clothes!!!!

 

[washman]

mtn1584, well said!

RWIndiana I watched your vids on youtube. Two of mine are out there for your viewing pleasure.

Ran out of things to wash this week, I supposed I could run the bedding through. It will be quite chilly here this weekend so I will have to dig out the flannel.

 

[frigilux]

I recognized some of the statistics in rwindiana's post from a water consumption footprint calculator at National Geographic online. A link to it is provided---check it out; pretty interesting.  

 

When it takes 338 gallons of water to produce a 3-oz. serving of beef, saving 16-20 gallons of water by using a front-loader doesn't seem like much.  I calculated that with various water-saving devices (appliances, faucets, toilets, shower heads, etc.) I save around 265 gallons of water per week in a 1-person household. I certainly don't live a Spartan lifestyle, either!  Again,  it's very small when compared to the water it takes to produce a gallon of milk---but it's a little, and it's no skin off my nose, so I don't mind it a bit.  And I've never had to re-wash a load of clothes or dishes.  Have never added a drop of water to the washer.

 

Our water and utility rates are extremely low out here in on the open prairie, and the US in general pays far less than many other places on the planet, so there isn't a lot of incentive to be mindful of how much we consume.

 

 

 

[this post was last edited: 9/12/2013-19:34]

http://environment.nationalgeograph...change-the-course/water-footprint-calculator/

 

[foraloysius]

Interesting stuff Eugene, thanks for sharing. Perhaps worth a separate thread?

 

[frigilux]

Done!  Gave the water consumption footprint link a thread in the Super forum.

 

[logixx]

I think one of the biggest reasons why top loaders won't catch on in Europe is the amount of (heated) water they use. Even HE top loaders use more water the front loaders - on average. See link:

 

http://dishwashers.reviewed.com/features/welcome-to-europe-where-the-most-miserly-appliances-rule
 

While it would certainly be fun to have a TL in the laundry room, it would simply become too expensive to use it as a daily driver.

 

Alex

 

[bellap]

My first post here, but I thought I'd weigh in. After 3 1/2 years of living with a Consumer Reports top rated Whirlpool Cabrio washer and dryer, and spending about half the cost of the washer on repairs, the tub bearings were going out again. We purchased a new SpeedQueen AWN542 washer and ADE4BR Dryer last Friday. They were installed today. My wife is on the third load of laundry and is delighted. The washer is cleaning very well and is very fast. Some have mentioned the lower water levels in the new SpeedQueens; however, it only fills about 2 inches lower than the top holes in the basket. I doubt we will have to make any adjustments to the water level. The dryer is also exceptional. We wanted dependable workhorses that did the job well. The test of time is required of course. But with a 3 year parts and labor warranty, 5 years on the motor and cabinet and 10 years on the transmission, you won't find a better built machine in America.

 

[washman]

Congrats bellap

I too am enjoying my SQ in all it's USA made glory. I wish I had more laundry to do right now!

I have no doubt you will get many good years of service from this fine machine.

Enjoy!

 

[roger]

Were wringer washers ever popular in Europe?

Perhaps North America stuck with the TL because it was used to using wringer washers.

 

[yogitunes]

@washman....those ads are great, but thats a whole different SQ, from a whole different company.....those solid tub machines were made by McGraw-Edison, then sold to Raytheon in the 80's, who badly redesigned them with the perforated tub and seal issues, finally Alliance took them over, around 2000, and corrected their seal issues, and made them into the better machines they produce today...actually SQ didn't get recognised until the DirectDrive machines were phased out, and everything was heading towards HE, and now who's leading the market with old school technology, a simple design, and all metal construction?

 

[logixx]

Popular? I don't know. But we certaily did have wringer washers. One of Miele's first -if not the first - washers was an agi top loader.