Top-Loading Washing Machines – Which Are More Efficient?
Top-loaders are more popular in New Zealand than they are in other parts of the world. One of the reasons is that they are easy to use and also to access, especially if you have a back issue for example. They can also accommodate bigger loads than front-loading washing machines.
However, they are more expensive to run and are less energy-efficient. This is probably why they are more popular overseas, and are increasingly so here in New Zealand.
EECA, the NZ government energy advice website ran some tests on different models of top-loading washing machines to see which were more efficient and which had lower annual running costs. You can see the results on this page but below we have a summary of some of the key brands in the report.
Best Energy Efficiency Top-Loading Washing Machines
WESTINGHOUSE WWT1020A
Westinghouse top-loader
Annual running cost$ 67
Warm wash energy consumption kWh/365 uses 270
Cold wash energy consumption kWh/365 uses 111
Water consumption L 101.0
Washer/Dryer No
Load capacity kg 10.0
Loading type Top
Water connection Hot and Cold
Delay start function Yes
Programme time mins 105
SIMPSON SWT1043
Annual running cost$ 88
Warm wash energy consumption kWh/365 uses 354
Cold wash energy consumption kWh/365 uses 127
Water consumption L 133.0
Washer/Dryer No
Load capacity kg 10.0
Loading type Top
Water connection Hot and Cold
Delay start function Yes
Programme time mins 118
FISHER & PAYKEL WA8560E1
Annual running cost$ 78
Warm wash energy consumption kWh/365 uses 313
Cold wash energy consumption kWh/365 uses 94
Water consumption L 95.0
Washer/Dryer No
Load capacity kg 8.5
Loading type Top
Water connection Hot and Cold
Delay start function Yes
Programme time mins 67
All of these top-performing models have a fast cycle time.
Least Efficient Top-Loading Washing Machines
CLASSIQUE CL5EL
Annual running cost$ 121
Warm wash energy consumption kWh/365 uses 486
Cold wash energy consumption kWh/365 uses
Water consumption L 94.0
Washer/Dryer No
Load capacity kg 5.0
Loading type Top
Water connection Hot and Cold
Delay start function Yes
Programme time mins 65
AKAI XQB60-M933
Annual running cost$ 119
Warm wash energy consumption kWh/365 uses 477
Cold wash energy consumption kWh/365 uses
Water consumption L 67.0
Washer/Dryer No
Load capacity kg 5.5
Loading type Top
Water connection Hot and Cold
Delay start function No
Programme time mins 110
DAEWOO DWF-65GAWCA
Annual running cost$ 143
Warm wash energy consumption kWh/365 uses 573
Cold wash energy consumption kWh/365 uses 111
Water consumption L 94.8
Washer/Dryer No
Load capacity kg 6.5
Loading type Top
Water connection Hot and Cold
Delay start function Yes
Programme time mins 149
These models and other low-efficiency top-loaders have a lower load capacity than the best performing machines.
Lowest Annual Running Cost Top-Loading Washers
The WESTINGHOUSE WWT1020A was the lowest-running cost machine in the tests. Other top-performers include:-
FISHER & PAYKEL WA8060E
Annual running cost$ 72
Warm wash energy consumption kWh/365 uses 290
Cold wash energy consumption kWh/365 uses 86
Water consumption L 96.0
Washer/Dryer No
Load capacity kg 8.0
Loading type Top
Water connection Hot and Cold
Delay start function Yes
Programme time mins 61
SAMSUNG WW65J3263IW
Samsung top-loader
Annual running cost$ 74
Warm wash energy consumption kWh/365 uses 295
Cold wash energy consumption kWh/365 uses 170
Water consumption L 56.0
Washer/Dryer No
Load capacity kg 6.5
Loading type Top
Water connection Cold
Delay start function Yes
Programme time mins 265
SIMPSON SWT8542A
Annual running cost$ 98
Warm wash energy consumption kWh/365 uses 395
Cold wash energy consumption kWh/365 uses 84
Water consumption L 86.0
Washer/Dryer No
Load capacity kg 8.5
Loading type Top
Water connection Hot and Cold
Delay start function No
Programme time mins 108
Both the Fisher & Paykel and Simpson brands did well in this measure with seven of the Top nine models between them.
Top-loader Washing Machine Repairs
However good a brand or model might be, some will need servicing or even repairing at some time through their working life. If you need to find a top-loader washing machine repair service, visit this website, a directory of appliance repair companies in New Zealand to find your local service provider like Albany appliance repairs.