What Is a High-Efficiency (HE) Washer?
If it falls short of the set guidelines, it cannot sport the HE symbol.
This means fewer washloads to process and less water, detergent, and energy to wash and dry.
The Spruce / Michele Lee
A high-efficiency washer washes clothes with a rotating tub to tumble items in the wash cycle.
A front-loading HE washer tumbles items back and forth in the water.
A top-loading HE washer spins, rotates, and wobbles clothing to wash the clothes.
The Spruce
Top-loading HE washers do not have an agitator, but instead, moves clothing using a small center post.
A traditional washer uses an agitator to move clothing around the tub.
Traditional Washer
A traditional washer will have a tall agitator in the middle of the tub.
The agitator takes up some room and reduces the tub’s washing capacity.
Appearance
There are two types of HE washers.
Though they are best known as front-loading appliances, there are also top-loading models.
Standard washing machines are top-loading only.
There are no front-loading standard washers.
Front-loading HE washers are considered to be more contemporary in style.
Sizes
Both HE and traditional washers now come in all sizes and capacities.
That requires reaching down into deeper tubs.
A standard washer doesn’t require as much daily care as a HE washer.
One issue you will need to watch for is the potential to overload a top-loading standard washer.
Overloading will cause the drum to wobble or stop spinning.
Another issue is the agitator that may stop working due to various factors.
A HE washer has a higher learning curve which includes daily maintenance.
You’ll need HE detergent to use with a high-efficiency washer.
Cycle times are much longer partly due to the low water useit takes longer to get clothes clean.
This applies regardless if the washer is top-loading or front-loading, as long as it has the HE seal.
High-efficiency washers are also Energy Star compliant.
Accompanying dryers must also meet certain criteria for lower energy use to carry the HE symbol.
The Energy Star program has not been extended to dryers.
Traditional washers are not Energy Star compliant.
Best for Water and Energy Use: High-Efficiency Washer
A HE washer uses less water per load.
Cost
Though high-efficiency washer and dryer prices have become more competitive, they still do cost more.
A regular top-loading washing machine will be less money than even a top-loading HE machine.
But the two types of washers are now closer in price than ever before.
Lifespan
Anywasher should last over 10 years.
HE washers are becoming more commonplace.
For efficiency, a HE washer will clean larger loads with less water and less energy.
You will need to do a bit more daily maintenance to eliminate any mold and mildew build-up.
Top Brands
Regular detergent will produce a lot of suds in a low water level.
This could possibly overflow the machine, so it’s important to use low-sudsing HE detergent.
HE washers use little water to create a higher concentration of detergent, leading to better cleaning.
Laundry Best Practices.Energy Star, United States Department of Energy.
