Water consumption of an automatic washing machine: average consumption, what affects it, ways to reduce water consumption

When purchasing a washing machine, people think about how many resources it will consume. As utility prices increase year after year, home appliance owners want them to be economical. There are models that can be washed in economical modes. You need to know not only their name, but also understand what the water consumption of an automatic washing machine will be. This indicator is calculated based on several criteria.

What does water consumption depend on?

After purchasing a washing machine, utility bills can increase several times. Several factors influence this. If they are not taken into account, owners of household appliances face significant waste every month.

Let's determine the main factors influencing water consumption:

• amount of loaded laundry;
• washing programs;
• machine malfunction.

Modern types of machines can wash clothes in economical modes. Each brand offers its own solutions. When the drum is fully loaded, the average consumption will be less. If a person washes a little, but does it often, the equipment consumes more resources. Consumption may increase if the washing machine is connected incorrectly or if it malfunctions. For example, if the inlet valve breaks down, liquid enters the tank when it is not needed, and the machine wastes a large amount of water daily.

How to reduce

The owner can reduce water consumption by bringing the result closer to the specifications:

1. Using operating modes with reduced fluid flow.
2. By controlling the volume of laundry loaded into the drum.
3. Checking the correct connection of the water mains and drain hose. Clogged hoses, filters and foreign objects wrapping around the pump impeller increase washing time and increase water consumption.
4. By checking the condition of the surface of the electric heater. The resulting layer of scale increases the heating time of the liquid, which negatively affects water consumption. To reduce the rate of contamination of heating elements, water softening agents are introduced into the powder.

Water consumption indicators for one cycle

How much water does a washing machine use on average? This figure is indicated in the passport document. The volume of water consumption per wash can be 38-80 liters. The average figure is approximately 60 liters. If you're spending a lot, think about whether you're choosing too much water and whether your appliances are working properly.

If you suspect that increased utility bills are related to the operation of the machine, open its passport and look at the average water consumption figures. Next, carry out simple calculations based on the indicators of water meters. Remember that the larger the unit, the more resources it needs. If you have an old model, it is not always correct to rely on the volume of consumption indicated in the passport. The older the equipment, the higher its wear and tear and resource consumption.

Water consumption of an automatic washing machine is 5 kg per wash

The passport data of any device contains test results. In laboratories, experimental washes are carried out under different conditions and under different loads. Numerous tests helped determine the minimum moisture consumption for savings and maximum consumption.

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The smallest volume was 38 liters, and the largest was 80 liters. If you add up the numbers and divide the amount in half, you get 59 liters. This figure is most often seen in washing machine data sheets.

The figures may not be accurate, so it is recommended that you do your own verification.

It is necessary to carry out a number of operations:

1. Record the cold water meter readings.
2. Carry out the longest wash without opening cold taps.
3. Calculate the consumption on the meter.
4. Repeat washing, but in the fastest mode.
5. Calculate the minimum flow rate.
6. Calculate the average.

By comparing the indicator with the passport data, conclusions are drawn about the operation of the washing unit.

A match between the data is considered normal. And a difference of within 15 liters is also normal. The figures of 50-60 liters of difference will indicate a critical situation.

This situation makes you think about the correct use of equipment and choosing the appropriate washing mode. It is necessary to carry out a complete diagnostic of the equipment and identify the malfunction that affects the excessive consumption of moisture. Perhaps the owner should clean it. A heating element with scale or a clogged filter can also affect excessive consumption.

Water consumption for different models

Lg machines have 8 water flow levels.
For them it can be 7.5-43 liters. How much water does an Lg washing machine use? If we assume that we wash 5 kg of laundry, this figure will be from 48 to 56 liters per cycle. When calculating the average water consumption for “washing machines” of this type, you need to take into account different types of fabrics. The main “counting mode” is “Cotton”. When loading 5 kg of cotton items, the water consumption will be approximately 45 liters. To wash 2 kg of synthetic fabrics you need approximately 40 liters, and if the fabric is thinner, the machine takes 50 liters.

Lg models have “Steam Wash”. When this program is activated, water is sprayed onto items and mixed with washing powder. Using this mode allows you to use resources more economically.

The features of Indesit machines allow them to economically use and consume water when washing. 5 kg of things takes 43-52 liters. All models are equipped with the Eco Time option. This “smart” option uses resources sparingly.

Anyone who uses a full-size machine from Samsung will appreciate it for its efficiency and reliability. Compact models are not suitable for washing double bed linen sets. Large items are difficult to fit into the drum, but the amount of water will be decent - about 40 liters per cycle. It’s better to buy a full-size “washing machine” from this company, which will fit everything you need.

How many liters of water does a Bosch machine use for one wash? The standard figure does not differ from the figures typical for other companies. When loading 5 kg of things into the drum, the consumption will be from 40 to 50 liters.

How to save money?

To reduce resource consumption and your own financial costs for utility bills, you can take advantage of the following savings opportunities :

• completely fill the tank with laundry;
• do not use the pre-soak option if there are no difficult-to-remove stains on the clothes;
• use high-quality laundry detergents to prevent repeated treatments;
• use only powders intended for washing machines; they create a small amount of foam and rinse out faster;
• give preference to the quick wash mode.

Economy modes and programs

Savings largely depend on what temperature setting you choose for your washing machine. The choice of temperature for all models ranges from 30 to 95C and depends on how dirty the laundry is. The following factors also affect water consumption:

• types of fabric and their combinations;
• duration of one cycle;
• number of rinses.

There are several modes that can be called economical. They can be found in almost any washing machine:

• fast. Sometimes it is designated as “accelerated”. Time – from 15 to 40 minutes. Suitable for washing items that have not been heavily soiled and do not require pre-treatment;
• casual or daily. Designed for washing acrylic, polyester and polyamide fabrics. They are undemanding to care and wash quickly;
• economical (or economical) - the machine washes in the range of reduced consumption of water and electrical resources. At the same time, the cycle time is significantly longer.

How to find out how much resources SMA spends

There are several ways to determine the level of “hydration” of your assistant:

1. Instructions. Data on the efficiency of SM are indicated in the instructions. Find the "Consumption Indicators" or "Energy Indicators" section. In the table you will find the average consumption or specific for each mode.
2. Image. If you can’t look at the instructions, look for a sticker with parameters on the case. This could be a bright label on the front wall or a modest table on the back.

1. Own calculations. It is quite easy to calculate water consumption yourself. There is no need for integrals or complex formulas here. Take meter readings before washing (for example, 625) and after washing (for example, 665). Subtract the previous readings from the latest data: 665−625=40 liters. For the purity of the experiment, use the mode that you turn on most often. Do not open the taps during washing, do not drain from the tank, so as not to distort the result.

If the actual readings are much higher than those stated by the manufacturer, consult a specialist. There may be a technical problem.

The most economical brands

Experts identify the four most economical brands of washing machines:

• Hotpoint/Ariston AQS1D29. Italian made model. Its water consumption is 40 liters per 1 wash cycle. When the accelerated mode is activated, the consumption will be reduced to 34 l;
• Samsung WF60F1R2F2W. The average consumption of a Korean “washing machine” is 39 liters, with a drum volume of 6 kg. In super-fast wash mode, consumption can be reduced to 35 liters;
• Bosch WLG20265OE. A German machine, the average consumption of which is about 40 liters. When activating one of the programs, you can reduce water consumption to 36 liters;
• Siemens WS 10G240 OE. Resource consumption – 40 liters per cycle. If the unit is working well, you can use the fast mode, washing things efficiently.

Helpful advice! Thoughtless use of economical and fast modes can lead to damage to the laundry and the washing machine.

What affects water consumption?

To save on utilities, you need to explore the capabilities of the largest household consumer of liquid - the washing machine.

So, the reasons for overspending can be determined by the following factors:

• machine malfunction;
• wrong choice of program;
• irrational loading of laundry into the drum;
• unsuitable brand of car;
• unreasonably regularly resorting to additional rinsing.

Let's take a closer look at the most important points.

Selected programs

Each program performs its own functions, consuming different amounts of liquid during washing. Fast modes use the resource the least. The most wasteful program can be considered a program with a high temperature load, a long cycle and additional rinsing. Water savings may depend on:

• type of fabric;
• degree of filling of the drum (at full load, less water is used to wash each item);
• time of the entire process;
• number of rinses.

Several programs can be called economical.

Quick wash. It is performed at a temperature of 30ºC and lasts from 15 to 40 minutes (depending on the type of machine). It is not intense, so it is suitable for lightly soiled laundry.

Delicate. The whole process lasts 25-40 minutes

This mode is designed for washing fabrics that require special care.

Manual. Has short cycles with periodic stops.

Daily

The program is used to maintain synthetic fabrics that are easy to wash. The whole process takes no more than 40 minutes.

Economical. Some machines have such a program. It contains a mechanism for minimal consumption of water and electricity resources, but at the same time the complete washing process takes a long time, during which it is possible to wash the laundry well with minimal resource costs.

As an opposite example, programs with increased fluid intake can be cited.

• “Baby clothes” involves prolonged, repeated rinsing.
• “Health care” also requires a large consumption of water during intensive rinsing.
• The “Cotton” mode involves prolonged washing at high temperatures.

Car make

The more modern the car, the more economically resources are used, since designers are constantly working to improve models. For example, today many washing machines have a laundry weighing function, which helps to automatically calculate the required liquid consumption in each specific case. Many car brands are trying to provide economical modes.

Each brand has its own water consumption for washing in a tank with a capacity of, for example, 5 liters. When purchasing, you can study the technical data sheet of each model you are interested in to find out which one consumes less fluid.

Drum loading

If your family consists of up to 4 people, you should not take a car with a large-capacity tank, because it will require an impressive volume of water.

When a full load is loaded, a little liquid is used to wash each item. If you wash small amounts of laundry, but often, your water consumption will increase noticeably.

Equipment malfunction

Various types of breakdowns can lead to improper filling of the tank.

• Failure of the liquid level sensor.
• If the fill valve breaks down, water flows continuously even with the engine turned off.
• If the fluid flow regulator is faulty.
• If the car was transported lying down (horizontally), then even at the first connection problems may arise due to a malfunction of the relay.
• Incorrect connection of the machine also often causes underfilling or overflowing of liquid into the tank.

Electricity consumption

The amount of electricity used is determined by the following indicators:

• unit power;
• selection of modes that ensure rational consumption of resources.

The efficiency characteristics of the equipment are indicated in the energy consumption class. It is recommended to choose class A products, perhaps with one or two pluses, or B.

The specified equipment consumes on average from 0.8 to 1 kWh during one operation. During one wash, the power ranges from 300 W to 2 kW, depending on the selected mode and unit parameters.

Approximate calculation of energy consumption for 2 weekly washes of 3 full cycles per week for a machine that spends 1 kWh per full cycle:

• 6 kWh will be consumed in a week;
• per month – up to 25 kWh;
• the cost of electricity used per month by an automatic machine, at a tariff of 3 rubles. is: 25*3=75 rub.

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The calculated indicators may differ depending on the intensity of use of the equipment and the degree of soiling of the laundry, which affects the choice of mode.