Clothes Washer Specifications
- Washing machines can have different specifications.Jack Wild/Stockbyte/Getty Images
Clothes washer specifications must often meet a number of standards to handle different loads of laundry. Specs can include anything from weight load bearing to gallons or water or energy used while powered on. Standard washing machine specs may also vary against more ecofriendly appliances in the energy consumed and water usage. - Standard machines' specs may not vary in the amount of water used in different washing cycles. According to F Tex, normal, delicate or permanent press washes require approximately 18 gallons of water and require final spin times of between four to six minutes. Standard spin speeds for normal washes operate at approximately 645 rotations per minute, while delicate and permanent press cycles require 430 rotations of spin. Exhaust temperatures for normal and permanent press cycles are maintained at 66 degrees Celsius and cool down times for all cycle's measures at 10 minutes and 20 seconds.
- Energy saving washing machines are designed to clean clothes effectively while consuming less power. According to Solar Direct, energy efficient machines function with less water than standard machines. Normal, delicate and permanent press cycles all operate with between 12 and 16 gallons of water. Additionally, a maximum of five amps of energy are used during washing periods and spin cycles operate on two amps. A machine which can hold 18 pounds of clothes usually measures 27 inches wide and 42 inches tall. A machine this size--without holding water or clothes--weighs approximately 175 pounds.
- Machines possessing Energy Star certification must meet other sets of standards. Energy Star products, according to the company website, use less energy and are specifically recommended by the U.S. Department of Energy. Energy Star products "must use about 30 percent less energy and use over 50 percent less water than regular washers." Additionally, only machines that load from the top or front of the machine can be considered for Energy Star certification.
