Washing machines are an essential everyday appliance. They are also however very electricity hungry! There are some pretty frightening statistics which relate to washing machines. Here are just a few:-

The average washing machine is responsible for 90 kilogrammes of greenhouse gases per year just from the energy needed to run it. A further 475 kilogrammes is added on for hot water if you do not use cold washes. If your washing machine is one of the combi types that also dries you can chuck an extra 150 kilogrammes on that.

Luckily pressures brought about by changes in EU legisaltion has resulted in a drop of almost a third in energy and water consumption by washing machines. The EU energy labelling system has encouraged manufactueres to make their goods efficient enough to get the highest levels of energy certification. Always looks for appliances which have an “A” rating.

The basic concept of a washing machine is that it mixes your clothes with a cleaning agent to remove dirt and grime.  The mixing of your clothes, water and detergergent is achieved by using not one but two drums one which fits concetrically in the other. These spin at variious rates from slow (washing) to fast (rinsing).  When you open the front of your washing machine you are looking inside the inner drum.  The holes which are used to drain the water through are clearly visible.  The drums form the most important components of the washing machine. Other components include a thermostat to regulate water temperature and a heating element.  A pump is used to fill and drain the washing machine.