High-Efficiency Washers vs. Regular Washers
You can easily identify a high-efficiency washer by looking for the HE logo on the appliance. Front-load washing machines are typically HE models, while top-load washing machines are either regular washers or HE washers. High-efficiency washers and standard washers clean clothes in different ways:
- Unlike a standard washer, an HE washer relies on low water levels and water spray to clean and rinse your laundry.
- A standard top-load washer has an agitator that turns back and forth, generating friction with the laundry to loosen dirt. Many HE washers use an impeller, a disc at the bottom of the tub that works in a lower water level, churning the pieces of laundry together to release dirt.
You can also find HE top-load washers with agitators for deep-water washes.
Benefits of a High-Efficiency Washer
High-efficiency washers offer a few benefits over traditional washers:
- Water Usage: Top-load HE washers use less water than comparable standard top-load washers. HE washers typically have a sensor system that determines the necessary amount of water for each load.
- Energy Usage: Less water means top-load HE washers use less energy to heat the water than comparable standard washers.
- Capacity: HE washers that rely on an impeller rather than an agitator can wash larger loads than comparable agitator washers.
- Wear and Tear on Laundry: Since an HE washer with an impeller creates friction for cleaning between the laundry items rather than the friction of the laundry against the hard surface of an agitator, there’s less wear on your laundry.
- Drying: HE washers have a more efficient spin cycle, so laundry typically holds less water when it comes out of an HE washer. This can translate to less time in the dryer.
Using an HE Washing Machine
Despite the differences, you load and operate an HE washer just as you would any washer:
- Add the HE detergent.
- Sort and load the laundry.
- Select your cycle and start the washer.
- Once the cycle is complete, remove the laundry.
- If you aren’t washing another load, leave the washer door open to allow it to dry fully.
- Run a cleaning cycle periodically based on the manufacturer recommendations.
Since it cleans with less water, an HE washer usually takes longer to clean a load of laundry than a standard washer.
HE Washer Specifications and Features
Aside from the features that make HE washers high-efficiency appliances, top-load and front load HE washers typically have specifications and features similar to those available on standard washers:
- Capacity options run from around 1.5 cu ft for some all-in-one washer/dryer models up to 5 cu ft or more.
- HE washers are available in a wide range of sizes. You can find stackable HE washers that let you maximize your space.
- Available wash cycles vary by model but can include sanitary, large-item, quick-wash, steam, hand washable cycles and more.
- ENERGY STAR® certified HE washers meet guidelines that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set for energy efficiency.
You can also find HE washers that balance loads automatically, help with pet hair removal and models that are ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant. Take a look at our washing machine guide to get help in finding the capacity and features you need to choose the best HE washer for your family.
What Is HE Detergent?
HE washers require a high-efficiency detergent. HE detergent doesn’t create as many suds as standard detergent and this low-suds property works well for the low water levels in an HE washer. Standard detergent creates too many suds, requiring more water to rinse and reducing how efficiently the washer uses water. Excess suds can also reduce the cleaning action of the high-efficiency cleaning process. Look for an HE on the laundry detergent packaging or container to ensure you’re purchasing the correct detergent.
How Much Detergent to Use in an HE Washer
Start by making sure you’re using HE detergent. There are several factors that determine how much detergent you need in an HE washer:
- Check the package instructions for the amount of detergent necessary for your load size, based on the type of detergent — liquid, powder or pods — you use.
- Factor in how dirty the laundry is. Heavily soiled items require more detergent.
- Hard water reduces the effectiveness of detergents, so if you have untreated hard water, you’ll also need to use more detergent.
Can You Use HE Detergent in Non-HE Washers?
You can use HE detergent in a regular washer, but since manufacturers formulate HE detergent for low water levels, you’ll likely need to use a bit more in a standard washer. The detergent won’t create as many suds as regular detergent but when you use it correctly it can clean effectively.
Find the Best HE Washer for Your Family
Not sure which HE washer is best for you? When you shop for high-efficiency washing machines on Lowes.com, you can filter the appliances by brand, size, capacity, features, available cycles and more to find the perfect match for your home and your family. When you browse HE washers at your local Lowe’s, an associate can give you the information you need to find a washer to make doing the laundry easier and more efficient.