First, I don't KNOW what a High Efficiency Washing Machine is so I will eliminate that from my conversation except to say that I am skeptical of all marketing ads. I am presuming the lessons I learned are similar on those machines as well. (Poor quality photo on white background)
In January, my old standard top-loading washing machine quit - it was all of 10 years old. I live far out from major cities, so our choices are fewer, we have to eventually pay for the overall freight, but I did expect the Hotpoint top-loading machine, made by GE, would wash my clothes. I don't want the latest and greatest, nor one with gizmos that break, I just wanted a machine to wash my clothing. No, I did not ask many questions - the salesman doesn't know about washing clothes and the Instruction Booklet is inside a sealed packet.) And, who would EVER think of asking such questions that I was about to learn?????) Yes, I had to pay ... how much???? $560.00 and that is with $100.00 off? It was one of the lower priced units, nothing fancy, but I presumed it would wash my clothing.
OK, installed, ready to go, reading the booklet and was surprised at the instructions speaking about "new method", "new technology" - "always a scarey term), "quieter", uh oh. I set it on WARM water, other dial on Medium load. I moved the cheap dial "load size" halfway between Heavy and Small but nothing would start until I turned it even past SMALL. The dial is sloppy, no incremental clicks to it - Impossible to indicate where Medium is. hmmmm to myself. As I was leaning over putting in the clothes, the open lid fell down on my face/nose, knocking my glasses into the washer. Yikes - that hurt! Nope, no method to HOLD it open. It "teeters" unsteadily. I need to hold it open for safety with one hand while using the other hand to load. Handy? If it falls on my hand or fingers, there will be physical damage. I can only imagine the damage to a child's hand!
Uh, the WARM water is really quite cold - hmmm, ???? OK, set it on HOT. Uh oh, it's not HOT at all, kinda tepid -- not even warm enough for a shower! TEPID. Perhaps I need to reread the instructions? Water from the neighboring laundry tub is plenty HOT and robust as it comes from the tap - same plumbing line. Not HOT in the washer, and taking a very long time to fill as it kinda trickles in.
OK, water level is set on Medium -- I have what I call a medium load, yet it started whirring when the water was barely visible above the clothes! And yes it is whirring, not sloshing, definitely not agitating, barely any action, no clothing turnover at all - I'd have more movement of clothing by hand washing!!! I added more water from the laundry tap, with a nearby bucket! After re-re-reading the instructions, it is definitely set on the "highest" level of washing action. I can only dread what the "gentle" or "permanent press" settings might be! CRAP! During this whirring action at one time it almost demonstrated a small bit of energy, for all of 9-11 actions. Yes, I counted how many times it moved faster - I won't call it agitating. Back and forth 9-11 times, but just sloshing, -- at NO time did it "agitate". This is NOT good ladies. I cannot believe it will clean any clothing at this rate. Fortunately we are just 2 Senior Citizens, not much mud in our home, no babies, no kids, little gardening, no greasy clothing, so I cannot answer the question, "does the washer get things clean?" Of further irritation is that for 20 years I have been using my own home-made washing soap, which saves me $120/yr over standard Tide, etc. I'm not sure what do to about that subject either.
Investigation via YouTube turns up this info - I am not alone with my complaints! "The "heat sensor, per EPA regulations, keeps the "HOT" water at 94 degrees. " Just try and take a shower with 94-degree water! Waaaay too cold! Additionally, this sensor limitation slows down the filling process, making the entire process much slower. I presume this "sensor" is on ALL newer washing machines if it is an EPA reg. There is some mumbo-jumbo advertising about "quieter" but yes, it's quieter because there is so little movement. And since it takes longer to fill, it is NOT quieter during filling time. which is longer than expected. I don't care about "quiet", I wanted clean clothing and I certainly expected hot water! The dial says HOT! The dial does not say "tepid"!
So --- EPA is telling us how to do our laundry. I have sorta solved this problem by filling 6-8 buckets of hot water from the nearby tap and pouring it into the washer. Handy, huh???? Will EPA be forcing the water heater companies how hot to allow the hot water heater?
And the last irritation - there is NO buzzer to indicate the load is DONE. I have never heard of a machine without a buzzer.
My final comment is to young women who are just starting housekeeping and think this poor level of quality is the norm. I am calling this washing machine "Pathetic". Really, Hot Point, you can do better!!!
Some of my friends said "take it back" but frankly I am now embarrassed and I believe from what I read, they all work this way.
I would welcome comments.
