Ah, well, you can't win 'em all!
And - talking of winning, I am now a happy, smiley, laundry washer. No longer do we have to start up the genny in order to run my power guzzling, 9 year old front loader, a Bosch washing machine - which consumed between 1500 and 2500watts / cycle depending on the programme and temperature I selected, and, on it's quickest programme, required 1 hour 20 minutes of genny noise, petrol expense and waiting time.
It frustrated the life out of me. So I went online to do some research - at both LG and Samsung's websites.
My mission? To find the lowest wattage automatic washing machine available in this country.
The result of a few hours of downloading .pdfs, comparing specifications and writing e-mails to suppliers in this country has resulted in the acquisition of a brand spanking new Samsung WA90G9 9kg top loader. A top loader means that I don't have to bend down so far to get the washing in or out of the machine - all good for a dicky back...
It was cheap too - only R2100.00 compared to the R3500 -> R4900.00 for other top or front loaders.
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| This is the Samsung WA90G9 top loader washing machine that we recently purchased |
It uses slightly more water than the Bosch did, but I have no problem with that as we have diverted the waste water outlet towards plants - so I view it as less gardening watering that I personally have to do.
Using the local Eco-Soft, an enviro-friendly, phosphate free, biodegradable washing powder, ensures that the plants won't be overcome with too many harmful chemicals.
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| The washing machine specifications |
We have only connected the cold water supply, so I always choose that setting.
A saving in time, and power / fuel / fuel cost - it's brilliant!
Isn't it exciting when you find and acquire the right tool for the job - especially when it's a job that must be done frequently? Congratulations :)
ReplyDeleteQuinn - I - ahem - am not an average housewife anymore... I do not believe that the world is going to end if I don't do a load of washing every day - once or twice a week is my average LOL. But, finding a machine that can run on our (limited) solar power system is, to me, the best outcome.
DeleteThat's an outstanding acquisition. We have a propane dryer and a regular washing machine, both Admiral brand. Since we only do maybe one load of wash a week they don't get much use. Your set up is more efficient because our waste water just goes out to the septic tank and then into the meadow.
ReplyDeleteWe've been having weather issues here too. I quit using satellite internet when they finally got DSL working on my telephone line, but while it's faster it isn't as reliable, at least not here.
Harry - You'd be surprised how much money can be saved by becoming aware of how much it is actually costing one to run each appliance...
DeleteAs far as your waste water is concerned - can you not divert your grey water (as opposed to the septic tank black water) to your garden thereby increasing the "usefulness" of that water?
That's quite a lower energy use! Good research. Hope it works well for many years.
ReplyDeleteMrs Mac- Thanks. Samsung has a very good name here, so I'm hoping that this could be the last washing machine I will ever have to buy again... :) Hoping being the operative word.
DeleteWonderful information and certainly worth looking into Dani! Just one question : What washing detergent do you use then? Doesn't the soap harm the plants and the soil?
ReplyDeleteMaree - Thanks. The cost of our electricity, world-wide, is never going to drop, so the less we "have" to use, the less we will have to empty our of our respective wallets :)
DeleteThe detergent I usse is eco Soft - as detailed above.
Always nice to find a great alternative. Congrats! Hope you have many good years of service.
ReplyDeleteSue - Thanks - so do I :)
DeleteYour attentive research sure paid off, Dani. What a great addition to your collection of low-energy LSDs (labor saving devices) that fit in to your lifestyle. Now, as for that 'dicky back' - how are things going in that department? Can you give us an update?
ReplyDeleteP.S. What is a 'fuzzy' cycle?
DeleteKris - One of the best purchases I have ever made.
DeleteThe "dicky back" - the numbness in my left foot has worn off, the pain is bearable, so I figure that I am being given "breathing space". But, I have to admit that I lost confidence in the specialist I saw - I was having bad side effect to the extended course of anti-inflammatories I was on, and called him to tell him I was going to stop taking them. He was unavailable, so I left a message for him to call me back. It took him a WEEK to do so. Not a confidence-building reaction as far as I'm concerned.
So - if, and when, my back "protests" again, I will be seeking the services of a specialist in Cape Town - a new specialist.
A fuzzy logic cycle in a washing machine, is one where the it might determine the length of a cycle or the amount of water used by evaluating the load of laundry with in-built sensors.
I know what it's like to have initial confidence with a new doctor only to have it dashed later on. Good luck with the one in Cape Town.
DeleteOh, the LOGIC is fuzzy. I thought it was the clothes... 8-)
What an adorable washing machine ! The fact that it sips power rather than drinks it like water, is a plus ! LOL Great job, Dani.
ReplyDeleteI hope your back is well again soon !
Jane - It''s a dinky little thing too - and deceptive. Given it's size, one wouldn't think it could take 9kgs :)
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