Back in January, I wrote about the difference between the various types of tumble dryers and how a heat pump can save a family money over time. At the end of my column, I prophetically said things came in threes, and I expected another appliance to go bust in the next couple of months.
While I didn’t say it out loud, my kitchen was certainly listening, because my washing machine gave up the ghost this week. Yet again, I went down the rabbit hole of the different types of replacement appliances.
There are now two distinct types of washing machines suitable for households and I’ve been able to do the research on these, so you don’t have to.
It used to be that a washing machine was a very simple appliance. I bought one, it did the job, and unless it started making a weird noise in the middle of the spin cycle, I didn’t have to worry about it all that much. But I live in a hard-water area, and, as an additional-needs family, there are certain jobs that are more repetitive — washing is one of them.
The washing machine has lived a very good life; it has worked and paid for itself many times over. On any given day, the washing machine typically runs at least twice, but often more so.
Combining the hard water with intensive use, the washing machine was bound to start groaning and creaking. It had been making a very odd whirring sound for the past several months, and despite taking apart the drains, under-repairing the drum and the seals, we knew it was on its last legs when it gave a motor error this week.
What’s the difference, and why would you want to buy an inverter motor? It turns out the inverter motor can not only save you money, but it also makes for a much quieter washing machine. Quieter is extremely important, particularly when washing machines in most Irish households sit in the kitchen. Unlike Kirstie Allsop, I don’t have a separate utility or boot room to place my washing machine in.
Traditional washing machines use something called a brush motor. It uses small carbon brushes that touch part of the motor as it spins — it’s a bit like a car engine. It helps ramp the washing machine drum up into a spin, and you can begin to hear its kind of whirring in the background when the spin cycle comes on. If the load isn’t balanced, it becomes a rattle, and that’s why you should always make sure that your washing machine is balanced by using a level.
An inverter motor, though, doesn’t use brushes at all. Instead, they rely on magnets and electronic controls to manage how fast the motor spins, and how much effort it uses. That makes for a much quieter washing machine.
The inverter motor also adapts to what’s in the drum — with a small load it uses less energy, a heavier load uses more. As it’s more responsive to the weight in the drum — over time this cuts down on energy consumption and saves you money.
When it comes to price, traditional washing machines are certainly cheaper. If you’re working on a tight budget, you’re naturally going to choose the cheaper washing machine. However, if you can stretch your budget a little bit higher, then you can afford an inverter motor machine, which may save you money in the long run.
Typically, inverter washing machines use between 10% to 20% less energy than a conventional washing machine. Over several years, that saving will certainly pay for itself.
Traditional washing machines have more parts and can be expensive to repair. An inverter washing machine has fewer parts, but it may be more complicated for repair because of those magnets, so make sure you buy a washing machine with a decent warranty either way.
When I started pricing washing machines, I was pleasantly surprised to discover both types of washing machines were within my budget price range, and I decided to go with an inverter. Boy, am I glad I did. My kitchen is so much quieter, although that could be because of replacing a bucketing machine rather than just purchasing a quieter washing machine. Either way, my household laundry is back in operation, and my laundry basket is beginning to empty once again.
Let’s say a prayer for my dishwasher next!
I’ve squirrelled some ambient food like packets of nuts or crackers and bottles of water along with battery packs for mobile phones and devices into the car. I’ve also added a first-aid kit and contingency supplies of medicines like painkillers and inhalers. When the winter rolls around, I’ll add some warm blankets and jackets to the stash.
I may never need the equipment again, but it only took one long car journey with hangry teens to help me learn my lesson.