HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Benifit Program TDPUD Staff Report
December 9, 1999
To: Board of Directors
From: Scoff Terrell, Planning Director
Subject Public Benefit Program Additions for 2000
AGENDA #
Truckee Donner Public Utility District has an established Public Benefits Program and is
currently complying with AB1890's requirement to fund Public Benefit projects within TDPUD's
electric service area. One of the main components of TDPUD's Public Benefits Program is
offering cash incentives to TDPUD's electric customers who incorporate energy-efficient
measures into their buildings or purchase and use high efficiency electric space and water
heating appliances.
Currently, the District offers a 5% cash incentive for electric customers who install specified
energy-efficient measures into their homes or businesses. Also, the maximum rebate a
customer can receive per building on this program currently is $400. These measures include
adding insulation to floors, walls and ceilings; converting window areas from single to double-
pane windows; and reducing air leakage in the building envelope and/or the central air/heating
distribution system. Although there has been some activity in this program area, about 20
participants, staff feels that the 5% level does not do much to change a consumer's purchasing
behavior. Many of these participants may have installed the measures without the incentive.
Staff believes an increase to 10% would result in more program activity occurring as a result of
the incentive. Staff would also like to raise the cash incentive maximum from $400 to $500 per
building. Staff would like this incentive to be retroactive to include customers who have already
applied to the program back to January 1, 1998.
Some clothes washer manufacturers have developed new models or improved old clothes
washer models that are superior to their old line. These new design changes have resulted in
lower water use, higher energy efficiency as well as other benefits like less wear on clothes,
cleaner clothes, etc. (see attached Consumer Reports article). The majority of clothes washers
still being sold are standard models and not energy or water-efficient. Many utilities around the
country offer cash incentives to customers who purchase more energy and water-efficient
clothes washers. Most of the new, high efficiency and low water using clothes washers are the
new horizontal-axis, front-loading types. There are also a handful of energy and water-efficient
top loading models too. Staff would like to see TDPUD offer a $50-$100 cash rebate per
"qualified" clothes washer to encourage TDPUD customers to purchase these water and energy
saving clothes washers. Attached is a list of models proposed to qualify for a clothes washer
cash rebate program and their proposed rebate levels. Staff would like this incentive to be
retroactive to include customers who have purchased a qualifying model as early as January 1,
1998.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Board authorize the District to provide a customer cash incentive of
$50 or $100 for energy-efficient and lower water-using clothes washers and to raise the building
energy efficiency measures cash incentive from a maximum of $400 to $500 per building and to
raise the building energy efficiency cash rebate incentive from 5% to 10% to purchase and
install these measures.
Truckee Donner Public Utility District
1998-2000 Clothes Washer
Program Eligibility List
TYPE BRAND MODELS REBATE$
Top-Loading Fisher& Paykel GWL08 50
Top-Loading Kenmore 28912 50
Top-Loading Kenmore 29962 100
Top-Loading Maytag MAV6000AWW 50
Top-Loading Maytag PAV3200AWW 50
Top-Loading Roper RAS8245EW 50
Top-Loading Roper RAX7244EQ 50
Top-Loading Speed Queen LWS55AW 50
Top-Loading Staber HXW2302/HXW2303 50
Top-Loading Whirlpool LSW9245EQ 100
Top-Loading Whirlpool GSL9365EQ 50
Top-Loading White-Westinghouse MWS445RFS 50
Front-Loading Asko W600/W620 100
Front-Loading Asko 10505/11505/12505/13605 100
Front-Loading Asko W640NV660 100
Front-Loading Asko 20605 100
Front-Loading Bosch WFK2401 LIC 100
Front-Loading Equator EZ3600CEE 100
Front-Loading Frigidaire 39012/39022 100
Front-Loading Frigidaire FWTR445RF/FWT445GE 100
Front-Loading Frigidaire FWT449GF 100
Front-Loading General Electric WSXH208T/WSXH208V 100
Front-Loading Gibson GWT445RFS/GWT445RG 100
Front-Loading Kenmore 29042/29052 100
Front-Loading Maytag MAH3000/MAH4000 100
Front-Loading Maytag MHW2000 100
Front-Loading Maytag MLE2000 100
Front-Loading Maytag MLG2000 100
Front-Loading jMiele W1903/W1918/W1926/W1930 100
Front-Loading ISplendide WDC1025MCEE 100
Spin cit
RATINGS OF WASHING MACHINES AND CLOTHES DRYERS.
—at least 30 percent of purchasers, by one estimate—
lot of people
buy a washer and dryer together. Such a joint purchase can ensure
Athat the two appliances match in size and style.If both are front-load-
ing machines,you may be able to stack them to save space.You could also get
a better deal if you buy a matched pair—either a package price from the
manufacturer or a discount from your retailer for buying two machines.
Of course, replacing a washer and
�P° dryer at the same time may mean dis-
r
• Washers � 1� - carding at least one appliance that's still
. E �, be7mti
• Clothes ersf `' a e 34 in working order. Consider trying to
i ;:� p 3 donate astill-useful washer or dryer
Compacf,'`stackable European ' to a family member,:`friend, or non-
� >
washer dryer pans page 37' profit group(look'in the yellow pages
_giz � �` under`.`recycling"'Or"charities").
I
was
an hn
r
' 1N1 Was ability: Front-loaders save about 3,000 gallons of water and
get clothes clean by tumbling them so about$20 worth of electrical energy a
Top-loaders that claim to be frugal they rise near the'top of the tub and year compared with the least efficient
s' with water and energy. This year, then drop with a splat on the water top-loaders. -
some top-loading washing machines,. below. In a top-loader, clothes are A hidden element m.energy effi-
qualify for the Department of Energy's . circulated by an agitator.Both ways to ciency is the amount of water ex-
=.Energy Star certification,once awarded wash can yield very clean clothes.In tracted by the washer's`final spin—
exclusively to front-loading models. " deed,all the machines we tested washed and therefore not left for the dryer to
But our tests of two certified top-load- at least very well except the White- remove. The'top-loading Fisher d�
ers revealed some tarnish on their stars. Westinghouse MW5445RF, which we Paykel excelled in this department;the
More rebate programs.,Where judged merely good in washing, front-loaders were very good,and the
once such programs were mostly in Water and energy efficiency.No other top-loaders only good.
the West, now some utilities in at top-loader could match the front- Water levels. Front-loaders (and
least 15 states across the country offer loaders for miserliness with both water the top-loading Fisher dr PaykeV set
rebates of$50 to$300 to consumers and energy—even the Kenmore and these automatically, freeing you of
who buy a washer that bears the Whirlpool Resource Saver models.The guesswork.Next best,in our view,a
Energy Star certification. re
Resource Savers were sparing with top-loaders that can be set for four or
"Hand washing" cycles. There's water—their spray rinse cuts the vol- more levels, probably providing as
more emphasis on cycles described as ume of rinse water by half—but not much flexibility as anyone would
being gentle as hand washing. (We necessarily with energy (see "Who need. (If you always wash a full load
test the regular washing cycle only.) Gets an Energy Star?"on page 31). set to the maximum water level,hav-
"'°' How frugal are the most efficient ing fewer water-level settings may not
,,. machines,like all the front-loaders we concern you.)
Here are the key features and attri- tested? When used with an electric Water temperatures. Most ma-
butes that matter the most in a water heater to wash about six loads of chines establish water temperatures by
washing machine: laundry a week, we calculate they'd mixing hot and cold water in preset
30 CONSUMER REPORTS JULY 1999
ENVIRONMENT ;
.................................................
Who geft an FI My aw?
The Department of En 'orgy s Energy Star �
artiflcatim recagnlm washers that are
markOft moro set than others-even,
R seems,M a washer cats energy mainly by
adting the temperature of its wash water.
The Iro�bst temperature for a regular wash cycle
for the certified Resew"Ssrsrtop-loaders Is
about 100'F,which Is more like the warm wash
temperatte b some machines.Fora hotterwash,
you most select s hot
f return to the washer a wash o�)
cycle.The$avers'only other wash temperature
6ehseen lW and"cold"Is a nlafireiy cool 75'.
ResoenceSnW@wnsrs:
who favor hotter water might
well select a 1 W wash for a.
loads tlny'd hot wash on
rm wa aad the hot prgwoob '
;. for baft they'd customar*
wash on hot.Result:6rsr�
amunpgon much Noe thatof ant►otlnr terisader.
Araiher note on energy labeling:Whee reading ' {;
the ydlow BwV onkle sudmi on washers,Wsbod z
to Ignore the stab,which Compares mdy w th-
Indent
flgu
and osUmaisd enrol III eraling cost,keeping In
mind the respecu"CapaCitles of the washers. '
cleaning laundry,but die front-loaders a Pp:
as a group were more energy efficient
and a bit more gentle in the regular
cycle., Even ;without the rebates
often available with efficient washing '
machines, 'the% best _front-loaders J,.
we tested may make economic sense. !
The top-scoring, essentially similar
ro ortions'If g _ Kenmore 2904, $800, Frigidaire
P P your mcomm cold o a brie more water from the wash. FWI'R44SRF, $700, and GE Space-
C
apacity.is especially cold(as in winter), Capacity.As a rule,this varies only maker WSXH208T,$720,are super-automatic temperature controls on a little among full-sized washers.The lative washers. They offer excellent some machines adjust the.flow so few.tested models.that scored very washing,fine efficiency,and low noise that the machine's "warm", water good in capacity will hold several The other frill-sized front-loader tested
won't be too cool or the "cold" fewer items per full load than the other is the Maytag Neptune MAH4000A,
water too cold:(Detergents may not machines,which all scored excellent $1,100,a fine but expensive performer.
dissolve well in very cold wash water.) Tubs and surfaces.A porcelain- One caveat about front-loaders:
'= Wash and spin settings. Most coated steel tub may rust if die
ely few of
our readers
washers automatically set the wash lain chips or if water sits in the tub yet own thesecause vwashers,we lack suffi-
speed according to the fabric cycle too long.A stainless-steel or plastic tub cient data to provide a repair history
selected. Most machines also doesn't present the same problem. for them, as we do for top-loading
provide at least three wash spin Most machines also have a painted sur- washers(see page 3 3).
speed combinations, generally for face,which is easily scratched.A porce- The best top-loaders we tested cost
"regular"(or"cotton"),"permanent lain-coated top surface is preferable. at least$100 less than the front-loaders,
press," and "delicate" (or "gentle") Detergents. Regular detergents but you'll eventually lose at least part f cycles.For better or worse,depend- can suds too much in a front-loader, of that saving in higher energy bills.
ing on how much control you want inhibiting the machine's cleaning and The top-scoring Kenmore 2891,$580,
over your wash,many top-loaders we rinsing action. Special front-loader offers fine value nonetheless. Many' tested offer four or five wash/spin detergents,including Tide HE and GE top-loaders also scored well,but
speed combinations for greater Wisk HE,are available most places note that Kenmore top-loading wash-
flexibility. Many models allow you you'll find regular detergent. ere have been more reliable than
to tack on an extra rinse to the cycle, ;. � GE top-loaders in recent years. (See
which may be useful if you're sensitive ._._ IMp01N1et 70 �« .�_ page 37 for test results on front-loading
to detergent,or to extend the final spin We found both front-loaders and European compact washers.) m
a few minutes—a feature that extracted top-loaders that did a fine b of
1 Turn page for Ratings
HatingsgWashinmach'Ines
&Recommendations Most models have.•Bleach and fabric-softener
dispenser.•Painted cabinet top and lid.•A 120-
volt outlet requirement•1-yr.warranty on parts
and labor.•Wash and spin speeds that are auto-
matically chosen depending on the cycle being
Good,performance is almost a given Consider rebates and operating eosrts run.•Self-cleaning lint-fi[ter systems.•Wash/rinse
temperature settings of hot/cold,warm/cold,and
practically any washing machine washes well. Top-loaders cost less to buy,but front-load- cold/cold.• Either a warm rinse setting or an
Differences in washing prowess shouldn't be ers are more efficient.Also,all front-loaders auto-temperature-controlled cold rinse.1 a key buying consideration—with the excep- qualify for utility-company rebates offered in
tion of a few mediocre models,such as the some parts of the country,where only a hand-
Wbite-"mirigbotrse MW544SRF we tested, ful of top-loaders do so. . ftllt-108d1ng models
All machines:•Handle unbalanced loads better
_ than top-loaders.•Have an automatic water-
yJP�hated in order ofoaetall score ,' level setting.•Have a door that locks while in
N11 Brand and modei operation. • Have a stainless-steel inner tub.
Washing capa—city •Have a detergent dispenser.•For better perfor-
ability
® mance,should be used with front-loader deter-
gent•Were very good at extracting water from
ea a00 our test loads.•Water used is for the normal
FRoxr-LOAogts MooEl cycle,with a machine's maximum load at the
.Kenmore(Sears)2904[2] i800 O O e O o maximum water setting,.•..Times are the maxi
s° � Frlgidairs FWTR445RF[S] 900 mum for the normal cycle.•Size(height by width
General O O e O O by depth)Is rounded up to the nearest inch r
! WSXH2O8T[[WWWI?acemaker 720ant O O e O O
: '' Maytag Neptune MAH4000A 1 100 M)2fiO4�SM +
[WW).
e o .
e O O •36x27x3o in.(as in with door open)
TOP-WAWNB MtKIELE
--{ Kesmon(Sears)2891[2] 580 Ff,
.� o o e o e y F+l fwriaasflf s7oo
r, Kenmore(Sears)Resource Saver': •4Z d7x27 m 45 in wrth door open)
299612] 600O O O.
wnorto s72o
j Prf file
O OQ Q 45 480 �3m( meorman WPSral Electric F4170W[WW] O with door o'pen
General Electric Profile Excellent and_quiat performers,differing mostly m ` 'y
WPSR4130W[WWI 470 O O o 1, Q O „ 'coatanhtandefetirdnorleatures.� r
€ KKchawd Superba KAWS850G[0] ,,550 WASHING NOTES•Extra.rinse setting and a timed
e O O O :`; O bleach dispenser(but be careful not to overfill or
' .'LSW9245E(p urce Saver i-'S50 e O bleach may flow"onto thydry•,Ioad1.• In certain
O C e cycles,theyWi use a cold rinse even when set for a
—1 Fisher 8 Paykel GWLOS 800 e O G o e warm une the Kenmorehes a`fast spin"setting;
1�. Maytag MAv6000A[WWI :remove`d more water from clothes,than the others.
640 e O e O Q : ,�3O gallons of water,50 minutes"CONVENIENCE
i General Electric Profile
r WPSR31 WW - .:390 NOTES. End of=cycle signal(may be fumed off on
: [ 1 O O O O Q r F,the iwgrdarrearia GE) Weterpools on bottom of
i { Whirlpool Gold GSL9365E[O] ,_480 O o ? door gasket and mayspill onto floor.•Frigidaire has
^I !*
O G e rear-console controls,like a top-loader,you can't
Amens LWA60A A 450.
e o o O O ""stack s'dry'er on top.`SIMILAR MODELS.Frigidaire
r . Am me LWA20A[Wl 420 e O O Q o FWT449G) s700,and Gibson GWT443RG[L VW,
Maytag Perfonna PAV3200A[WW] ,:,430 O e ;both with front controls;Kenmore29WL$8W,rear-
O G e console controls..MATCHING,STACKING DRYER.•
_. Speed Oaeen LWS55A[W] , 440. � _ �� '
€ To Kenmore:63104[Z 78X[Z both were available too
)v Roper RAS824SE[W] . 370 O o G O late for ourtestmg. t +1�+ :€ ;
te` Fdgldalrs FWS645GF[S],.:: -350 G :, O
e o 0 0 0 ,, p N�pdna iwuaooar lwwj1
y !v- Roper RAX7244E[0]
White-Westin house o•' e O Q Q 51,100
1 MwS445RF[Spj 340 O An excellent performer,but expensive.
e O 4.43x27x30 in.(52 in.with door open)
WASHING N0TES**Extra rinse setting,extended—
The t9SU behind th@ R On models that didn't set the fill level atrtcmab spin option,and timed bleach dispenser.-In certain
8fhlg$ cally,we used the lowest fill setting that got the T, cycles,it will use a cold rinse even when set for
Overall score is based mainly on washing ability, job done for the eight-pound load. We then warm one.• More gentle than most on regular
efficiency,and noise.We loaded the washers calculated water used per pound of clothing. <' cycle.•27 gallons of water,65 minutes. CONVE-
th•eightpounds of mixed cotton items,includ Ens efficiency g NIENCE NOTES.•End-of-cycle signal that can be
with-eight
ncy is based on the energy needed turned off,delay-wash feature,rear-console con-
swatches stained with various types of soil, to heat the water for both eight-pound and trols(like a top•loader,you can't stack a dryer on
then ran the machines using 1200 F water.(The maximum loads,for a 100•wash and cold rinse. top),and the inner tub is angled for easier access.
Resource Saver models from.Kenmore and (We consider bath gas and electric
Whirlpool were run at 100•,the maximum for a water heaters, and include the The door can be switched from left to right-open-
regular cycle).By Measuring the color change of electricity needed to run the E„e�aret •Porcela n t Water op.MATCHING DRYER(ls an bottom of doordoesn't stack):
the washed swatches,we gauged washing abil- washer.)A group of sensory pan- a Very yua MDE40M4[I$550;see page 36.
ity.Capacity is based on how well clothes could elists judged the noise made by
circulate in increasingly large loads.Washers each machine.In brand and model, Q G..d Towkwding modek with excellent capacity could circulate several brackets indicate where you will Most models:•Have three wash/spin combine-
more items of clothing than those with very good find a machine's color code(shown 0 r+lr
1 capacity. We determined water efficien y by here for the tested model).Price lions.•Have porcelain-coated rear legs.
steel inner tub.
measuring the water it took to wash our eight- is the estimated average,based on Pier Have self-leveling rear legs.•Are 42 to 43 in.
pound load and each machine's maximum load. a national survey. high,26to 27 in.wide,and 28 to 30 in.deep(with
hose attached).•Have a normal-wash-cycle time
32 ► Can't find 8 MOM?Contact the manufacturer.See page 60.
i
of between 37 and 49 minutes(maximum wash i relatively cool wash temperamre:• ; jgr
for time).•Use between 37 and 47 gallons of water WASHING NOTES•Spray rinse saves water(uses A good pS eBW Qum LWW Pq�
mum load.it normal cycle,maximum fill,with its maxi- about 30 gallons of water per normal cycle,come
mum •Performed well in our extractiontest z pared with at least 37 for most top-loaders) but i WASHING NOTES:•Has a continuously variable
means you can't use fabric softener.•Wash tem- water-level control,an extra-rinse setting,and han-
A KarMtrofe(Sears)'t891[2]$580 perature controlled automatically,but cooler than died unbalanced loads better than many top-load-
Avery good pedormer. i most-75°or 100°F.To do a hotter wash,you must ors.•Has only 2 wash/spin combinations.ALSO:
WASHINGNOTES•Selectableautomatictem era : select a prewash cycle and then return to the Has a stainless-steelinnertub.
tune control.• Extra-rinse setting.•4 selectautomablete
: machine to initiate a wash or rinse cycle-an '
tune control.
combinations. • Continuous) variable : inconvenience. Has 3 selectable wash/spin com y RAWAR[M�$370
Y i binations and a 5-step water level control.MA TCH_ a A good machine,but worse than most for water and
water-level control.ALSO.••The lid opens left and ING DRYER.•LEL88ME[I$420;seepage36. - energyefficien
doesn't lie flat SIMILAR MODELS.2691,$600;209Z cy.
$6W'MATCHING DRYERS'6790 11,$W,779011 of �&f��� WASHING NOTES: • Has a 5-step water-level
$5%,see page 36. .• S control and 3 wash/spin combinations.MATCH-
A very pond,feature-laden,and expensive per ING DRYER.•RES7648E,$320,see our March 1997
Karartore[Saar:)Resells�1t� formorirom NewZsaland. .'_ rt n, report
' 2986[2]$600 *' s WASHING NOTES.*Best model at removing water i
A very good Performer•Certified fir an Energy Star, from loads m final spin:could reduce, drying s 456F[S]$350
though it saves energy only N you settle for rein a expense and time:•Has automatic temperature .A good machine,but from one of the Iess reliable
Only control;selectable automatic water-level control,5 bands oftop-loedbr.°'
,.cool wash tempersUwes a manual water levels,5 defauftwash/spin combine
WASHING NOTES,' Has a continuously variable
WASHING NOTES Spray rinse saves water.(uses 's lions for'the 5 cycles(more are possible by select about30ga0onsofwaterpernormalcycle,compared. ; frig a.different spin speed},and a"watersayet" wet .-1 1'
er eve control,4 selectable wash/spin speed '
with'atlasA37formosttop-loaders)butmeansyou modethet,replacesadeeprinsewithas spray rinse'•' combinations ALSO;•-Hasa plastic inner tub.
can'tuse fabnc'softener:�WishIomperstures con (but still scored only fair in water efficiency)Y9 Can, ; • Lid locks during_spin., SIMILAR MODELS:
trolled automatically;but coolorthan most-75•or be programmed for 2 deep rinses in some c cles S747Rf(J$370 FyyS845Gf(J$430•MATCHING
100°F.To do a hotter wash,you must select a pre CONVENIENCE, NOTES; Electronic:•to eye a . DRYER-fDE648Gffl$310 see page 3&
wash cycle and the retum to,the machine to min controls;marry programmable features,,*Has an -
ate a wash or rinse cycl"ri inconvenience.•Has `end-of=cycle signal that can be'timed ff,and a' R ��SM 4selectoblewashtspin combinations and acontinu delay-�eshfeature.ALSO•Stainlesssteeli,'andaer Ago�!��me.
ously variable water level control MATCHING ORY •Measures a compact 40x26x21 kk•2 warramy ; `WASHING NOTES.-Has a 4-step water level control
ERS 685t?(JS580 7893 156A.s hznpagea MATCH/NGDR1EkDE0KS550 see a 36
, ee 36 4 p g : and 2 wash/spin combinations.•Uses only about-
3 6E PIOIKa padarlasllce WpSp4170Wy. A��a a'�rr 33 gallons of water(normal cycle,maximum fill)."
�, =,•-r r . Y ,° ,�., ' Averylpodperforarer ,� , _ ��] (, •-
$470 NOTE rmnu d
6E ,Prosl�a YYPSIi413OW[WWJ 4 WASHING S•Has s o o sjy i�a�riable r'k" $340 W �r 7 } - :.;'
t�PrsIMIIYPSR3100W[1NWJ$390 water-level control and ah'extra-rinse setting: Agoodmachine,butworsethaomostior i
Ve " "ALSO:s The front edge of the cabinet is angled ;' ►9Y slfieisncy �_ _; * ; .a,.,t• ,.waterand
ry good rric-hines,biit 6E has been one of the for ad easier reach into the tub.'*Has e'plastic WASHING NOTES•
less reliable brands`of top-loader.'The'Pronle inner and a porcelain'top_and lid:MATCHING Hasa continuously variable
FAsr/on som model is's bit quieter;has different : water-level,control,': plastic, i
controls,and offers a few more DRYERS•MDE6M11$500;MDGW00A[1$550; - P rimer tub, and 2
met }'- ;"see`pege 36 a wash/spin combinations ALSO•,Lid locks during
WASHING NOTES:•The.WPSF417OW and WPSR +�, r , spin. AVAILABILITY Discontinued. SIMILAR:
4130Whave automatic temperature control,and all : it''. W ill*oW Will�>9S65E[Q�'gggp WWS445RRJS360
r
have an extra rinse setting.*All handled unbalanced c Avery good performer.
loads better'than'
many' top-loaders: • The
hK ,
WPSF417OWhas an extended-spin setting(but still WASHING NOTES:•Has selectable automatic tam
good performance in our extraction test),and a con ;'.PBfBture control, an extra-rinse'setting; 5-step' T
tinuously variable water-level control. • Its 3 ; water-level control,and 3wash/spin combinations:.
wash/spin W combinations are built into the cycle. nal that clan be tum d off and mechanic ENCE NOTES,*Hasin I toucih The graph' fie :the percentage" loadin
• The WPSR4130W has 4 selectable was p g.
combinations and a continuously variable water i,pads for setting some options a washing machines`purchased navy. between
level control.r The WPSR310OW has 3 selectable 1992 and 1998 thatwere ever repaired orthat had
combinations,a 4-step water level control,and no i MMM LWA60A[Mfl$450 a serious problem that was not repaired. A E'
warm rinse.CONVEN/ENCENOTES:•Color-coded brand's repair history includes many models and
E 10- Antoine LWA20A[w]$420 .controls.*The WPSF417OWhasmechanicaltouch ° can't anticipate design or manufacturing
pad controls and an end-of-cycle signal that can be Very good performers.The LWA694 offers'a lot ? changes.Still,we think you should improve your
turned off. ALSO:• Plastic inner tub. SIMILAR ? more washing flexibility for a little extra money. chances of getting a trouble-free washing
MODELS,To WPSF41701#11:WPSF5I70W(J$520. i WASHING NOTES:• Both have a continuously '. machine by buying a brand that has been reliable
To WPSR310 W(J.•WPSR3120W(J$930 adds aura variable water-level control and handled unbal- in the past
temperature control and a warm rinse.MATCHING 6 anced loads better than many top-loaders.•The s
DRYERS-TO WPSF4I70W(kDPSF495EW1J$440,and L WA60A has 4 selectable wash/spin combinations i F.r °p—s end ie1oi`°'°�'°""
DPSF495GW(J$49Qsee page36. and an extra-rinse setting.•The LWA20has only Roper —a r
i 1 wash/spin combination and no warm rinse.ALSO.• Whirlpool
11 " Ki1d O"M SuPlIft KAWSBM[Q]$550 •Both have a stainless-steel inner tub.AVAILABIL- c
A very good performer, and the quietest top- ITY.•LWA6a4 is discontinued.SIMILAR to LWA6OA Maytag
loadertested. LWA6541L$520. Amana
WASHING NOTES.•Has a continuously variableft Kenmore(Sears)
water-level control,selectable automatic tempera- y7 PAY3Y810Am KitchenAid f
tune control,an extra-rinse setting,and 5 wash/spin ]$430 White Westinghouse
combinations.ALSO:•Has an end-of-cycle signal that A very good performer. Hotpoint
can be turned off.•Porcelain top and lid.MATCH- a WASHING NOTES.••Has a continuously variable General Electric
ING DRYER.KEYS850G[L$480;see page 36. water-level control,3 selectable wasWspin combin- Fdgidalre
ations,and an extra-rinse setting.CONVENIENCE
10 �Saber a NOTES•Its cycle dial finis and adjusts smoothly. i o% 5% to% ts% 2096
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A very good performer. Certified for an Energy PYE32M4[J,$360.See Recommendations,page 35. Annual Questionnaire and have been ansared for ar►eren oss
Star,though it saves energy only if you settle for c ? due to age and usage.Differences of less;than 4 percentage
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