Whirlpool Washing Machines
Review your Whirlpool Washer
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Whirlpool has an extensive line of front loading and top loading washing machines. The machines come in different load capacities and use several different washing methods including
steam powered washing and the direct inject system designed to eliminate pretreatments. About 70% of the machines are ENERGY STAR qualified and certified to meet the Department of Energy
guidelines for energy efficiency.
Whirlpool's History
Whirlpool began when Lou Upton invested in a manufacturing venture focused on household items in 1908. When the venture failed, he received the patents on a handheld washing machine
as the return on his investment. Upton took that patent and joined with other family members to create the Upton Machine Company in 1911. The company grew and merged with other companies
over the years, finally taking the name Whirlpool Corporation in 1949. Whirlpool continued growing and combining with other companies in the household appliance industry. Today Whirlpool
Corporation includes Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Amana, and several other major brands.
Special Features of Whirlpool Washing Machines
Among the features included on Whirlpool washers are the Direct Inject Wash System to eliminate pretreatment, a Sanitary cycle to kill germs and other microorganisms, 6th Sense Technology
to sense load levels, and Cushion Drum Rotation suspension to reduce noise and vibration.
The Direct Inject Wash System showers loads with concentrated detergent before the wash cycle begins. The centrifugal force of the spinning pulls the detergent into the fabric loaded in
the machine, providing a deeper clean than traditional systems and eliminating the need for pretreatment in most cases.
The Sanitary cycle removes 99.9% of the organisms in fabrics (according to Whirlpool tests). Washing machines with this feature are certified by the NSF to sanitize their contents.
The 6th Sense Technology system (also called the Automatic Water Level Control in some feature lists) senses the contents of a load and adjusts the water level and spin cycles to optimize
the wash action for those contents.
The Cushion Drum Rotation suspension system (also called the Innovative Suspension System in some feature lists) uses shock absorbers to cushion the inner drum of a front loading washing
machine reducing both vibration and noise. These reductions enable upper floor installation and remove the need for cement flooring.
Maintenance of Whirlpool Washing Machines
Whirlpool recommends regularly checking all hoses for bulges and bare spots. The average lifetime of washing machine hoses is approximately five years but some hoses may start to wear out
sooner. Installing new hoses regularly or at the first sign of problems helps prevent leaks and flooding.
Whirlpool also suggests turning off the water supply to your washing machine if it will be idle for more than two weeks. This prevents small problems from turning into major leaks that may
not be noticed when residents are on vacation or otherwise not checking the status of their laundry room.
According to Whirlpool, there is also a small risk of mold forming in water that doesn't drain out of the machine immediately. The risk of mold is higher in wet areas or in dark basements.
Homeowners with concerns about mold should leave the lid of their washing machine open until all water dissipates.
Energy Efficiency and Whirlpool Washing Machines
Nearly 70% of Whirlpool washing machines are ENERGY STAR qualified. In general, front loading washing machines use less energy than top loading machines. According to the Whirlpool buyer's guide,
front loading machines can save the average user (doing approximately 10 loads per week) as much as 75% on water consumption compared to top loading machines. Since a large component of the energy
used by a washing machine is devoted to powering the hot water heater, using less water also uses less power.
Customer Experiences
This consumer affairs site includes several stories about customer experiences with Whirlpool washing machines
and some of the responses they got from the company about their complaints.
Whirlpool's Warranty
Most Whirlpool appliances including washing machines come with a limited one-year warranty. This warranty does not include consumable parts or problems caused by incorrect installation.
Contacting Whirlpool
Phone: 269-923-5000
Mail:
Whirlpool Corporation
2000 N. M-63
Benton Harbor, MI 49022-2692
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