Bigger and brainier: LG's new eco steam washing machines

By SmartPlanet on 15 May 2008, 6:31pm

Steam-cleaning your clothes might intuitively feel like the opposite of green energy efficiency. But if you read our review of LG's previous Steam Direct Drive washing machine, you'll discover it does actually save on electricity juice and water. Now the firm is back with bigger 9kg models that use a display to teach you to wash more efficiently by using full loads. We popped along yesterday to see if the heavyweight appliances will really green your wash -- or whether they're just greenwash.

Obviously bigger means more energy, but these 9kg models -- the first in LG's steam line -- are aimed firmly at families who get through a small Everest of sheets, togs and real nappies.

Energy efficiency's top priority and all the new models receive the highest possible rating of A++. LG reckons they'll use 35 per cent less water and 21 per cent less electricity than typical machines. Those figures are likely to be slightly inflated, as we found out in our review of an old 8kg steam LG model.

The other green touch we saw in a demo was the weight display on the front. The old versions already weighed your wash and rationed water and electricity accordingly. The process, however, was previously invisible. Now, thanks to a motion sensor that measures the speed of spin and estimates the weight of your clothes, you can see on the machine's LCD screen how much your load weighs.

So what, eh? Well, For each kilo you wash, you'll use six litres of water with these new machines, and the amount of water used goes up in one-kilo increments. So wash 3kg of clothes and you'll use 18 litres of water. Wash 2.6kg of clothes and you'll still use 18 litres. The new display means you can chuck in a dirty bathroom towel or two to get a more efficient wash. We're talking small savings, but still welcome ones.

Other minor but not especially eco improvements over old models include two new washing modes (including a quick cottons one) and new embossed dimples on the inside of the drum. Those dimples should reduce fabric wear on your wardrobe.

The models we saw look nice too, although washing machine fashion ain't something we usually try to keep up with the Joneses on. Prices start at £599 and go upto £799 and are in ye olde high street shops now. The models haven't appeared on LG's site yet, but they should be there soon complete with full specs.