It goes by the overall capacity minus parts like the agitator.
Washer capacity doe vs iec.
Ge energy star 3 6 doe cu.
Here is an example of the difference.
One of them is doe department of energy another is iec international electotechnical commission.
The iec measurement standard will no longer be used in print online specs etc.
The front load washer would be able to do more laundry than a top load.
Here in the usa if one really pays attention there are often several numbers shown in adverts.
Typically iec is the only number used.
These washers touted a capacity of 3 7 cubic feet as rated by the iec.
Learn more color.
All washers are measured and communicated using only the latest august 2010 doe capacity standard.
These standardized means of calculating washer volume will provide consistent and accurate data for consumers.
However the wash basket itself was only 3 2 cubic feet the exact same as that 349 washer we sold like crazy.
Today every washer comes with a capacity recommendation.
However due to an agreement among appliance manufacturers the iec equivalent capacity ratings previously used have been discontinued.
For example a few years ago i was working for hh gregg and one of the most popular top load washers we sold was made by whirlpool and featured a 3 2 cubic foot capacity wash basket as measured by the doe.
Thus a fl washer that is 4 2 iec might list it is 4 0.
Doe us department of energy measurement refers to the usable space in the washer.
When it comes to clothes washers i believe their capacity can be defined in two ways depending on whether the volume of the agitator in a traditional washer is taken into account.
All manufacturers use a standard measurement.
After 4 30 11 by manufacturers.
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As of april 30 2011 all manufacturers of washing machines must report drum capacity using testing procedures established by the department of energy doe.
There have been 2 numbers used in some flyers adverts sincelast summer.
The difference was in the lack of the agitator taking up space.
The link that maira provided above has great information on this from bluecrewguy from sears.
As you see in the link above it s it s own type of measuring.
I haven t found a formal statement or description about determining iec capacities from actual washing machine capacities.
Ge energy star 3 6 doe cu.
As a rule of thumb 12 pounds of laundry is appropriate for a standard capacity top load washer 15 to 18 pounds for a front load washer and 20 to 22 pounds for an extra large capacity front load washer.
