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Cost of running speed queen vs HE washer?

10 years ago

Hello, a question for those who have replaced or switched from a HE washer to a Speed Queen washer. I know that the Speed Queen washers are not energy efficient but can anyone tell me how much of a difference there really was in their water, electric bill for a year when comparing the two? Was it a real wakeup call or not that big of a change? Thanks for your time.

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Comments (8)

mrb627
10 years ago
Well, in comparing a Speed Queen TL machine to an HE FL machine of the same brand, it doesn't appear that energy use is all that big of a deal.

MRB

Here is a link that might be useful: Energy Star
laundryvet
10 years ago
I think DOE requires them to put a bright yellow sticker on the front of the unit that says what the annual average cost to run the unit is, just like refrigerators.

Call a retailer, they should be able to tell you what is on the sticker.
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You don't say whether your FP washer is a TL or FL. In my opinion and experience, having to buy ANY washer & dryer these days is a dilemma in itself. If you buy some Top Loaders you can have some control over the water level; otherwise, forget that with any and all Front Loaders. My Speed Queen FL (cost $1800) is built like a tank and works like a charm except for the water level (13.4 gal split between washing and rinsing!???). San Diego Steve will tell you that is plenty and he has even posted that he sold that model and bought the newer one which uses even less total water per wash cycle (11.xx gal I think). He and I are in complete disagreement on how 4 gal of water can rinse a set of King size sheets that remain in a wad. So FL vs TL is the first hurdle. I'm not sure how much water a SQ TL uses, but that would be my first question. My FL spins like crazy. I would have bought an FP but they are not sold anywhere in the Dallas, TX area. Maytag used to make a Centennial model which my daughter in law has and it has a deep rinse which fills the tub, but might no longer be made. Sorry not to have any more helpful information. The Chinese factor would scare me off as well with the FP. Good luck and please post your final decision with the outcome. It will be up to date and may help others.
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mrb627
10 years ago
Good idea.

Here is the label from the SQ website.

The sticker on the front of my SQ FL machine says $20 (for comparison)

Here is a link that might be useful: Speed Queen

This post was edited by mrb627 on Sun, Mar 2, 14 at 12:58
gwarstong
10 years ago
I have couple-months-old SQ 542 TL. It came with a sticker exactly like the one mrb627 posted.

I also suspect (but don't know) the the gov't figures have to do with washing "full loads". However, "full load" with the SQ as-delivered is actually only 70% full (because of gov't-mandated fill-limit adjustment) so I suspect a normal person running actually-full tub (like I do) would use/spend more than this sticker indicates.
pegandken
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks for all your reply's. I quess I was kind of thinking more in the line of someone who had previous owned a HE Samsung, LG or Kenmore washer and then replaced it with the SQ washer. Did you notice a significant change in your utility bill after the switch in washers? Thanks again.
shaggnasty
10 years ago
We recently switched from a WP Duet FL to a Speed Queen toploader. While I know the SQ uses more water (a good thing in my book) I think the biggest difference, in our case, is the longer drying times since the SQ doesn't spin as fast. Drying towels takes a good bit longer than it used to.

That said, we are thrilled with our SQ.
laundryvet
10 years ago
Kenz5,

I made the jump from a Speed Queen top load to a Speed Queen front load 8 years ago.

My demographics:
-I have four kids
-did NOT change factory default water level on TLW
-water is cheap where I live (Great Lakes region)
-waste water is cheap to dispose of ($180 yearly flat fee regardless of usage)
-natural gas is very low cost here and I have a gas water heater
-I wash 95% - 98% of my loads warm wash and cold rinse

I could not notice a change in utilities before vs after. It's probably $3 to $5 a month at most.

Laundryvet
pegandken
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks shaggnasty and laundryvet as that was the kind of info. I was really looking for. Maybe it's not that big of a difference in energy costs after all?? Many thanks!

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