live_wire_oak, The LG washers like all other non-commercial large capacity washers in the USA operate off a 120V 15 amp circuit. With this design you cannot get more than about 1500 to 1600 watts of power out of the circuit. The motor/electronics used to operate everything else in the washer might take up to 500 watts or so of peak power (motors need a surge of power to get going and then use less to keep going) and maybe up to 250 watts of steady state power to operate. The power budget only allows about 1000 watts for the heater. When the LG machine is making steam it's not heating the water so the net additional energy being added to the tub is the same. re: "But then, about half of all Americans think the sun revolves around the earth. Science just isn't our forté, but hype certainly is." live_wire_oak, this was well said!!!! But then this is a subject for a whole different forum. luvmylg, We have been using FLers for the past 14 years. The first 13 of these years was serviced by an Asko. A truely wonderful machine in most respects (far from perfect, but still very very good) that churned through 10 to 15 loads a week without complaint until the end. Until the end it's only fault was a broken impeller where one of our kids play items got stuck and broke the impeller. This was half our fault for not checking his pockets and half Asko's fault for not having a good screen which would keep stuff away from the impeller. When the machine broke (electronics board failure) it was right at a time when we really needed a bigger machine but also didn't want to give up some of the nice cleaning aspects we got from the Asko. Bigger Miele machines were also being heavily rumored so we decided to get a serviceable, but temporary machine until Miele announced their product. At the time Home Depot was selling out their stock of Danby's at $300 (plus a $50 energy star rebate). I must say for $250 the Danby has been one great machine. It doesn't have anywhere near the quality and design of the Asko, but it has still been a very good performer. It has an internal water heater which will heat to 200F (very long cycle) and has controls which are simple and direct enough that you can get it to do pretty much anything you want. Now that the Miele W4840 is out, we will most likely get one of these once I finish reconfiguring our laundry room (moving the dryer to improve venting, and moving the washer location so a big machine will fit). So far most of the W4840 feedback on this forum has been good, but I'm also considering the Bosch Nexxt as well if some current info on this forum regarding how the Miele uses it's internal heater turn out to be true. Who knows, might also consider LG machines as well if Miele drops off the list. I like the solid heft of the Miele compared with other machines out there. I hope it's determined that Miele uses the internal heater in all cycles.

luvmylg, I know that there were slight differences in the ratings of the washers that scored 79 points, but they do have the same overall rating. I feel that some of the ratings are questionable at best. People have brought up these issues on the CR forum. The LG has a nominal capacity of 4.0 cuft and most of the other high rated washers have just 3.8 cuft. So, the LG should get the best rating for capacity (which it did), but the others should not be able to get the excellent rating. If you check the energy star website you'll find the numbers for usable capacity of all the energy star rated washers. The LG is listed at 3.47 and the others are around 3.3 cuft. The CR moderator just brushed it off and said that they use their own test method to determine the capacity of the washer, but he wouldn't go into detail. The same problem with the gentleness rating. You said that the Kenmore and Duet are "tearing up clothes" since they just got a fair rating. I am sure that they didn't tear up any clothes or they wouldn't be among the best rated wahsers. It is just wrong that CR rates the gentleness of ANY FL equal or worse than the gentleness of a TL with agitator. FLs are not causing much wear and tear at all. If they do tear up clothes, you got a defective drum. But again, CR will not disclose any details about their test methods. I do think that CR can give you some insights on the performance of the various washers, but it is still necessary to stay critical of their ratings. Use some common sense and do some independent research. Take everything you find into consideration to make an educated decision. Lots of people criticized CR for the way they present their washer and dryer ratings. When they test cars, they give you the specific numbers like speed, accelaration, fuel efficiency etc. For the washers they just give you some vague information about measurable things like capacity, noise, energy and water efficiency and so on. I guess they think that consumers are not able to make their own decisions if you give them all the details. It is sad that everything has to be "idiot proof" these days. Just look at the washer manuals, they are written for third graders. I hope that CR will rethink their way of doing things. After all, the consumers are paying for their service.

It is really not my intent to be defensive. I think I do get a little urked when LG is the "ONLY" washer w/service issues. I did extensive research on all the washers I was interested in buying and they "ALL" had their issues! And for folks to say I might add in a condescending way that they "didnt even consider a particular brand" because of service issues is in my opinion disparaging. I have found as much on this site about Whirlpools/Kenmores smelling, Bosch running marathons (vibrating) and all kinds of software errors. GE's and Fridgidaires w/multiple mechanical and workmanship problems. Maytags...I wont even go there, not to mention the LG stuff. On the other hand there have been several testimonies by owners of these brands that would buy it again. I have not seen that much on Miele or Asko; simply because they are not purchased as much as the ones above. Being that LG's sells are so hot I understand they have the "Microsoft" affect on folks and they have become somewhat disingenuous with regard to the brand, but c'mon!! OK...maybe I have become a bit defensive (lol). The best way to sum it up is like this; I am an iPod user, I know folks that are trying to decide between an iPod and the new Zune. Naturally I am very familiar w/my product being that I own it and I have read several reviews on the Zune. Should I go around saying the Zune is inferior to the iPod because it cant do this or that and it only has this amount of space etc, etc. when at the end of the day they both hold huge amounts of music and the person is simply sitting down and listening to music on one player as the other is.... I said all that to say that until LG or any other brand comes out with a machine that sorts clothes, moves them from the hamper upstairs and folds and put them away after the wash....stop touting one washer as being far superior to the other! As far as the Miele heater thing goes most folks will use only one cycle the majority of the time, and it is a farce when the heater does not run on the cycle that is used the most. This site has been extremely helpful and is full of useful info, but the superior attitudes of owners of FL's over TL's and owners of certain brands is getting old.

LG is actually not a new company. They were around for many years before they were known as LG. The old BRAND name was Goldstar, but in their product literature you would see it referred to as Lucky Goldstar...thus the abbreviation "LG". The company decided to "re-invent" itself. It did this by making better products under a revision to its name. When we bought our home last year, I was ready to buy the Duet models after using a set that belonged to my boyfriend's dad. I was impressed with how quiet they were. Before being able to buy a set, my boyfriend insisted on looking at Consumer Reports. After reading, he said he wanted this LG Steamwasher and dryer. I can say that the washer is not quite as quiet as the Duet, especially the drain pump. But it holds a lot of clothing, does a great job and obviously uses less energy and consumables. There is one thing I DON'T like about the LG, which is the fact that it loves to play with the water valves. Every time you start a cycle, the washer pops the hot and cold valves open and closed for about half a second or less about six or seven times each. My frail plumbing just loves this, so I had to install anti-water hammer devices. I *think* the washer is merely trying to get the soap in the dispenser to flow out to the wash tub without foaming out and making a mess. The spin cycle has a characteristic 'jet engine' sound, and the drain pump does have a mean sound. I like using the set. I simply wish that the washer had one more feature that the dryer already has: A custom cycle button. And if you get one, don't handle the chrome door too much as it can scratch.