Whirlpool smells profit in new washer with anti-odor, smart grid features
Filed under: Company News, Economy
It may feel a little creepy to think of your washing machine talking to the power company, but that's among the bells and whistles appliance manufacturers are coming up with to perk up a market that's been smacked down hard by the recession. For now, Whirlpool Corp. (WHR) wants to get an edge by protecting clothes from moldy smells if you forget to unload the wash. But eventually, it plans to sell appliances that can communicate with the planned smart power grid to save energy. Whirlpool is shipping a new Duet washer with a feature that tumbles wet clothes around for up to 10 hours after finishing the wash -- to keep the clothes from getting musty or wrinkled. In its announcement, the company claims its research found 72 percent of consumers felt it was important that clothes don't get smelly if left in the washer, but only 47 percent are satisfied with how their washers currently handle this.
This nifty feature comes at a price: The washer and its matching steam dryer are $1,599 each. That's a big ticket any day, but especially so at a time when homeowners are still putting off home-improvement plans and cutting corners on those projects that do get done. When Whirlpool -- which had been struggling even before the recession -- reported a 47 percent drop in third-quarter earnings, management said only cost-cutting helped it deal with low demand for appliances.
But it's another feature in the Duet washer that may help it sell: The washer and dryer are Energy Star-qualified as being efficient. The washer also has a feature that lets the user time the cycle to start up to 18 hours after loading, ideally to schedule the wash during hours of lower power use.
That's useful because, as our sister site WalletPop reported recently, a number of states will launch rebate programs funded by federal government grants to encourage households to replace old appliances with Energy Star-approved ones, a sort of "Cash for Clunkers" program for appliances. And while "Dollars for Dishwashers" may not perk up the economy as a whole, the offers rolling out in the spring could give a shot in the arm to the manufacturers.
If manufacturers can develop a washer that sends an alert when a dark sock gets mixed in with a load of whites, then they may be on to something, but as we've reported before, shoppers don't necessarily see the advantage of paying more for a green product, and the recession has made that tougher. In Whirlpool's announcement of its "smart appliance" commitment, it noted that the smart dryers could save a typical consumer $20 to $40 a year in energy costs, but it also acknowledged its plans are contingent on development of the smart electricity grid in the U.S. and on "appropriate policies that reward consumers, manufacturers and utilities."
So until then, the feature that keeps your clothes from getting smelly if you forget them in the washer will have to do as a selling tool.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
11-02-2009 @ 8:28PM
CathyB said...
If Whirlpool REALLY wanted to sell more washers, they'd bring back the removable lint filter. How much could a small, cheap piece of plastic cost them?
Reply
11-03-2009 @ 12:51AM
Micha said...
Cathy,
Fisher&Paykel make a washer (WA37T26GW2) that you can use with a removable lint filter. The lint filter fits snuggly into the agitator and is removable after each wash load. With three dogs in our household, we know how great it works!!
11-03-2009 @ 10:30AM
King David said...
DO NOT SPEND ONE DOLLAR TOWARDS BUYING ANY NEW WASHER JUST FOR THIS STUPID PRODUCT!!! THE SOLUTION IS VERY, VERY INEXPENSIVE --- all you have to do is purchase a LARGE bottle of vinegar, the cheaper the better as this is a tough economy, and do an EMPTY wash but put in at LEAST A QUART of the vinegar. At the end of the wash cycle you will see how your washer does not smell anymore!!! I live in the central part of Floridaaahhhh and, besides the normal problems in this state, there is a major problem with the water -- IT STINKS AND IS HARD!! Since I do not have a water softening system (I hate to feel greasy when I shower) I use the above mentioned SUCCESSFUL PROCESS ALL OF THE TIME and it works.
11-02-2009 @ 8:34PM
Mark said...
To hell with the power grid. If one is connected, one's power can be shut off! Government: leave me the hell alone!
Reply
11-02-2009 @ 8:43PM
Bridge said...
If it will run continually an additional 10 hrs, how is that saving energy?? Some machines used to come with a bell to alert you to the finished cycle and they probably still do. I don't have a smart machine, but I'm smart enough to know when I'm doing a load of laundry.
I am still a fan of the top loaders anyway...I like to watch it start to be sure there's enough water and I like to open it if i want to add something or just enjoy the effort saving device work !
Reply
11-02-2009 @ 9:23PM
Ken said...
With all this new tecnology, a washer or dryer should come with a wireless transmitter that tells you how much time is left, or sends your phone a text message when the load is done!
11-03-2009 @ 12:26AM
whatyoutalkin''boutwillis said...
Most Energy Star front loading washers run on less than $20.00 a year and can save more than 10,000 gallons of water each year as well (when compared to traditional top loading machines). Adding or removing clothing is as easy as pressing pause, teaching an old dog new tricks is far more difficult. Spinning at up to 1350 rpms, more water is removed before it reaches the dryer, making the dryer more effective, NOT more efficient. There is NO SUCH THING as an Energy Star dryer! Capacity and a sensor that gives the dryer the ability to know when the load is dry are the only things that will save you big $ when using your dryer.....that and a faster spin rate.
11-03-2009 @ 8:47AM
myerssh61 said...
My thoughts exactly, Bridge!
11-02-2009 @ 8:46PM
John said...
Ladies and Genmlemen. If you think tjhat by saving energy you wil have cheap power you are sadly mistaken. As you cut back the Power Companies will RAISE your power rates as they are geared to a certain Profit and they will not give up that profit.
No matter what you cut back on you are inviting a higher cost for the power you do decide to use.
Hell the Government will also slap a cost on you as the taxes on power usage decline via our savings energy. It is all a BIG LIE. You will pay MORE and MORE and MORE.
Reply
11-02-2009 @ 9:18PM
ShopMavenVA said...
The "smelly washer" issue is not simply the age old problem of mildew we all know from leaving wet clothes lying around in the tub "too long." This is different and commonly associated with ALL the HE front-loaders -- black mold grows in the folds of the giant gasket that forms a waterproof seal with the door. Black mold, in large quantities not only stinks but can be toxic! (Some manufacturers even switched to using black gaskets to hide it.) There have been two well publicized lawsuits and a recall on front-loaders for mold problems. So, if you plan on buying one, plan on wiping the gasket dry after EVERY wash, running a special cycle to sanitize the washer (supposedly helps minimize mold) monthly, and know that it would just be easier and more efficient to buy a regular top loader. Even the consumer reporters have started reporting on this problem with the HE front-loaders. (Which makes me wonder if the author of this article is a schill for Whirlpool, that is not an opinion peice but paid advertising.)
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11-03-2009 @ 12:33AM
Dee said...
You are 100% right. All front loaders will have the mold issue eventually. This new 'keep your clothes moving" thing is a way to still sell front loaders, but pass the blame onto the customer for not taking their clothes out right away and not letting the load spin on & off for 18 hrs. Whirlpool is avoiding fixing the problem at the customers expense. People are so easily manipulated. They just don't get it. All they have to do is leave the door open a bit after each wash to dry out the moisture. Or, buy a top load washer.
11-03-2009 @ 10:01AM
houckcd said...
If you run a load of whites with chlorine bleach occasionally you will "sanitize" the washer and kill the mold. Leave the door open so it can dry. I am sold on front loaders, they make a lot of sense to me. I will be very desperate to ever have a top load machine again.
11-03-2009 @ 11:28AM
Leslie said...
ShopMaven -- You are so right. This has nothing to do with leaving your wet clothes in the dryer. I took a peek under that gasket and it's absolutely disgusting -- not to mention I found a sock in there!
This new Whirlpool thing - just another gimmick. Shame on them.
Sort of like computers -- only good for so long before you HAVE to get another one.....
11-03-2009 @ 5:17PM
girl said...
Why dont you just leave the door slightly open after a wash, that way the water in the gasket dries and no mold grows.
11-02-2009 @ 9:47PM
John Brooks said...
It is my understanding that Whirlpool® has bought up or otherwise acquired nearly every other major brand of large appliances in this country. After a terrible service experience over 5 weeks last year with A&E, evidently contracted by Whirlpool to service our refrigerator, nonfunctioning due to condenser failure, I will be very careful to avoid purchasing any appliance which may fall under Whirlpool's umbrella of brand names.
Reply
11-03-2009 @ 12:52AM
Micha said...
You are correct in that Whirlpool owns many brands but there are many fine brands still made such as Bosch and Fisher&Paykel who not only make great products but make the washers in the good old USA!! Enjoy!
11-03-2009 @ 2:36AM
chris said...
micha, FYI,bosch is manufactured in Germany,and F,P is made in new zealand. WP duets are made in Germany also.The Duet sport are however made in Mexico
11-02-2009 @ 9:54PM
Jen said...
Only if they could make a washer/dryer in one! Hee hee!
Reply
11-02-2009 @ 10:11PM
Kerrie said...
They do
11-02-2009 @ 10:19PM
guy said...
Jen, they are everywhere and have been for years
LG WM3431 Front Load All-in-One Washer / Dryer
All-in-One Washer / Dryer, Front Load 8.8 lb. load, Features: End-of-Cycle Signal, Time Remaining Indicator, Quiet Operation,