The link that maira provided above has great information on this from bluecrewguy from sears.
Washer capacity doe vs iec.
It goes by the overall capacity minus parts like the agitator.
These standardized means of calculating washer volume will provide consistent and accurate data for consumers.
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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.
I haven t found a formal statement or description about determining iec capacities from actual washing machine capacities.
Today every washer comes with a capacity recommendation.
These washers touted a capacity of 3 7 cubic feet as rated by the iec.
All washers are measured and communicated using only the latest august 2010 doe capacity standard.
As you see in the link above it s it s own type of measuring.
Thus a fl washer that is 4 2 iec might list it is 4 0.
There have been 2 numbers used in some flyers adverts sincelast summer.
One of them is doe department of energy another is iec international electotechnical commission.
Ge energy star 3 6 doe cu.
The iec measurement standard will no longer be used in print online specs etc.
Here is an example of the difference.
You may click here to read the full answer.
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We also sold a whole lot of whirlpool duet frontload washers.
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.
As of april 30 2011 all washers sold at best buy are measured for drum capacity using uniform standards defined by the us department of energy doe.
Wm2501hva last november was 4 2 iec.
Typically iec is the only number used.
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.
Doe us department of energy measurement refers to the usable space in the washer.
After 4 30 11 by manufacturers.
Loading store finder about this product.
However the wash basket itself was only 3 2 cubic feet the exact same as that 349 washer we sold like crazy.
All manufacturers use a standard measurement.
Here in the usa if one really pays attention there are often several numbers shown in adverts.
As of april 30 2011 all manufacturers of washing machines must report drum capacity using testing procedures established by the department of energy doe.
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The front load washer would be able to do more laundry than a top load.
