Posts Tagged ‘Bosch’

Washing Machines That Sound Like Jet Engines

Monday, November 21st, 2011

What do modern front loading washing machines and jet engines have in common?

Bosch Axxis Compact Washer

Bosch Axxis Series Washers Sound Like Jet Engines

The surprising answer is the sound they make when they spin up to full power.  We’ve been receiving more and more comments from people regarding the very loud and annoying noises that their washing machines make when spinning up to full speed spin cycle.  One of the most egregious offenders is the Bosch Axxis series compact washer.  It emits an almost deafening screech akin to a CanadAire Regional Jet at takeoff.  It’s so loud in fact that most people can’t even stand to be at home while the washer is running.  The problem with this specific noise is that it resonates particularly well throughout the home, apartment or condo that you install the Bosch washing machine in.  Simply closing the door to the laundry room is often not enough to quell the screeching noise.  And there really isn’t a full-on magic cure for it either (aside from choosing a different washer).  Silent Feet anti-vibration pads can help to contain this noise.  Installing the pads under the Axxis washing machine’s factory self-leveling feet will isolate the washer and keep the majority of the jet engine noise contained in the laundry room.  So if you’re tired on having a self contained airport in your home, take 5 minutes to install Silent Feet washing machine pads on your Bosch Axxis washer today and start enjoying a better quality of life at home.

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Washing Machine Vibration Facts

Tuesday, April 19th, 2011

Here are a few quick facts on washing machine vibration.

  1. All washing machines and dryer vibrate.  Dryers usually have less vibration than washers because the load is only wet clothes (as opposed to a drum of water and clothes).  Front loading washing machines cause high frequency vertical oscillation while top loading washers usually have horizontal oscillation.
  2. Almost all front loading washing machines are not recommended for use on standard joist-construction floors (most common floor type, compared to a concrete slab sub-floor).  Manufactures like GE, LG, Maytag, Samsung, Whirlpool, Kenmore, Bosch and more, all recommend installing a pad like Silent Feet under the washing machine to absorb the vibration.
  3. Prolonged use of a front loading washing machine on regular joist floors will cause structural damage.
    Joist construction sub-floor

    Most laundry rooms are constructed on a joist type floor. Here long wooden joists support a plywood sub-floor. Vibration weakens the joints between all the parts of the floor.

    This can result in minor issues like creaks and cracks in the floor all the way to sagging and collapse of the floor.

  4. The only alternative to using Silent Feet pads to prevent structural damage is costly upgrading of the sub-floor.  This usually involves adding a second layer of plywood sub-floor and adding sister boards to the rafters that support the floor.  But even this won’t reduce the amount of vibration noise that you hear.  Sub-floor upgrades can cost thousands of dollars.
  5. Vibration can also cause appliance “walking” (unwanted movement) usually during the spin cycle.  Simply installing a pad designed to prevent walking can solve this problem and mean that you’ll never have to reposition your washer after every load again.  Both Original Silent Feet and Anti-Walk Silent Feet prevent walking, however for washers that move a lot or stacked units it is recommended that you install Anti-Walk Silent Feet for the best results.

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Is Your Washing Machine Doomed to Years of Vibration and Noise?

Monday, December 6th, 2010

Never before have washing machine manufactures been ranked based on the vibration and noise characteristics of their products.  That is until now with the latest release of test results from The Vibration Solution.  Our test engineers have been busy in their lab testing washing machines from every major brand and even a few minor brands.  The results of their tests have finally been compiled.  Below is a ranking of each washing machine brand by the vibration that their family of washing machines generates during operation.  The lower the score, the better.  Higher scores indicate that the washing machine created significant and violent vibration throughout the majority of it’s cycles.  Any brand scoring near 100 should be avoided.  The industry average rating for front-loading washing machine vibration was 55.  The average for top-loading washing machine vibration was significantly lower at only 23.  But don’t pick your next washing machine based only on its vibration statistics.

Just because a clothes washing machine doesn’t generate as much noise as one of its competitors doesn’t mean that it won’t keep you up at night.  Noise is another major problem especially with new front-loading washing machines.  That’s why we have also included noise ratings as part of our evaluation.  A perfect example of this issue can be seen on the results for front-loading washers.  While Amana, Miele and Electrolux all scored well on vibration none of them were as quiet as Whirlpool machines.  So consumers looking for a good balance of both a quiet and balanced washing machine should strongly consider Whirlpool for their next purchase.  But not all washers are created equal.  While some brands are better than others, consider that there still may be a few black sheep in every brand’s family of appliances.  Steer clear of individual models with poor or below average vibration and noise ratings.  These ratings can be found in our 2010 Washer and Dryer Buying Guides.

Other good front-loading washer brands to consider are Maytag, Kenmore and Samsung.  All three of these brands scored better than the industry average on vibration and also scored well on noise.  Buyers should avoid Speed Queen, Asko, Bosch, GE and Frigidaire washers if possible.  While some washers within each of these brands do offer a good balance of noise and vibration performance, most do not.  Over the past few years we’ve heard from many very upset Bosch owners who complain of serious vibration and noise.  While Bosch has been slowly improving their appliances, they still have a long way to go before they will be competitive in the laundry appliance industry.

Ratings of washing machine brand performance for vibration and noise

For consumers looking to buy a new top-loading washing machine, consider that while most offer the same low level of vibration, LG performed the best in our noise tests.  GE and Fisher & Paykel washing machines also performed well with Kenmore following close behind.  Avoid buying Frigidaire and Roper top-loaders as they suffer from severe noise issues during most of their cycles.  Staber top-loading washing machines performed poorly in vibration tests, but their overall noise rating was on-par with the industry.  Still, Staber should be avoided as a brand until they can resolve their vibration issues.

Ratings by top-loading washing machine brand for vibration and noise

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The Complete Guide to Front Loading Washing Machine Vibration for 2010

Sunday, November 8th, 2009

A recent surge of government tax rebates and retail appliance sales has sparked a surge in new energy efficient washing machine and dryer purchases.  But before you take advantage of these great deals on new appliances, check out the noise and vibration ratings for the latest washers.  The first step is to analyze your laundry room.  Is it located on the second floor?  Is your current washer installed on a concrete slab?  Do you currently have issues with noise and vibration?  What other laundry problems would you like to avoid in the future?

It is very important to recognize what your expectations for your laundry room are, because it is likely that your next washer and dryer will last for a decade or more before needing to be replaced again.  Picking a noisy or high-vibration washer could mean many years of aggravating noise every time you do laundry.  There is good news though about solving vibration problems in washers and dryers.  By installing Silent Feet under the appliance, even on a 2nd installation your home can remain a quiet and peaceful place.  It is strongly recommended that you install Silent Feet or Anti-Walk Silent Feet vibration isolation pads if you currently have or are planning to purchase any of these models of washing machines.

Front Loading with Major Vibration Noise

LG WM0642H
LG Allergiene WM2688HA
Bosch Nexxt 300 Series WFMC220UC
Miele Touchtronic W484
Maytag 5000 Series MHWE500V
Bosch Vision 800 Series WFVC8440UC
Bosch Vision 300 Series WFVC3300UC
Amana NFW7200T
Speed Queen AFB50R
LG WM2010C
Asko Ultracare WL6511

Front Loading with Moderate Vibration Noise

Electrolux WaveTouch EWFLW65
GE WCVH68000J
LG Allergiene SteamWasher WM3001HA
Whirlpool Duet Steam WFW97000V
Whirlpool Duet Steam WFW9550W
Frigidaire Gallery GLTF2940F
Kenmore Elite HE5t Steam 4770
Bosch Vision 500 Series WFVC5440UC
Frigidaire Affinity ATF8000F
GE WBVH5300K
LG WM2016C
Bosch Nexxt 800 Series WFMC840UC
Whirlpool Duet HT WFW94000S
Frigidaire Affinity FAFW3577K
Samsung WF218AN
Bosch Nexxt 500 Plus Series WFMC544UC
Frigidaire Affinity ATF6000F
Kenmore HE2t 4756
Kenmore HE2 Plus 4751
Whirlpool Duet Sport WFW8300S

Recommended Front Loading Washing Machines

Electrolux IQ Steam EIFLS55
GE Profile WPDH8800J
GE Profile Steamwasher WPDH8900J
Kenmore Elite 405
Kenmore Elite Steam 4219
LG WM2701HV
Maytag Performance Series MHWE950W
Samsung WF448AA
Whirlpool Duet Steam WFW9750W

Even if your front loading washing machine isn’t listed here as having vibration issues it still needs vibration isolation pads if it is installed on a 2nd floor or joist constructed floor.  This is because over time, vibrations caused by repetitive use of a clothes washer’s spin cycle will cause the joints of wooden floor supports to separate and wear.  Washing machine manufacturers know this and all of them recommend the use of a vibration isolator pad like Silent Feet for these installations.  Don’t risk long term damage and costly repairs to your home, make the investment in Silent Feet vibration pads for your laundry room today and rest easier knowing you’re protected.

For complete reviews, buying recommendations and more information about washer and dryer noise and vibration check out consumer review sites like Consumer Reports, Consumer Search and CNET Reviews.

The Complete Guide to Top Loading Washing Machine Vibration 2010

The Complete Guide to Clothes Dryer Noise 2010

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Posted in Washing Machine Buying Guide, Washing Machine Vibration | 7 Comments »