A direct drive washing machine is different from the older machines where it uses a coupling to drive the gear case instead of the conventional belt and pulley system. They are relatively simple in their construction, where its motor speed is controlled by an inverter. This in turn helps in machine’s sensing of a load so that power output can be adjusted accordingly. This in turn, leads to energy efficiency on the part of the washing machine.

How does Direct Drive works?

It was in the year 1991 that direct drive washing machines were introduced into the market. These machines use a coupling that helps drive the gear case and is connected to the motor. If the coupling does break for some reason or the other, the machine takes in water and starts draining, without actually affecting the pump. These machines have fewer parts than machines using the conventional belt and pulley mechanism. Here, the wash and spin cycles of the machine are partially driven by the washer’s motor.

Why buy a direct drive machine?

Direct drive machines are simple in construction where you find a tub connected to the operating motor. The number of parts that may wear down is reduced here while energy performance and reliability is increased. Its motor speed is controlled by an inverter for easy sending of weight of the load and adjustment of power output.

Washing machines using belt and pulley system are usually asymmetrical, unbalanced and prone to more noise and vibration from motor operation. In the case of this washing machine, the motor and shaft powering the drum is connected directly to the basin. This makes the washer symmetric, while reducing noise in the spin cycle.

Features/Benefits

Direct drive washing machine basically help in energy conservation and noise. In addition to this, your clothes are prone to less damage with these machines as there is a reduction of tangling here. The mechanical force on laundry in traditional machines concentrates on the clothes found near the agitator.

However in the case of these machines, the need of an agitator is removed which in turn solves the damaging part of traditional washing machines. Debris of the clothes here is removed using the back and forth rotation of the washing machine drum. There are fewer vibrations in these machines with the absence of pulleys and belts, which in turn make the machine a quiet one.

Popular brands/models

There are numerous popular brands and models of direct drive washing machines to choose from like Whirlpool, Kenmore, Kitchen Aid, Sears and LG. the latest model from LG uses steam to clean your clothing and to get rid of creases on your clothes. This is a great option if you don’t have the time to wait for your full wash of clothes to dry up. The machine also consumes less water than conventional washers and 21% less energy, to give it the A++ energy rating it requires as a washing machine.

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