Reinventing the Spin Cycle: Whirlpool Brand Unveils Industry's Most Efficient Laundry Pair

Nearly a decade after introducing front-load laundry to the U.S., Whirlpool brand is again poised to revolutionize the game of laundry with 6th Sense™ Technology

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Whirlpool Corporation

Oct 14, 2010, 09:21 ET

BENTON HARBOR, Mich., Oct. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Almost 100 years young, Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) has introduced many of the country's household firsts including the automatic washing machine. This legacy provides a singular focus that drives innovation and technology with purpose that not only leads to greater resource efficiency and superior performance but also makes consumers' lives easier. Whirlpool brand, flagship of the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of home appliances, continues to build on its mastery of efficiency and innovation with the launch of the industry's most resource efficient laundry pair(1) – the premium front-load Duet® washer and dryer.

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With new energy and water efficiency requirements for household appliances on the horizon, Whirlpool brand – in conjunction with its Institute of Fabric Science – created a laundry pair that not only meets, but exceeds government standards to help consumers conserve natural resources and save money.

To do so, the washer uses as little as 11.5 gallons of water per load and exceeds the minimum federal energy standard set for selling appliances by more than 160 percent, on average. The washer's EcoBoost™ option takes the guesswork out of efficiency by reducing the water temperature and increasing agitation duration so the decrease in the one (temperature-thermal) is offset by the increase in the other (tumbling-mechanical) to deliver the same results while using less water and energy.

The pair not only keeps clothes looking new longer with gentle wash and dry actions(2), but also saves as much as $3,300 in lifetime energy costs.(3) And, for every household that uses the new Whirlpool® Duet® laundry pair, 12,857 gallons of water could be saved every year.(3) If all households in the United States – 114.8 million according to the U.S. Census – used the new laundry pair for a year, the country could save 1.47 trillion gallons of water per year.

"As the industry's most resource efficient brand, Whirlpool is dedicated to delivering products that provide superior energy and water savings coupled with exceptional performance," said Wes Pringle, vice president brand business teams, Whirlpool Corporation. "Now, nearly 10 years after the introduction of front-load technology to the United States with the first Duet laundry pair, Whirlpool brand is leading the way again with the introduction of the industry's most efficient laundry pair—the new premium front-load Duet® washer and dryer."

Through Whirlpool brand's exclusive 6th Sense™ technology, intelligent tools that sense and manage what was once beyond a user's control, the laundry pair provides ultimate cleaning, gentleness and efficiency. For example, the pair's built-in suite of Laundry Apps includes features like Stain Assist and Hints & Tips that give practical advice on stains and other everyday laundry questions. Combined with the washer's easy-to-fill liquid detergent reservoir, which can hold up to 36 loads in one fill(4), the Whirlpool® Duet® premium washer senses load conditions and manages the precise release of each additive at the right time during the cycle for optimal fabric care and cleaning.

The new premium front-load Duet® washer and dryer will be available at national retailers later this year with an MSRP starting at $1,099.

With nearly 100 years of practice, Whirlpool Corporation knows a thing or two about household chores. This expertise led to the creation of the Whirlpool Institute of Fabric Science, an informational hub for everything laundry. Additionally, the institute offers daily tips, tricks and advice to consumers via Twitter and Facebook. For more information on Whirlpool brand please visit www.whirlpool.com

About Whirlpool Brand

Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $17 billion in 2009, 67,000 employees, and 67 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. Whirlpool brand recognizes that consumers lead busy, active lives and continues to create solutions that help consumers optimize productivity and efficiency in the home. In addition to designing appliance solutions based on consumer insight, Whirlpool brand is dedicated to creating ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances like the new Duet® premium washer which uses 82 percent less water and 86 percent less energy than a traditional top load washer manufactured before 2004. Whirlpool is one of Habitat for Humanity's largest corporate partners, donating a refrigerator and range to every new Habitat for Humanity home built in North America. For more information on Whirlpool brand, please visit www.whirlpool.com. Additional information about the company can be found at www.whirlpoolcorp.com.

1. Among leading brands, based on equal weighting of energy and water usage, electric dryers only.

2. Compared to traditional top load washers.

3. Compared to pre-2004 traditional top load washers and dryers, based on normal cycle, average use, 11-year washer life and 12-year dryer life, electric models only.

4. Based on 6X concentration of HE detergent.

SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation