Consumer News

Laundry 101—Making Sense Of Sensors

Posted: 12/8/2011

Innovations in sensor technology make it possible for a washer and dryer to work better together to deliver clean clothes in a timely manner.

(NAPSI)—There’s good news for those who feel they waste too much time on laundry day, waiting for their dryer to catch up with their washer.

Innovations in sensor technology make it possible for a washer and dryer pair to work better together to deliver clean clothes in a timely manner.

While consumers may be aware that sensors exist, many are still skeptical when it comes to how they can get the machines to “do what they do.”

According to a recent Whirlpool Corporation survey conducted online by Harris Interactive®, 84 percent of U.S. adults who do their laundry recognize that their clothes dryers have sensors, but 40 percent of those surveyed confessed that they were still skeptical when it comes to believing the dryer is able to know how long it takes to dry clothes.

Here is a quick look at how these sensors work—and how to find a washer/dryer pair that fits your laundry needs.

Washer Sensors—Maintaining Water and Suds Levels

Getting the best clean most efficiently from a washer can be partially attributed to the use of several sensors within the machine.

The motor is able to measure the size and weight of the laundry load to determine the correct spin cycle speed. The spin speed then determines how much water is extracted from the laundry, which helps reduce final drying time by minimizing the moisture in the load before it even hits the dryer.

Pressure sensors measure water level, ensuring laundry loads have the appropriate amount for a thorough washing, whether it is a small load or laundry for a family of five.

Dryer Sensors—Preventing Wrinkles and Overdrying

With the help of sensors inside the machine, dryers are able to safeguard while drying.

“Look inside your dryer and there are two small stripes a few inches long near the lint screen. These are sensor bars,” says Donald Erickson, Engineer of Fabric Care Technology at Whirlpool.

“They measure the moisture content remaining in the load, and determine how much time the load should tumble based on the dryness level selected. Typically, you want 4 percent moisture to reduce wrinkles and protect against overdrying.”

It’s Automatic

Sensors are designed to activate when each cycle begins. This means consumers can trust that their clothes are protected and they don’t have to overcompensate with more water or dryer time than needed. Sensors make it possible for consumers to get back to life and let their washers and dryers take care of the laundry.

To learn more, visit www.whirlpool.com.

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