New Continental Girbau 55-pound E-Series washer tests at highest tier for efficiency

Oct. 5, 2009 - PRLog -- The new, high-speed washer was recently added to Continental’s line of freestanding E-Series machines, which now includes 20-, 30-, 40- and 55-pound capacity models. Engineered to significantly reduce gas, water and energy consumption at vended  laundries, the E-Series line is also easy to install thanks to a freestanding design.

The new 55-pound capacity E-Series Washer recently underwent testing by Intertek, an independent testing laboratory, for energy efficiency in accordance with strict Department of Energy (DOE) criteria. “Results are impressive,” says Jorgensen. “Data shows us that the new 55-pound model is as efficient as its E-Series predecessors and uses considerably less gas, electricity and water than most other washers in its class.”

According to Intertek, the new washer boasts a 2.34 modified energy factor (MEF). MEF is a combination of energy factor and remaining moisture content, according to the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE), a group of efficiency program administrators from across the U.S. and Canada who work together on common approaches to advancing efficiency. MEF measures energy consumption of the total laundry cycle (washing and drying). It indicates how many cubic feet of laundry can be washed and dried with one kWh of electricity; the higher the number, the greater the efficiency.

The CEE classifies small commercial washers into tiers of efficiency, with Tier 3 being most efficient (visit www.cee1.org/com/cwsh/cwsh-main.php3). According to the CEE, Tier 3 washers must have an MEF of 2.20 or greater. “Although the CEE doesn’t classify large-capacity washers, such as Continental’s new 55-pound E-Series, it does give laundry consumers a guideline for efficiency,” said Jorgensen. “According to Intertek test results, the new 55-pound model produced an MEF of 2.34 – a number congruent with the CEE’s highest efficiency tier – Tier 3.”

The new washer reaches extract speeds of 351 G-force – speeds that contribute to removing much more water per load than most other machines on the market. In turn, items that come out of the new washer take up to 50 percent less time to dry – cutting dryer gas consumption considerably, according to Jorgensen.

The 55-pound E-Series Washer also uses less water. Test results determined the machine has a water factor (WF) of 4.09, which is the number of gallons needed per cycle per cubic foot. Once again, the 55-pound E-Series achieved energy efficiency results that are congruent with the CEE’s highest efficiency tier – Tier 3.  

“Vended laundries crave the bolstered profit per cycle and increased store customer turnover that high-speed washers offer,” said Jorgensen. “At Continental, we wanted to expand on our high-speed E-Series line with a larger model. The new 55-pound E-Series is just the next step in the continued expansion of the line.”

The new washer, like the other E-Series washers – features a user- and laundry-friendly control, which offers four individually modifiable programs. The control’s flexibility allows multi-level vend pricing on the same machine depending on the wash program selected, time of day, or day of the week. Storeowners can easily change a machine’s vend price according to each program’s energy-efficiency.

As freestanding machines, E-Series Washers can be installed without bolts and special reinforced concrete foundations, allowing for quick installation. E-Series Washers can be installed in unconventional locations including areas with wood floors and second-story laundries—all with little or no floor preparation and cost.

To find out more about Continental laundry products, which are backed by an industry-leading 3/5-year factory warranty, visit www.continentalgirbau.com or call 800-256-1073.

Continental Girbau Inc. is the largest of nine subsidiaries of Girbau S.A., based in Vic, Spain. Girbau S.A. laundry products – marketed throughout 80 countries worldwide – meet rigorous environmental and safety standards established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Girbau S.A. holds both ISO9001 and ISO14001 certifications. Ever focused on laundry efficiency, Continental Girbau is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGB), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that developed the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System.