Öko Institut endorses Miele PowerWash 2.0, confirming top-class energy efficiency even for small loads

Miele's PowerWash 2.0 enables the particularly energy-efficient washing of loads combined with short cycle times. This applies equally to big washes and for the less-than-full loads more common in households. This potential saving now has the endorsement of the Freiburg-based Öko Institut, in the form of a certificate.

When purchasing a washing machine, consumers often use the energy efficiency rating as orientation. Unfortunately, this label does not always properly reflect everyday use as other programmes than the label programme are often used in practice and smaller loads are washed than can be accommodated by a machine's drum capacity. According to a survey by the University of Bonn, the average domestic load is around 4 kg in size.

Together with the Öko Institut in Freiburg/Germany, Miele investigated the efficiency of washing machines under everyday conditions. Alongside a Miele washing machine with PowerWash 2.0, a comparison was made of various reputable brands with top-class energy efficiency based on machines with an 8 kg nominal load capacity. Together with electricity consumption, cycle times, water consumption and wash performance was analysed - with both a full and a half load.

The results revealed that the Miele washing machine with PowerWash 2.0 performed best. And it is all possible thanks to Miele's special Spin&Spray cycle which features on all models with PowerWash 2.0: Multiple bursts of spinning and the simultaneous spraying of loads results in only very little water being needed and hence a reduced demand for heating energy when it comes to the main wash. At the same time, the machines adapt precisely to the actual load size.

The Öko Institut for example established that, based on general use in many households, PowerWash technology requires up to 25% less energy than the other machines in the test. Miele also achieved top ratings for average annual water consumption, wash performance and cycle times. The certificate confirms that Miele washing machines with PowerWash 2.0 'wash up to 40% faster and save up to 25% electricity in the process, depending on the programme' and ascribes 'best cleaning performance and lowest water consumption' to models equipped with this technology.

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Company profile: Miele is the world's leading manufacturer of premium domestic appliances including cooking, baking and steam-cooking appliances, refrigeration products, coffee makers, dishwashers and laundry and floor care products. This line-up is augmented by dishwashers, washer-extractors and tumble dryers for commercial use as well as washer-disinfectors and sterilisers for use in medical and laboratory applications (Miele Professional). The Miele company, founded in 1899, has 8 production plants in Germany as well as one plant each in Austria, the Czech Republic, China and Romania. 2015/16 turnover amounted to approx. EUR 3.71 bn with sales outside Germany accounting for around 70%. Miele is represented with its own sales subsidiaries and via importers in almost 100 countries. The Miele company, now in the fourth generation of family ownership, employs a workforce of around 18,400, 10,300 thereof in Germany. The company headquarters are located in Gütersloh/Westphalia, Germany.