"Drum Type" vs "Top-Loading" Washing Machines: The Difference in Water and Electricity Costs! The Shocking "About 3 Times" Difference in Drying Costs

Table of Contents

1. Basic Structure and Evolution of the Two Major Washing Machine Types

2. Water Bill Comparison: Which is the "Water-Saving Champion"?

3. Electricity Cost Comparison: Breaking Down Washing, Spinning, and Drying

4. The Mechanism Behind the Threefold Difference in Drying Costs

5. Comprehensive Running Cost Simulation (Households of 1-5 People)

6. Initial Cost vs. Long-term Cost: How Many Years to Break Even?

7. Latest Energy-Saving and IoT Features and Trends by Manufacturer

8. 20 Money-Saving Tips: Techniques to Reduce Water, Electricity, and Time Starting Today

9. Points for Foreign Residents When Buying in Japan

10. Sustainability and SDGs Perspective

11. Frequently Asked Questions Q&A

12. Conclusion: The "Optimal Solution" Varies by Household

1. Basic Structure and Evolution of the Two Major Washing Machine Types

1.1 Drum Type: Beating Wash + Low Water Volume

The horizontal or slanted drum rotates to remove dirt through "fall impact." The water volume is about half that of a vertical type, and the detergent concentration is nearly double, making it effective against sebum stains. It rapidly gained popularity in Japan in the mid-2000s, with AI detergent auto-dispensing and heat pump drying becoming standard in recent years.

1.2 Vertical Type: Kneading Wash + High Water Level

The rotation of the pulsator creates a water flow that rubs clothes against each other. It is strong against mud stains and large loads, and the main unit is inexpensive, but it uses a lot of water. Drying is mainly heater-based, consuming a lot of electricity.

2. Water Bill Comparison: Which is the "Water-Saving Champion"?

• Standard Wash per Cycle (12 kg Class)

  • Drum Type: 83 L → About 22 yen in water costs

  • Vertical Type: 150 L → About 40 yen in water costs

• 
  Annual Cost (Once Daily)

  • Drum Type: About 8,000 yen

  • Vertical Type: About 14,600 yen
    
    

Using the national average water rate (0.26 yen per liter for water and sewage), the drum type offers an annual water-saving effect of about 6,600 yen.Financial Field. With the current trend of rising average water unit prices by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the water-saving effect is likely to expand further in the future.

3. Electricity Cost Comparison: Breaking Down Washing, Spinning, and Drying

3.1 Washing to Spinning Only

• Drum Type: 68 Wh ≒ 2.2 yen

• Vertical Type: 98 Wh ≒ 3.1 yen
  The difference is small, but the drum type is about 30% lower in power consumption.Financial Field.

3.2 Dramatic Difference in Drying

*Calculated at a unit price of 27 yen/kWh. There's about a threefold difference.Financial FieldTERASEL.

4. The Mechanism Behind the Threefold Difference in Drying Costs

1. Heat Source Efficiency: Heat pumps recycle "air heat," while heaters rely entirely on electrical resistance heating.

2. Exhaust Heat Treatment: Vertical water-cooled dehumidification uses cooling water → adds to water costs.

3. Rotation Speed and Drum Diameter: Drum types have a large diameter, efficiently loosening clothes while drying.

4. Control Algorithm: Latest models detect fabric volume/humidity with AI and automatically minimize heat pump output.wiple.

5. Comprehensive Running Cost Simulation

Model Case ① Family of Three (Daily Washing + Drying Twice a Week)

• Drum Type

  • Washing 365 times × 24.2 yen = 8,833 yen

  • Drying 104 times × 24 yen = 2,496 yen

  • Annual Total 11,329 yen
    
    

• Vertical Type

  • Washing 365 times × 43.1 yen = 15,732 yen

  • Drying 104 times × 71 yen = 7,384 yen

  • Annual Total 23,116 yen

Difference: 11,787 yen/year

Approximately 60,000 yen over five years. This serves as a guideline for absorbing the initial price difference.

Model Case ② International Student Living Alone (Washing Three Times a Week, No Drying)

Comparing an 8 kg drum type and a 6 kg vertical type, the annual cost difference is about 3,000 yen. If initial cost is a priority, the vertical type is also an option.

6. Initial Cost vs. Long-term Cost: How Many Years to Break Even?

Average Price (First Half of 2025, According to Electronics Retailers)

• Drum Type 12 kg: 250,000–350,000 yen

• Vertical Type 12 kg with Dryer: 150,000–180,000 yen
  
  

Dividing the difference of 100,000–170,000 yen by the annual difference mentioned earlier,households that use drying more than twice a week can break even in 4–6 years. For households that do not frequently use drying, the payback period may exceed 10 years.

7. Latest Energy-Saving and IoT Features and Trends by Manufacturer

• Panasonic "Hot Water Bubble Wash + Heat Pump EX"
  Enhances stain removal with hot water washing while achieving energy-saving drying.
  
  

• Toshiba "Ultra Fine Bubble Wash W"
  Uses microbubbles for low water level washing, top-class water-saving performance.
  
  

• Hitachi "Wind Iron + Heat Recycling"
  Recycles drying heat to reduce power consumption by up to about 40%.
  
  

• Sharp "Plasmacluster Sterilization Drying"
  Sterilizes while saving energy. Popular among inbound tourists.

8. 20 Money-Saving Tips (Excerpt)

1. Do laundry in bulk to use over 80% of the drum capacity

2. Switch from "Fluffy Dry" to "Energy-Saving Dry" mode

3. Add three minutes of extra spinning before drying to reduce moisture content by 10%

4. Use a timer to operate according to night discount plans

5. Clean the filter every time, and if it's a water-cooled heater, clean the water inlet monthly

6. Switch from overseas fabric softeners to high-concentration domestic types for one rinse

7. Enable AI auto-dispensing to prevent overuse of detergent

8. Use a gas dryer "Kanta-kun" for time-saving (suitable for households with many small children)   etc.

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