Upgraded GE Frontload Laundry Pair Offers Larger Capacity, Improved Performance, and Updated Appearance

    LOUISVILLE, Kentucky -- GE recognizes the appeal of frontload washers and dryers to consumers who are looking for great savings, looks and performance, and will make several enhancements to its popular frontload laundry pair in 2007. In 2001, frontload models made up approximately nine percent of the washing machine market. As of September 2006, that number had grown to approximately 27 percent, according to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers.

    Great savings, looks and performance.

    Bigger capacity, amazing energy & water savings With more room, the GE frontload laundry pair is now big enough to handle 23 full-size bath towels with its king-sized 3.81-cubic-foot stainless wash basket and the spacious 7.0-cubic-foot dryer drum. Increased spin speed of 1100 RPMs extracts more water and detergent with no harm to fabrics, meaning the time clothes spend in the dryer is even less.

    The GE frontload washer uses as little as 10 gallons of water for a small load and 15 gallons for an average-size load, which saves up to 23 gallons per load, or 61% water.2 If every U.S. household currently using a non-ENERGY STAR® washer replaced their unit with a GE frontload washer, consumers could save a combined annual total of more than $3 billion in water bills!

    Equally as impressive are the energy savings of the GE washer. The GE frontload washer exceeds 2007 ENERGY STAR guidelines by 16%. In fact, the GE frontload washer's total energy and water savings can pay for the initial cost of the washer over its life.3

    Chrome adds glamour to fashionable laundry pair
    Many consumers are choosing to move their washer and dryer to prominent locations within their homes into spaces adjacent to kitchens, bedrooms or bathrooms. A new chrome-plated door and trim make this attractive laundry pair a handsome addition to any living space.

    Installation options include stacking the machines for an integrated look, or consumers may choose custom under-the-counter, custom built-in or side-by-side installations. The dryer door is reversible for additional flexibility. Optional 10-inch or 13-inch high storage drawer pedestals with dividers are available to provide convenience and extra storage space for detergent, dryer sheets and other cleaning supplies.

    Protecting Your Investment
    The gentle HydroMotion™ reversing wash action offers great cleaning performance with gentle wash motion. Special cycles for activewear, washable woolens, and delicates take the guesswork out of setting the machines. For remembering favorite cycles, some models are also designed with a "custom" feature. Whites stay white and bright thanks to a new HydroHeater™ internal water heater. The heater increases water temperature to improve wash performance of particularly tough stains and on loads like white cottons. The HydroHeater also increases the water temperature to sanitize and kill more than 99% of many common bacteria found in home laundry.4

    The Flow-Thru™ dispenser system releases the detergent, fabric softener, additives and bleach at just the right time for optimal wash performance. The GE frontload dryer includes a dewrinkle cycle that tumbles clothes without heat to reduce creasing and wrinkling and Sensor Dry Plus™ moisture and temperature settings which provide more consistent clothes care. Dual electronic moisture sensors and two thermistors help prevent under- or over-drying An easy-to-read LED display indicates the current status of the wash or dry cycles. Consumers can also lock the controls by using the child lock out protection feature.

    This April, the black-and-chrome color option will be added to the frontload lineup, which now includes white and granite gray. The estimated retail price range of the GE frontload washer is $999-$1,099 and the dryer is $799-$899.5 GE Consumer & Industrial spans the globe as an industry leader in major appliance, lighting and integrated industrial equipment, systems and services.

    Providing solutions for commercial, industrial and residential use in more than 100 countries, GE Consumer & Industrial uses innovative technologies and"ecomagination"; a GE initiative to aggressively bring to market new technologies that help customers and consumers meet pressing environmental challenges, to deliver comfort, convenience and electrical protection and control. General Electric (NYSE: GE) brings imagination to work, selling products under the Monogram®, Profile™, GE®, Hotpoint®, SmartWater™, Reveal®, GE Edison™ and Energy Smart™ consumer brands, and Entellisys™ industrial brand. For more information, consumers may visit www.ge.com.

    1Washes equivalent amount of clothes as a 3.8-cu.-ft. agitator machine, per IEC ratios.

    2As compared to a typical washer, WWSE5240.

    3Based on an average cost of water, energy and sewer over 12 years using 10 loads/week compared to typical topload washer, WWSE5240D. As an ENERGY STAR® partner, GE has determined that the WCVH6600H, WCVH6260H, WBVH6240H, and WBVH5100H washers meet the ENERGY STAR guidelines for energy efficiency.

    4When selecting the washer water temperature "Sanitize" and soil level setting "Heavy" with home water heater set at 120?F.

    5Dealers set their own prices.

    Contact:
    GE Consumer & Industrial
    Allison Eckelkamp
    (502) 452-7184
    Allison.Eckelkamp@ge.com