Calculating the watts used by a clothes washer

[spendlove]

I have a Speed Queen brand washer and dryer. I emailed the company asking how many watts their washer uses at peak times, like when the agitator begins to rotate for example. Here is their reply:

"For motors, you cannot calculate wattage by simply multiplying volts x amperage because of the power factor/ reactive power/ imaginary power."

Is this true??

 

[Hedges]

True.

Assume starting surge is 5x whatever nameplate says.

Actual wattage may be less than volts x amps, but just use that product to plan your system. Inverter needs to be able to drive V x A even if net power delivered is W.

So go back and ask them, "How many VA does the washer use running under maximum load, and what peak VA does it draw as starting surge?"

Watts, on the other hand, is what a (good) utility watt-hour meter would bill you for.