Abstract: A washing machine and a method of controlling the same include a motor to rotate a rotary tub including laundry, a heater to heat water contained in the rotary tub, a communication unit to receive an energy saving signal having information regarding an energy saving start time from an energy management system (EMS), and a controller, upon receiving the energy saving signal, to determine which one of the motor and the heater is a load having highest power consumption in a process to be executed at the energy saving start time, and reduce the operation rate of the determined load. Before current power rates exceed reference power rates, the load operation rate of the washing machine is changed so that power consumption is greatly reduced.

Abstract: A method for controlling a drying machine which includes a drum, a fan to circulate air within the drum, and at least one heater to heat air provided to the drum, and uses the motor and the at least one heater as a load, includes, upon receiving a drying process command from a user, receiving power rate information for each hour from an energy management system (EMS), recognizing current power rates on the basis of the power rate information for each hour, determining whether the current power rates are higher than reference power rates by comparing the current power rates with the reference power rates, and adjusting the operation rate of any one of the motor and the at least one heater when the current power rates are higher than the reference power rates. The drying machine changes the load operation rate before the power rates exceed the reference power rates, resulting in reduction in power consumption.

Abstract: In a washing machine, a power management apparatus and a method of controlling the same, washing operation and drying operation commands are input by a user, power rate information for each time period is received from an EMS, a drying operation execution time is confirmed, and power rates corresponding to the drying operation execution time are determined based on the power rate information for each time period. Then, the power rates corresponding to the drying operation execution time are compared with the standard power rates to determine whether the power rates corresponding to the drying operation execution time are higher than the standard power rates, and an algorithm of a final spinning mode in the washing operation is adjusted if the power rates corresponding to the drying operation execution time are higher than the standard power rates.

Abstract: A washing mode set by a user is changed to a washing mode having a low energy cost and washing effect corresponding to the washing effect of the user-set washing mode, and a washing operation is performed in the changed washing mode. Details of the washing mode change and energy cost change according thereto are displayed on a display such that a user confirms them and determines whether or not to select a washing mode having lower energy cost. Upon completion of the washing operation, an energy cost reduction result is displayed on the display such that the user can directly confirm energy reduction effect, thereby remarkably improving the reliability of the washing machine.

Abstract: A washing machine having a steam generator, which prevents the accumulation of scale in the steam generator due to the long-term use thereof, and a method for controlling the same. The washing machine includes a water supply valve for supplying water to the inside of the steam generator therethrough so as to cool the steam generator when the operating time of the steam generator exceeds a predetermined time, and a controller for controlling the operation of a heater for heating the water supplied through the water supply valve.

Abstract: A washing machine and a control method thereof to achieve washing performance using bubbles without damage to fiber structures of functional clothes. When a washing course of functional clothes is selected, a motor is frequently rotated at a period of a predetermined time or less, causing the clothes to uniformly adsorb the water. Thereafter, bubbles are generated and applied to the clothes. A drive operation rate of the motor is raised stepwise to wash the clothes to which the bubbles have been applied, so as to effectively remove sweat, contaminants, or the like contained in the clothes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a washing machine and a control method thereof. The control method effectively transmits high-concentration wash liquid to laundry, while minimizing the amount of water used, through washing using bubbles, and maximizes the increase in volume of the wash liquid rubbed on the inner circumferential surface of the drum using the generation of bubbles and the rotation of the drum to raise the water level of the wash liquid without additional water.

Abstract: A washing machine and a water level control method thereof that can supply an appropriate amount of water based on the amount of laundry using a conventional water level sensor even when the washing machine has a holeless rotary drum. The water level control method includes supplying water between the water tub and the rotary drum, introducing the supplied water into the rotary drum, discharging the introduced water out of the rotary drum, and detecting the water level of the water remaining in the water tub, and comparing the detected water level with a predetermined water level and, when the detected water level is below the predetermined water level, resupplying water between the water tub and the rotary drum until the detected water level reaches the predetermined water level.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a control method of a washing machine that performs washing using bubbles. The control method may generate a large number of bubbles using a small amount of water to reduce water consumption and transmit detergent water to laundry placed in the washing machine effectively and rapidly using high-concentration detergent on the surfaces of the bubbles, thereby reducing time and energy consumption and improving washing efficiency. The bubbles may act as a cushion to reduce friction between laundry articles, thereby preventing expensive laundry (such as wool or silk) from being damaged due to the friction between the laundry articles and between the laundry and water and preventing damage to and deformation of general laundry when washing the laundry.

Abstract: Disclosed are a washing machine and a controlling method, capable of maintaining an optimal temperature for efficient generation of foam to perform foam washing that uses a large amount of foam in washing laundry, thereby accomplishing optimal washing efficiency. The controlling method for the washing machine according to the present invention comprises supplying washing water with detergent required to generate foam, generating foam using detergent water which is a mixture of the washing water and the detergent, transmitting heat to the generated foam by heating the detergent water, and washing laundry using the foam.

Abstract: A washer has a structure to prevent overheating of a heater. The washer includes a tub to contain wash water, a rotating drum provided in the tub, a heater to heat water in the tub, and a circulation unit to supply water in the tub to the rotating drum. A circulation hole is formed at a height same as or greater than a mounting height of the heater to allow water to flow into the circulation unit. This prevents the height of water from becoming less than the mounting height of the heater even when the circulation unit is in operation, thereby preventing overheating of the heater.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a washing machine that is capable of preventing the deformation of laundry due to spin-drying holes, increasing friction between the inner surface of a washing tub and laundry to improve the washing efficiency, and reducing wash water consumption. The washing machine includes a water tub, a washing tub mounted in the water tub, a drive unit to rotate the washing tub, and a wash water circulation unit to supply wash water in the water tub into the washing tub. The washing tub has a plurality of depressions formed therein and depressed outward from the inner surface thereof in the shape of a polygonal pyramid, and a plurality of spin-drying holes formed in a deep area of the respective depressions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a washing machine and a control method of the same that is capable of maximizing a contact time between water and laundry, thereby improving the rinsing efficiency while using a small amount of water. The washing machine includes a water tub, a rotary drum mounted in the water tub to receive laundry, and a circulation unit to supply water from the water tub into the rotary drum. The control method includes detecting an amount of load according to a weight of the laundry, supplying an amount of water set according to the detected amount of load into the water tub, and supplying the water in the water tub to the laundry by alternately operating the rotary drum and the circulation unit.

Abstract: A washing machine and a washing control method of the same that squeeze detergent water from the laundry, heat the squeezed detergent water, and resupply the heated detergent water, thereby performing heated washing using a minimized amount of water. The washing machine includes a water tub, a rotary drum mounted in the water tub to receive laundry, and a circulation unit to supply water from the water tub into the rotary drum. The washing control method includes detecting an amount of a load according to a weight of the laundry, supplying an amount of water set according to the detected amount of load, supplying the water in the water tub into the rotary drum through the circulation unit to wet the laundry, separating the water from the laundry by rotating the rotary drum, and heating the separated water and resupplying the heated water into the rotary drum through the circulation unit.

Abstract: A washing machine, and a method to control same, prevents deposition of scale in a steam generator and removes deposited scale effectively. The washing machine, which has a rotary drum, a steam generator having a generator heater to supply steam to an inside of the rotary drum, and a water supply device to supply water to the steam generator, includes a control unit controlling the water supply device to allow water to pass intermittently through the steam generator to cool the steam generator when operation of the steam generator is terminated.

Abstract: A washing machine and a water level control method thereof that can supply an appropriate amount of water based on the amount of laundry using a conventional water level sensor even when the washing machine has a holeless rotary drum. The water level control method includes supplying water between the water tub and the rotary drum, introducing the supplied water into the rotary drum, discharging the introduced water out of the rotary drum, and detecting the water level of the water remaining in the water tub, and comparing the detected water level with a predetermined water level and, when the detected water level is below the predetermined water level, resupplying water between the water tub and the rotary drum until the detected water level reaches the predetermined water level.