Washing MachinesCompact Front Load
Summit SLW343 Washing Machine Manual
Setup, everyday use, maintenance and troubleshooting for the 2.3 cu. ft. compact front-load washer, with verified specifications.
- Capacity2.3 cu. ft.
- Water factor4
- Est. yearly cost$57.00
About the Summit SLW343
Model SLW343 from Summit is a 2.3 cu. ft. compact front-load washer that meets ENERGY STAR efficiency requirements. The cabinet is 23.4 in. wide.
As a front-loader, it tumbles clothes through a small pool of water, which uses less water and spins faster than a typical top-loader, so clothes come out drier. Its 24 in.-class width suits closets, apartments and stacked installations.
Listed features include delay start.
Rated energy use is 100 kWh per year, and its integrated water factor (IWF) is 4, 15% below the federal maximum.
Specifications
| Brand | Summit |
|---|---|
| Model number | SLW343 |
| Configuration | Compact Front Load |
| Loading | Front Load |
| Drum capacity | 2.3 cu. ft. |
| Width | 23.4 in. |
| Federal minimum IMEF | 1.84 cu. ft./kWh/cycle |
| Integrated water factor (IWF) | 4.0 gal/cycle/cu. ft. |
| Federal maximum IWF | 4.7 gal/cycle/cu. ft. |
| Annual energy use | 100 kWh/yr |
| Annual water use | 2,667 gal/yr |
| Listed features | Delayed Start, Hand Wash Cycle, Anti-Wrinkle |
| Smart / connected features | No |
| Paired ENERGY STAR dryer available | No |
| ENERGY STAR Most Efficient | No |
Safety information
- Plug the washer into a grounded three-prong outlet on the circuit specified in the installation instructions. Do not use an extension cord or adapter, and do not remove the ground prong.
- Never wash or dry items that have been cleaned, soaked or spotted with gasoline, solvents, cooking oil or other flammable substances.
- Check inside the drum before every cycle — children and pets can climb into a front-loading drum. Do not let children play on or in the machine.
- Keep detergent pods and liquid detergent out of children's reach; pods are a poisoning hazard.
- Do not force the door open while it is locked; it unlocks when the drum has stopped and the water level is safe.
- Turn off the water supply valves if you will be away for an extended time, and inspect fill hoses regularly for bulges or cracks.
Installation and first-time setup
This model is 23.4 in. wide according to the certification data. Allow room in front for the door to swing open and for you to load and unload comfortably. Leave about an inch on each side and several inches behind for hoses and airflow, and measure doorways on the delivery path.
- Remove the shipping bolts
Remove every transit bolt and spacer from the rear panel and fit the supplied hole caps. Running the washer with shipping bolts in place causes violent vibration and can damage the drum suspension. Keep the bolts for future moves.
- Connect the water supply
Attach new hot and cold fill hoses (braided stainless steel is the most durable choice) with the supplied rubber washers. Hand-tighten, then add about two-thirds of a turn with pliers. Open the valves and check for drips.
- Route the drain hose
Hook the drain hose into a standpipe or laundry tub at the height range given in the installation instructions. Leave an air gap around the hose in the standpipe — sealing it tight can siphon water out of the washer.
- Level the washer
Adjust the front (and rear, if adjustable) legs until the washer is level side to side and front to back and does not rock diagonally. Tighten the lock nuts against the cabinet so the legs cannot drift.
- Stacking (optional)
If you stack a dryer on top, use only the manufacturer's stacking kit for your models, and make sure the floor can support the combined weight.
- Run a test cycle
Run a short rinse-and-spin or cleaning cycle with the drum empty to flush the machine, then check the hose connections and the floor for leaks.
Using your washer
Loading
With 2.3 cu. ft. of drum space, this model suits smaller loads and households. Fill the drum loosely, up to about three-quarters full; clothes need room to tumble. Mix large and small items so the load balances during spin.
Detergent
Use only high-efficiency (HE) detergent. Low-water washers need far less of it than older machines — follow the dose lines for your load size and water hardness, because excess suds leave residue and can interrupt the spin. Put pods in the drum before the clothes, never in the dispenser drawer.
Choosing cycles and temperatures
- Use cold water for most loads. Heating water accounts for most of a washer's energy use, and modern detergents clean well in cold water.
- Choose the highest spin speed the fabric can tolerate; drier clothes mean a shorter, cheaper dryer cycle.
- Run full loads when you can — a full load uses far less energy and water per pound of laundry than several small ones.
- Delay start lets you schedule the wash to finish when you are home, so wet laundry does not sit and sour — or to run during off-peak utility hours.
Care and maintenance
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| After each wash | Wipe the door gasket and glass dry, and leave the door ajar so the drum can dry — but only where children and pets cannot climb inside. |
| Every month | Run a cleaning cycle or the hottest empty cycle with a washer cleaner. Remove and rinse the detergent dispenser drawer or cups. |
| Every 1–3 months | If your model has a drain-pump filter behind a small panel at the lower front, drain it into a shallow pan and clear out coins, buttons and lint. |
| Every 6 months | Check the fill hoses for bulges, cracks or leaks at the fittings; clean the inlet screens if fill slows down. Recheck that the washer is level. |
| Every 5 years | Replace rubber fill hoses even if they look fine. |
| Before a long absence | Turn off both water valves and unplug the washer. In unheated spaces, have the machine winterized as the manual describes to prevent freeze damage. |
Troubleshooting
Most washer problems are caused by loading, detergent, hoses or leveling. Try the checks below first; if the display shows a code, look it up in the code table in your manufacturer's manual.
| Problem | Possible cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Washer will not start | Door or lid not latched; control lock or delay start active; water valves closed; tripped breaker. | Close the door firmly, cancel the lock or delay, open both valves and check the breaker. |
| Will not drain or spin | Clogged drain-pump filter; kinked drain hose; unbalanced load; excess suds. | Clean the pump filter, straighten the hose, redistribute the load and cut back on detergent. |
| Shakes or walks during spin | Shipping bolts still installed; washer not level; unbalanced load; weak floor. | Remove all shipping bolts, re-level and tighten lock nuts, and mix heavy and light items. |
| Musty odor | Moisture trapped in the door gasket; detergent overuse; door kept closed. | Run a cleaning cycle, use less HE detergent, remove wet laundry promptly and let the drum dry between uses. |
| Water on the floor | Loose or damaged fill hose; drain hose not secured in the standpipe; excess suds; door gasket damage. | Tighten or replace hoses, secure the drain hose, use HE detergent sparingly and inspect the gasket. |
| Clothes still very wet | Unbalanced load reduced the final spin; low spin speed selected; drain issue. | Redistribute the load and run a drain-and-spin cycle at a higher speed. |
| Cycle takes longer than expected | Load sensing, balancing attempts or added options; low water pressure. | Long cycles are normal for high-efficiency washers. Check that both valves are fully open. |
| Detergent residue on clothes | Too much detergent; overloaded drum; pods placed in the dispenser. | Use less detergent, load more loosely, and put pods in the drum first. |
Energy use and running costs
The Summit SLW343 is rated at 100 kWh per year under the U.S. Department of Energy test procedure. The figure covers the washer's own electricity plus the energy to heat its wash water, assuming an electric water heater. At $0.17 per kWh that is about $17.00 per year.
Rated water use is 2,667 gallons per year, about $40.00 at $0.015 per gallon for water and sewer. Combined, expect roughly $57.00 a year in washer running costs.
| Rating | This model | Federal standard |
|---|---|---|
| IWF (lower is better) | 4 | 4.7 |
Its water factor is better than 27% of comparable models in our database.
Washing in cold water, running full loads and using the highest safe spin speed are the three habits that cut laundry costs the most — the last one also shortens drying time.
Frequently asked questions
What is the drum capacity of the Summit SLW343?
The Summit SLW343 has a 2.3 cubic-foot drum.
What are the dimensions of the Summit SLW343?
The certification data lists a width of 23.4 in. Confirm the remaining dimensions with the manufacturer's specification sheet.
How much does it cost to run the Summit SLW343?
It is rated at 100 kWh and 2,667 gallons of water per year — about $57.00 a year at $0.17/kWh and $0.015/gallon.
Does the Summit SLW343 have steam or sanitize cycles?
is listed among its features.
Is there a matching ENERGY STAR dryer for the Summit SLW343?
The certification record does not list a paired ENERGY STAR dryer for this washer.
Is the Summit SLW343 ENERGY STAR certified?
Yes. It appears on the ENERGY STAR certified clothes washers list, with a certification date of January 2025.
Sources and disclaimer
Specifications on this page come from the ENERGY STAR certified washing machines dataset published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (record certified January 13, 2025), retrieved October 7, 2026.
The setup, operating, maintenance and troubleshooting guidance is written by ManualHarbor's editors for this specific product type and configuration. It is an independent guide — not a reproduction of the manufacturer's manual — and ManualHarbor is not affiliated with Summit. Always follow the safety instructions, installation requirements and warranty terms supplied with your unit, and contact Summit or an authorized service provider for warranty repairs and replacement parts.
Running-cost figures use assumed U.S. average utility prices and are estimates for comparison only. See our editorial methodology for details.
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