Does anyone know any benefits of the newer front loader washer/dryer sets? I think they look cooler, but any energy benefits etc? Any advice is appreciated? I plan on having this washer and dryer for a long time so I want to buy good ones (without paying an arm and a leg).
i had a front loader for about a year and a half. i sold it and went back to a top load. the front loader was a pain... the door would lock and not reopen when the cycle was done, the clothes would smell after just leaving them overnight, if you put a ton of clothes in (as they always say you can stuff it) the seal would not close right and leak all over the floor. it was just not worth the hassle. they make more efficient top loaders now, so that's the way i'd go...
I dont have the front loaders, but my mother does.. my old washer recently broke down and I had borrowed hers.. I swear hers made my clothes cleaner.. my mother loves her front loaders, and using hers made me really want one.. So i would go for the front loader..
Go with the front loaders. They use a lot less water. The clothes take less time to dry in your dryer. So it saves on water and electricity. Front loaders are also more gentle on clothes. The clothes are tumbled around to get them clean. The agitator in the center of regular washer machines tears clothes. I absolutely love mine. The brand does make a difference, too. Personally I don't like the Neptunes. My friend has one and it has broken down 2 times in the last 5 years. The whirpool Duet is a good one and ours is a 6 year old Frigidaire. Never had a problem with it at all. It takes about 35 min. to wash and 35 min to dry a load. Plus it seems like I can fit more clothes into one load without affecting the cleaning ability of the washer. Go with the front loaders.
Front loaders (as many here have said) are more energy efficient, and you can get more clothes in one load, plus they take larger articles. (ie sleeping bags) A disadvantage of a front loader is an odour problem. Because of the way it drains, it never drains completely and there is a bit of water left in the bottom. If you do not leave the door open all the way all the time when the machine is not in use, you will find an offensive odour will develop. I know 4 different people who own front loaders and this is their only complaint, and they each own a different brand.
funk.buc. I don't know what front loader washer you're talking about, because front loaders don't fill up with water all the way, so I think if the washer were to malfunction, depends on what brand of washer you have it may have an unlock button or rest button, but pushing either button would not cause that big of a deal. I know, I had to do it once. I just got a little bit of water on the floor, but nothing that a paper towel couldn't handle. Last summer my husband and I went down to Florida to visit some family, and they had the front loaders, and which I used, and my cloths came out much cleaner then the stand-ups. Our friends down there told us how much they love their front loaders, and insisted I got a pair. I just gave away my upright wisher and drier to my brother and purchased front loader both washer and drier. I absolutely love my front loaders. I have a bad back and makes it easier for me to load, unload front loaders. Make sure you get the stand for it, stand has a drawer for storage. But I just made my own, because it still was not high enough for me, plus I made the drawer bigger than the store bought stands. As fare as pricing goes, I think your best bet would be to go with LG, I think they run around the $750 range, but check your local papers they're always on sale. Good Luck. Captain, Chris W T ATP- Lear 45, B747- A380 - A318 CFI
