How to Buy a Front Loading Washer and Dryer

Front loading washers and dryers have been around for years, but mostly in commercial laundromats. Now they're all the rage for the home laundry. Front loaders are environmentally friendly, because they use less water and less energy. If you're in the market for a new washer and dryer, you'll pay more on the front end, but you can save money in the long run with these energy efficient appliances.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Determine how much time you want to spend on laundry. Front loading washers have a huge capacity since there's no agitator taking up space in the wash tub. They also spin the water out faster, which means your clothes will need less time to dry. For a busy family, a front loader may be a considerable time saver.

2. Compare noise. Front loading washers and dryers are much quieter than their conventional peers. If your laundry area is in your kitchen, this can be important. However, if you have a dedicated laundry room that can be closed off, you may not care about noise.

3. Measure your space. Many of the front loaders can be stacked. You may also be able to add on a storage bin. If space is tight, this can be a good option.

4. Choose the front loader if you're more interested in decor than function. Most top loaders are only available in white and beige. If color is available, you usually have to pay more. Front loaders come in a range of decorator colors.

5. Decide how much you're willing to spend. The front loading models cost several hundred dollars more than top loaders, but you can realize significant savings over time because of reduced energy costs.

Tips & Warnings

• No matter what the ads tell you, it's not always necessary to replace both of your laundry appliances at the same time. Even if they don't match, they'll still wash and dry your clothes.
• No matter what type of washer and dryer you buy, you should say a polite no to the extended warranty. Research shows repairs come to about the same price as the warranty. Major appliances are usually good for several years.