Points to Consider When Buying a New Washer
By Anna Wallner and Kristina Matistic
The average washing machine uses more energy and more water than any other appliance in the home. So when it's time to upgrade, don't buy based on price alone. Choosing the right machine can mean long-term savings. Here's what to look for when shopping:
- Front loaders cost more up front, but they use less water and less energy than top loaders and are gentler on your clothes.
- Top loaders are easier to access (no stooping), and they're generally less expensive to buy and to repair. But they cost more to run.
- Doing laundry for a large family? Front loaders are often more spacious because they don't have that big agitator in the middle of the drum that takes up so much room.
- Check the Energy Star sticker. Washers with an Energy Star rating will use 50 percent less energy than standard washers.
- Ask about the machine's "transmission." A direct drive may cost more, but it is less likely to need repairs than a belt-driven unit.
- Don't pay more for unneeded bells and whistles. Most people only use a few key settings: a regular cycle, a gentle cycle, a spin cycle, three heat settings—cold, warm and hot, and water-level adjustments.
- Electronic controls may look snazzy, but if they fail, they're much more costly to repair than manual dials.
We tested numerous machines and found that they all did a good job of cleaning heavily soiled clothes. That said, we still prefer front-loading washers: we want to protect our clothes and keep those energy costs under control.
(Anna Wallner and Kristina Matistic host The Shopping Bags. Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.)
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