Buying the Right Washer for You
Dec 26 '02
The Bottom Line Buy the extended warranty. Don't buy the top of the line they are overkill. Choose your seller carefully. Let them install and haul. Buy in pairs it is cheaper.
Recently our family had to replace our Washer and Dryer. They were both fifteen years old and I had been keeping them in repair myself. The latest malfunction with the Washer was going to be a costly repair even if I did it myself and I decided it was time to bite the bullet and buy a new set.
The washer tub was rusted and half hanging in there and the motor on the dryer was beginning to wear out. Small repairs like heating elements, thermostates, dials and switches and door sensors can all be repaired by the homeowner. There are some good websites out there on repairing them yourself. The best one I have used is: http://users.ev1.net/~oschmidt/default.html
Save yourself a service call and repair them yourself. You may not need a new washer or dryer, just a 3 to 10 dollar part and a screwdriver. I can't tell you how many 4 dollar door sensors I replaced for friends who thought their units had died.
Our old set was made by Whirlpool and we had purchased them through a local appliance dealer (APSCO) in our area. Because I have worked on machines myself I favor Whirlpool. The washers are simple to repair and built like a Peterbuilt truck. Sears Kenmore are very similar. Both offer direct drive washers. This means no belts to break. Maytags are for those with deeper pockets than mine. All are good quality.
We ended up with "Estate" Whirlpool washer and dryer this time around. Apsco carries the "Estate" brand because there are fewer model types to carry. We chose the TAWS800JQ washer and the TEDS840JQ Dryer. Both super capacity. The washer is top loader and the Dryer has a large door that folds down rather than a small to the side type. One thing I did notice about the new set and they are very similar to the old set is the steel used in the unit housing seems a little thinner. In the general Whirlpool line of machines they are offering an insulated line. They are a bit more but for those who have their W/D in the kitchen or a utility room next to a baby room and quiet is important this may be a consideration for you. But the washer has a white heavy duty warrantied porceline basin and the dryer has an internal light. The dryer can also use a sweater/shoe drying rack purchased separately. Estate was a very old company bought out by Whirlpool and known for quality. It's Whirlpool in every sense of the word though.
Now I'll tell you how we picked out what we were going to buy. As usual I checked out Eopinions to get a general consensus on prices and features. I also went to the Whirlpool,Kenmore and Maytag websites to check out models.
Most people don't need every bell and whistle. I am really leary of the new digital controls and sensors. More to break down. Heat and vibration wreck havoc. Design engineers just use top of the line to sell to millionaires and exercise their imaginations. That will usually eliminate the top 20 percent of the models out there.
Now you have to determine the amount of space in place you will be putting said W/D But realize most are the same size with the exception of the stacked W/D for appartment.
dwellers.
Next you want to choose capacity size. I recommend you go for supersize. Even if you are by yourself. If you like to wash large towels,bedspreads,sheets and bathrugs and or like to do wash large loads less often super is a must. If you have a family of 4 definitely. Most people overstuff the smaller units and end up with more repairs. That's why most coin operated laundry owners are fanatics about customers abusing their machines with overstuffing. And remember Extra large is not the same as Super. Super is super.
On a washer you also will be concerned with the construction of the drum, the motor and the agitator. There are differences. Porceline is better than plastic. Duel action agitators are a new feature in some. They twist and thus move the fabrics from top to bottom. And Direct Drive units are more trouble free than belt driven. Fabric softner and bleach dispensers are a must have these days and save your cloths from bleach marks.
The next thing you want to look at is Cycle Choices, Water Level choices and Water Temperature settings. I say the basic cycle choices should include gentle for delicates,permanent press, and a heavy cycle for towels and underwear. Water levels should include small,med and large loads (this saves you water) and for water temperatures hot, warm and cold will do ya.
When it comes to dryers think in the same way. Less is more. 3 temps, 3 or 4 cycles. Make sure it has a loud buzzer and some today have a cycle that will periodically keep the laudry tossing in case you miss the buzzer. Mine has that feature. I like that new option. Also some dryers have an interior light. I like that. I also favor the drop down large door. Much easier to get cloths out and you have an extra work space to lay cloths as you fold. Today's dryers also have more advanced sensors that prevent the unit from overdrying the cloths. This keeps them from literally frying the fibers and thus wearing out your cloths more quickly. This is a good improvement. Also look for a top mound lint catcher. These will need to be pulled out and the lint removed. This is a very important feature.
Next you want to determine price based on the above criteria that you can manage. Figure for a super w/d with the above features to run you about 7 to 8 hundred dollars for the pair. Buy in pairs. You will get a better price. If you have a working dryer or the reverse you can always sell it to someone who may need one and off set the costs of your new ones.
Determine name brand. I told you my favs. Now choose your vendor. I prefer to go to an appliance dealer. True you can get some tremendous deals at Best Buy, Sams Club and Home Depot and that may be the way you want to go. You will be taking a chance with service. I do recommend buying at least a 3 year extended warranty any place you go. You will be married to these appliances for at least 10 years and you will need to cover the chance of getting a lemon or your occasional need to abuse your machine by washing a load of tennis shoes. Know what you are getting in the warranty. Does it cover all parts, labor and the service call. Check this out. Call around to see what the typical warranties cover. Are these factory trained service guys? Appliance Centers are usually also Factory service centers and they carry parts. The discount stores subcontract and you don't know who you are getting. Ask. If you are a busy type, not physically able, or not a handy type this is mandatory. Don't cheap out on this. This is a big chunk of change. Even a stacked W/D for apartments runs about 800.00. Make sure you are covered.
Finally you want to know how are you going to get it to your house, who is going to set it up and if you need who will take away the old. This is where Appliance Centers really shine. There is usually a fee but it gives you added assurance. If something is not right. They did it and not you. Not to mention they have the right dollies and trucks and big large guys to move and install. We opted for this service. They also hauled away our old ones. It was so nice.
Figure on 800 to a 1000 dollars for the set,warranty, delivery,setup and haul away old ones.
Take care and mind your delicates.
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
truthjustice
|
|
Reviews written: 5
Trusted by: 0 members
|
|
|
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.