Buying a new washer and dryer can be a daunting process, especially if one of your old ones has just stopped working.
The choice can be overwhelming: How do you know what features are right for you? What brand should you get? And where do you look in the first place?
In this article We’ll walk you through choosing a new washer and dryer, and help cut through the confusion so you can make an informed decision quickly.
Consider your home environment
How many people live in your home? Are they mostly adults or children?
Do you have a lot of guests over?
These questions will help determine how much laundry you’ll need to do or what size washer and dryer will fit in your home. I
f you live with others, consider their needs as well.
If there’s more than one person who uses the laundry room, it might be worth considering buying a large capacity unit that can handle multiple loads at once.
This is especially useful if you’ve got small children who are constantly dirtying their clothes!
Think about where you’ll put it
It’s important to consider where you’re going to place your new washer and dryer unit before you buy it.
You want them both to fit comfortably in the space where they’ll be located and take up as little room as possible.
There are several factors that affect how much space your new appliances will take up, for example:
The size of your home – If you live in a small apartment or condo, then there won’t be much space for appliances at all!
That being said, many apartments have built-in appliances so this isn’t as much of an issue anymore.
Look for the EnergyStar label
Look for the EnergyStar label when purchasing new appliances.
The EPA and U.S. Department of Energy have partnered together to create EnergyStar, which is an independent certification for products that use 20% less energy than standard models without compromising performance or safety.
The Energy Star logo will appear on all qualifying appliances in the marketplace, so you know that when you see it, the product has been tested and meets strict criteria for efficiency.
The EPA estimates that if every household replaced their old appliances with high-efficiency models they could save more than $370 per year in utility bills, which equates to $3 billion nationwide each year!
Stackable or side-by-side?
Washer-dryer stacks are great space savers, but they can be a bit more expensive than their side-by-side counterparts.
They also require more room to open the door when loading and unloading clothes (unless they have an extra-tall door).
Side-by-side units allow you to load your clothes from either side of the machine, which makes them easier to use if you have limited space in your laundry room or if someone else uses the machine for large loads like blankets or comforters.
If you’re planning on installing your new appliances in an existing space with limited options, side by side may be the best option for you.
This style is also ideal if there isn’t enough room in your laundry room for two machines.
However, if there’s plenty of space, stackable units allow for more flexibility when it comes time to move things around — which can be especially important if your family is growing!
Front-load machines are more energy efficient than top-load ones
Front-load machines are more energy efficient than top-load ones
Front loaders have sensors that detect when clothes have reached the correct temperature for washing and drying, so they don’t waste energy heating water or drying unnecessary items.
They also use about half as much water as top loaders.
Top loaders tend to use more hot water than front loaders because they fill up with water before starting their cycles.
You don’t need a steam feature.
Steam features are usually found only on high-end washers, and they’re not necessary for most households.
The idea behind a steam feature is that it can kill bacteria in your clothes without using chemicals or detergent.
But most people don’t want their clothes smelling like chemicals or having to buy special detergents just to use this feature.
If you do decide that you want a steam feature, make sure that the particles from the steam don’t damage your clothes by putting them in a protective bag before putting them in the wash cycle.
Final thoughts of buying new washer and dryer
Getting the best washer and dryer for your needs, whether that be basic solid appliances from top manufacturers or a more advanced unit with additional features, will depend on what you’re looking for.
Hopefully, this article provided you with some guidance and insight in terms of your purchasing options.
If your washer broke down and you’re still not ready to buy a new one, we at Profixit might be able to help you and fix your washer.
