Top Ten Checklist for Buying a New Washer and Dryer
A new washer and dryer count as some seriously major appliances – most home owners count on them lasting 10-15 years, and when it’s time to sell the home, there’s a good chance they’ll stay behind. It’s no wonder that setting out to buy the best you can get would be important for anyone!
Here’s a top ten checklist for things to keep in mind when buying a new washer and dryer:
1Do you need to complete larger loads? If you do laundry on a fairly regular basis, if you live alone, or if much of your laundry is dry-cleaned then you’ll likely not need a high-capacity washer and dryer. However, if you have kids, pets, and wash most of your own clothes and linens, you might want to opt for machines that can take larger loads. Some models can take as much as 20 pounds of laundry, so be sure to know how much you’re expecting to wash before you go shopping to buy and new washer and dryer.
2Are you interested in Energy Star ratings? Not every home appliance comes with an Energy Star Rating, but if purchasing appliances in a more environmentally sensible manner matters to you, then this should absolutely be something you consider. Energy Star dryers use 20% less energy than conventional models, while rated washers use 25% less energy and 40% less water than regular washers.
3Do you know your clearance space? There might be nothing worse than falling in love with the perfect appliance, only to have it delivered and not be able to install it because there isn’t enough room in your space. Every washer and dryer will feature measurements of not only the machine itself, but of the clearance requirements – for top loaders, this means how much height is required so the lid can open. You’ll also see clearance for extra equipment like dryer exhaust and hoses. Be sure to have all these measurements written down when you go shopping!
4Are you cramped for space up top? If you haven’t considered it yet, think about going for a front loader. While most of us are more familiar with top loading machines, front loaders are great for anyone who is cramped on space. Many front loading units are also stack-able, allowing for even more space saving in the tiniest of spaces, like closets and bathrooms. Be sure to bring your size and space concerns along with you to the showroom.
5Do you wash a lot of dedicates? Most washers should have a variety of speeds – if you have a lot of delicate items you wash, you will want to be sure that there are more speeds than “heavy duty wash” and “regular wash.” Be sure that the washer you’re looking at either has a steam clean or “gentle wash” cycle that you’ll be able to make use of.
6Have you laid down your costs? Before even looking at new units, decide how much you can spend. Determine if you are comfortable leasing new appliances, or if you want to wait until a sale event occurs. All of this can – and should! – be taken into account before you go shopping for a new washer and dryer.
7How varied of controls do you need? Do you want steam injection cleaning? A rack in your dryer? Touch screen panels? Text alerts when the washer is done? Do you want your washer to automatically adjust and add softener as needed? These are all options available with different models of washers and dryers – you may not even know what options you want until you find out they exist! Try and plan out what special features would be helpful to you, like a loud chime if your laundry room is on the second floor, so you have an idea of what to look for before you buy.
8How eco-conscious are you? Energy Star ratings are one way to go, but also take into account how much water is used, if the washer is able to automatically sense how large the load is and adjusts water as needed, and if the dryer uses moisture sensors to determine when to cut the heat.
9Are you familiar with your hookups? Gas or electric? It’s as basic as that!
10Do you need both? As nice as it is to have a matching set, are you sure you need a new washer and dryer? Check both your machines out and be sure they’re both in need of replacement before making the dive into two brand new machines. Your old ones might surprise you!
Before you run out and get a new washer and dryer, you may want to find out if your old ones can be fixed. It may save you some big bucks in the long run. Got questions? We’ve got answers. Contact us and we’ll be glad to help!
