recently my washer bit the bullet and I was wondering if anybody could give some info on a very efficient washer dryer set. Brandname and model preferably.  I have been looking at steam washers and dryers but haven't heard much on them, any info would be very helpful. Thankyou

My local Sears store is selling the steam models.  Expensive.

Look up consumer guide's and/or consumer report's web site, a lot of valuable info.

Daniel

Our old dryer died about two years ago. We bought the Whirlpool "Duet", front-loader set. Love them!

The washer uses a lot less water AND a lot less detergent (about 60% as much detergent as the old top-loader). In addition, you can set the washer for a REALLY FAST spin speed, which means you are putting the clothes into the dryer with a lot less water in them. This in turn reduces utility costs for drying and reduces wear and tear on your clothes. We find less than 1/2 as much lint in the dryer screen as we had with the old system.

The front-loading washer is also a lot easier on your clothes than a machine with an agitator. The washer will clean as many clothes as you can jam into it, and they come out cleaner.

The only thing I'd do differently if I had it to do over again, is that I would purchase the little pedestals to set the machines on. We didn't get them at the time, and now Whirlpool has discontinued the color we have.

Can you confirm that a "regular load" wash time is considerably longer with the new models? My wife was visiting a friend with a new Whirlpool and she thought it was at least 20-30 minutes longer.  On our 7 yr old Whirlpool, it's 30 minutes with one rinse.

DallasBill,
I was curious, so I just went down and threw a load (12 pairs of jeans), in the washer (Whirlpool Duet).  Set it on regular cycle--warm wash/cold rinse, and set the spin speed to "extra high" (the fastest spin speed).

The timer, which displays remaining time, read 40 minutes when I started.  Had I set it on "Heavy Soil", I think it would have said something like 52 minutes.  I work and play hard, and have never gotten anything dirty enough that it would not get really clean on the regular cycle.  Even stuff like shop rags (my wife hates it when I wash them in 'her' machine), come out completely clean from the regular cycle.

As to dryer timing, it's on a sensor, so how long a cycle takes is directly related to how wet the clothes are when they go in (see the reference to "extra high" spin speed above), what kind of clothes you're drying, and the size of the load.  My dozen pairs of jeans will take the better part of an hour to dry.

On the other hand, if I load it (pretty large load), with my shirts/socks/underwear, and set it on "more dry", the timer says 55 minutes when I start the cycle, but if I go back down in 45 minutes, the cycle will be done.

Like I said in my previous post, it's a good system.  If I were buying another washer/dryer set, I would not hesitate to purchase the duet line again.  BTW, I don't work for Whirlpool--I'm a software developer.

Paul

We bought a pair of high end LG about a year ago including the steam option.
Both models perform very well and we have no complaints.

If we had to do it over however we would pass on the steam option which we have used twice.
The manual isn't very helpuful on what loads would benefit from steam and my wife and I are leary of what items could take that sort of abuse..

The washer is not quick.
I think the range depending on size and temperature is 40-70 mins.

Pedestals are nice as long as your floor is level or close to it.
Ours isn't and it took quite a few attempts to keep the washer stable at all of the available spin speeds.

We purchased our LG washer about two and a half years ago and the dryer about a year and a half ago and are very impressed with both of them. As described above they do take a longer amount of time to go through a wash cycle. However, the amount of water you save is close to half and they come out far dryer so your drying time should be shorter. Most of the LG models also have a sanitizing cycle feature that will heat your water to 180 deg F for those really tough stains. You will also use far less detergent as well. I'm a machinist and they do a great job at getting that machine shop smell out of my clothes. Also on any of the front end machines that you may purchase they do better in a basement or the first floor for sound. If used on the second floor they have a tendency to be loud when they go through the high speed spin cycle to wring them out (ours will spin up too 1000 rpm). Also if you want to save some money see if they have any scratch and dent models or open box specials. We saved $300.00 when we bought our washing machine by doing this and still received the warranty.

I can't really recommend a brand, except I have always used kenmore or whirlpool...lasting long time.
I can recommend a product that hooks to your washer,,,easy install and it eliminates ever the need for hot water and detergent.  there is a good non-toxic, organic cleaner(cleans everything).It's called LaundryPure...www.ecoquest.com/freshway.  It's worth a look. clothes last longer and kills all bacteria.

We are using a front loader for the past three years. Can't say more good things about these machines. Regardless of the time it takes to cycle they are more energy efficient.

We have a new LG set, front load style. Washer is WM2455HG and dryer is DLE5955G. We were stuck in an apartment when our washer went out so we actually bought the washer about two months before the dryer. The washer was on the second floor of the apartment and make alot of noise during spin cycle. We moved and now both units sit on a concrete slab on the first floor. No problems now. Pretty quiet. Most noise is when the washer is draining water. Dryer did not work correctly upon delivery. Repair man came and replaced the circuit board and now it works fine. Cycles in washer are longer, but you can put twice as many clothes in. Instead of doing two loads of jeans, you can combine both and do one. Great for washing large blankets as well. Lots of options with both units. You can do a quick wash which is about 20-25 minutes in length. Gets clothes clean. Would recommend.

I have a Kenmore HE3t set and love it. I got it 4-5 yrs. ago and have never had a problem. I used cloth diapers so I especially liked the sanitary feature and the extra rinse.

Front loaders are one "green" idea that is older than the hills! It's kind of fascinating to see "new" technology come along that improves life! Front loader washers are much better than top loaders, 'cept they're not new. Mom's cousin had a Bendix front loader in 1950. Our first new washer was a Westinghouse front loader bought in 1967. And when we lived in England in 1988 all we saw were front loaders.

My wife and I just purchased a Samsung pair for our new construction and love them. They are the 448 model number in the platinum color, very sleek looking, very quiet, etc. We have a first floor set up and a very open kitchen/great room floor plan and in quiet conversation, you have to struggle to hear them just a few feet away. More importantly than that, the clothes are amazingly clean and have never smelled so fresh. I will not lie, the cycles are definitely longer, but it's worth the wait. And in December, Best Buy was very willing to negotiate the high sticker price.....can't say enough about these models. I was cautioned that repair can be difficult, have not had an issue yet, but did purchase the extended warranty for an extra hundred bucks....

LGs are verry efficient

I realize this is old, but just thought I'd throw this out there.

Just b/c your washer dies doesn't mean you have to buy a new dryer also.  My old dryer works just fine, in fact better than before, drying clothes from my new(er) high efficiency washer

The original author has surely purchased a w/d, but for the sake of continuing this discussion for others, I recently replaced my washer/dryer with Miele (W4840 and T9800). Yes, they did seem expensive, but not when you consider the expected life cycle of these units (25 years vs. 15 years for most washer/dryers). Judging by the weight and ruggedness of these units, I'm guessing Miele builds tanks on the side. They clean/dry clothes beautifully and are extremely economical, (by European standards). I am an engineer and, admittedly, I do become a bit obsessed when researching a big purchase. Frankly, most units struck me as cheap and "disposable" compared to Miele. The up front cost is sobering...but I think they are quite economical/sustainable long term. That's my 2 cents anyway.

Steve

Steve, how quiet are the Miele units? I bought a Miele condensing dryer -- no vent; you pull out a tray and pour the water down the sink.
I was going to put the set in a small closet between the master bedroom and bath, and vent it to the bathroom to capture ambient heat. Extra heat would be most welcome first thing in the morning but not if the dryer wakes us up.
That washer is going to take three strong men to set into place.n

Good luck with the condensing dryer, toddm. I had one in Germany and it bit the dust after a couple of years. Never really did get the clothes dry anyway. They're used over there often in a retrofit situation where there is no good way to bore through 3 feet of stone to place a vent.

Well, yes, if it's pointless to use it will save even more energy, right? Meanwhile I have the world's tightest house. (He says, gasping for oxygen and tugging at a wet shirt.)