There are a wide variety of washers to chose from. There are a lot of choices in standard top loaders, as well as many new models of front loaders.

There are a lot of choices in standard top loaders, as well as many new models of front loaders. Front loaders offer great efficiency, lower water usage, lower electricity costs, and often operation cost savings of more than $100 per year.

Several models offer the option of stacking dryers on top, so that they can be used in tight spaces.

No matter which type you select, you will find a variety of features.

Basic models will not offer fabric softener dispensers nor bleach dispensers, but most models feature both. Delicate cycles are also found on most but the most basic models.

Temperature monitors are fairly new. In New England, during the winter, cold water coming in can be pretty cold. Too cold sometimes to allow the detergent to breakdown in the water. Temperature monitors check to make sure the water in cold and warm fills to make sure they are within the ranges specified by the fabric industry. They normally adjust the cold temperature warmer by adding some hot water, and the warm water by adding more hot water. As most machines don't actually heat the water, they can't adjust the hot water fill, it's only as hot as the hot water coming into the machine. The fabric industry recommends cold water washing be 60 to 70 degrees, warm about 85, and hot over 100. These temperatures do vary slightly from brand to brand, but any temperature monitoring system, will get your water temperature closer to where it should be.

If you want a high efficient washer, then very likely you'll be considering a front loader. These washers typically have big capacities, but use very little water. Most front loaders will use less than 20 gallons of water for a complete wash, which has 4 fills, compared to a standard top loader which will use over 40 gallons for just 2 fills. Saving water, saving energy, and saving money are far from the only reasons to buy a front loader.

The tumble action cleans the clothes extremely well, yet is very gentle on the clothes. Better wash performance is hard to find. And they are normally much quieter than top loaders.

Using less that 5 gallons per fill, they tumble the clothes in and out of the water, creating a very gentle wash action. Most families will save at least $100 per year versus using a standard top loader.

They come in a wide variety of models. Some have the controls on the front so that a matching dryer can be stacked on top. Or an optional pedestal can be used so that the door opening is easier to reach.

Or they can have regular rear control panels so they can be matched up with standard dryers.

In addition to the numerous models that can be stacked, some come only as stack units.

Efficiency, wash performance, gentle on clothes, saving water, saving money, quiet operation, and versatility make these washing machines attractive to many consumers.

Generally high efficiency detergents are recommended for these washing machines. Most stores that sell detergent now sell a variety of high efficiency detergents.

Similar to front loading washers, there are a few very high efficient top loaders. GE's Harmony, Fisher & Paykel washers, Maytag's Bravo, and Whirlpool's Cabrio are among them.

some of these washers have no agitators but use new discs to get clothes to turn through the water. They use very little water, sometimes less than the front loaders. They use a shower rinse to be more water efficient.

These high efficiency washers have some of the largest capacities, and are perfect for conservation minded consumers who don't want to bend over into a front loader.

In selecting the first 3 choices tend to be

• brand
• capacity
• true delicate cycle or not.

Most brands offer several models of top load washers. Basic models tend to be smaller in capacity, and lack a delicate cycle.

As you go up, you often will add more cycles including delicates. Fabric softener dispenser and bleach dispenser are found on some basic models, and virtually all step up models. More load sizes, more temperature options, and extra rinse. Some models will offer hand wash. Some will give better warranty coverage, but that tends to be by brand not where a model is in a brands line up. Some brands will change tub materials as they get more deluxe.

Tub materials can be porcelain, plastic, or stainless steel. All 3 are good materials. Stainless is often considered the best because it actually gets smoother with age.

Extra rinse is useful for people in porfessions where they get really dirty, helps to rinse out all the dirt. Or with children that get thier clothes really dirty. Or often with infants who are very sensitive to the detergent, the extra rinse can help eliminate detergent residues that can irritate young children.

The hand wash option is for things that often would be washed in the sink. Typically a handwash cycle will agitate on slow for about 5 seconds, then soak for about 55 seconds, the agitate for 5, and soak for 55. This really reduces the amount of agitation places upon the garmet. You might never wash anything in the sink again.

Stacked washer dryers are often used when the laundry is someplace other than the basement. Most units are 27 inches wide, with a few units that are 24 inches wide. The widest is 27 1/2 inches. This allows for saving space in many laundry rooms.

Stack units can have top loading washers or front loading washers. Most of the features are going to be the same as standard top loaders and front loaders.

Most of the top loading stack units come fully assembled as one piece and are only sold as a set. Maytag offers one top loading unit that comes as a set, but does separate for moving. Many front loaders are purchased as separate units and then are stacked in the home. Only a few front loaders come assembled as a pair.

The pedestals that are offered for some front loading washers cannot be used if a dryer is to be stacked on top. The heights on the stack units vary from about 70 inches to about 77 inches.

Many of the 24 inch wide machines have fairly small capacities such as 1.5 cubic feet, while some of the 27 inch machines have very big capacities up to 3.8 cubic feet. Most typical top loading units are between 3.0 and 3.2 cubic feet.

10 years ago, there was only about 4 models of stack units on the market. Today, there are many, front loaders accounting for most of the new models. Most of the units have gas dryer versions available.

Compact units are often referred to as apartment sized units. These small washers sometimes will have caster wheels so that they can be rolled over to a sink, and come with adapters so that they can attach to a sink. These models on wheels are normally called portables.

Models without wheels are usually refered to as stationary.

The compact dryers are normally only offered as electric dryers, not gas. A few can operate on 110 volts instead of the standard 220 volts, but the 220 volts units tend to be much more efficient. Compact dryers can be quite small in capacity. They are good for the applications where you cannot use a standard dryer.

If you can use a standard washer or dryer, they typically will offer more value that the compact units. Some standard washers are as narrow as 24 inches wide. They will cost less and have larger capacity than the compacts. The compact laundry serves a niche where no other machines can do the job.

There are a few 24" wide front load washers, these cannot have wheels underneath them. But they can be stacked or placed side by side.

Differences in dryers can be numerous. From sensor type, to capacity, to temperature options, to features, to venting or installation options.

Since 1992 the Department of Energy has required all dryers to have a sensor to tell when the clothes are dry. These come in two types Thermostat and Humidistat. Thermostat dryers are usually the most common, they sense the heat exiting the dryer. When the clothes are wet, the clothes absorb the heat, when the clothes become dry more heat passes out the exhaust, thus it can tell when the clothes are dry. Humidistat dryers actually sense the amount of moisture in the clothes so this can be more accurate. A few of the most deluxe dryers now have even more advanced types of humidistats, or have more than one sensor. Most dryers still offer a timer cycle, but it has been well proven that the dryer will operate more efficiently when you utilize one of the sensor cycles. You let it determine when the close are dry so it shuts off when they are dry, versus you picking 55 minutes and guessing that's how long it will take to dry, often over drying or underdrying the clothes.

The compact dryers are normally only offered as electric dryers, not gas. A few can operate on 110 volts instead of the standard 220 volts, but the 220 volts units tend to be much more efficient. Compact dryers can be quite small in capacity. Most standard dryers range from about 5.7 cubic feet, to 7.3 cubic feet, with many brands offering 7.0 cubic feet or larger. The sizes are normally called extra large, king, oversize, super, or super plus, which are hard to understand so we normally will refer to the cubic footage to compare the sizes.

Some basic dryers have only one temperature, while others can have 5 or more temperature selections. Most dryers do include air fluff, and the sometimes will count it as a temperature setting. Most people want at least high, low, and air fluff, but others want more flexibility.

Some other options include buzzers, press guard, drum lights, dryer racks, and electronic controls. Not all dryers have buzzers, but those that do might allow you to turn them on or off, or even adjust the volume. Press guard is nice to have if you do a lot of clothes that need ironing if they are not carefully laundered. On the permanent press cycle first the clothes are dried, then they are tumbled without heat, so that when they sit in a pile in the drum they form less wrinkles than if they were hot. Press guard, which has numerous names, will sit for a few minutes then tumble the clothes a few times, sit again, tumble, sit, and so forth further minimizing the wrinkles and the need for ironing. Some dryers offer drum lights that can make it easier to see inside, especially when it's installed in a dark area. Some models offer dryer racks, but sometimes they are available as options. Racks are good for drying shoes and other odd items when tumbling might harm the item or just make too much noise tumbling. Electronic controls often give you even more flexibility.

Some dryers only vent out the rear of the unit, some will offer the option (normally with an adapter kit at an extra charge) of venting thru the bottom or the side of the dryer. Some dryers, especially ones that match front loading washers, will give you the option of stacking the dryer on top of the washer. Many dryers offer the option of reversing the door swing.

One of the most common problems with a dryer not working properly is the vent. The vent is either too long, or has too many turns, or has become clogged or restricted. If your dryer is drying but is taking a very long time to dry, you may want to first check to make sure the vent is as short and straight as possible. Manufacturers all recomment that the vent hose be metal, and not plastic.

The shorter and straighter the vent hose is, the more efficient it will be. The white vinyl vent hose is no longer recommended. The vent hose should be metallic, and if possible rigid metal.

In many cases a short section of flexible metallic hose along with some rigid metal pipe creates the most workable solution.

Vitually all dryers are offered in both electric and gas versions.

Some dryers offer the controls on the front, to allow them to be stacked on top of the compatible washer.

Most models are available both in electric and gas versions. Only a few compact models and a few exotic models do not have gas versions.

Most gas dryers are factory set up for natural gas, and require an L.P. gas conversion kit for use with propane/bottled gas. Virtually all the dryer conversion kits are a seperate purchase.

Gas will almost always be more efficient to operate than electric.