How to Choose and Install Laundry Appliances | Ask This Old House

Ask This Old House plumbing expert Richard Trethewey helps a couple pick out and install energy efficient appliances.

Tools:

Shopping List:

Steps:
1. Richard discusses the options for the latest laundry appliance technology.
2. Richard shows off a top-loading washer. It’s the most commonly used, but highly inefficient. It doesn’t leave clothes very dry which means more electricity costs when it comes to the dryer. Richard also explains the top loader uses 40 gallons of water to wash one large load of laundry.
3. Richard then shows off a high-efficiency top loading model of washer. It does not include a center agitator and has a high-efficiency motor. Per load, this model uses 17 gallons of water.
4. Finally, Richard shows off a high-efficiency front-loading model that has a second washer below the larger one. It has double the capacity and uses only 13 gallons of water per load. Less than half of the typical washer.
5. For the installation, set down the bottom portion of the dryer and adjust the knobs at the bottom to make it level on the floor.
6. Place the top of the dryer on the base.
7. Connect the exhaust hose to the back of the dryer and tighten the clamp using a screwdriver to keep it in place.
8. Plug the dryer into a 220-volt outlet.
9. Level the pedestal washer, once again using the knobs on the base.
10. Place the washing machine on top of the pedestal washer and secure with screws.
11. Connect bronze splitters to main water connections.
12. Connect stainless steel braided hoses to the splitters and to the inlets on the washing machine.
13. Snug up the connections using an adjustable wrench or pliers.
14. Connect the discharges from both washing machines to a laundry basin or a stand pipe drain.
15. Plug the washing machines in to a standard receptacle.

About Ask This Old House TV:
Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers—and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.

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How to Choose and Install Laundry Appliances | Ask This Old House

[patraic]

I discovered front loaders when my kids were babes in arms 20 years ago. When we switched from a top loader our water bill dropped by about 40% in one month. Not only that but it cleaned our cloths so much more thoroughly we could actually feel the difference when we got dressed after the first wash cycle. The really dark color of the first rinse water was also a clue indicating how much cleaner our cloths were. We've used nothing else since and wouldn't consider a top loader ever again.

[briancorrigan]

Don't forget, when you turn down the adjusting feet, turn the lock nuts up against the unit's chassis. Otherwise, the feet could loose adjustment over time.

[mikesecor]

That baby looks good. Start saving for repair bills. Surprised at this old House.

[senortizzle]

I wish I could walk into the store and just say "BOOM! I'll take the most expensive one you've got".

[johnanders]

Richard favorite words ever: “FULL CITY WATER PRESSURE”

[justme]

Which one do you want?
That one over there.
No stick to the script well pay for it
Oh uh this one right here
Really wow ok cool

[bengaljam]

Most of the new washers have a computer system that when it goes out makes the washer a throw away as the cost of repair does not make it economical. Went back to the old style washer and dryer that are easy and cheap to fix. Have had mine for 15 years. My smart washer lasted 2 years.

[dreammaker]

The information on water usage and what type of products to purchase was excellent. But my question to you is why are you using a cheap dryer vent hose and a potential fire risk?

[rcole]

The questions they need to be asking is how easy these things are to work on and how the designs are different in the mechanics. I want the steak, not the sizzle.

[williamcawley]

For over 30+ years my parents and there family have been doing front loaders in England and in Ireland so it was an easy choice to go front loader

[mr.dahliaking.]

Good old bosch front loader with all aluminum frame inside, stainless steal tub and drum and brass pump will last for a 100 years. I have mine, made in 1992 in germany. I bought it back in 1993 for 1100 dollars. It can wash, and dry. Has a shitload of different settings, has good old transformer relays and clunky diodes for motor regulation. Motor is full copper with huge heavy rotor. Spins up to 3500 rpm and was serviced only ONCE trough the whole time i have it, last year, when motor capasitor failed. I use it every week, cram the drum tight with clothes, and always comes out beautifully cleaned. Will never buy a new front loader, will only keep my trusty bosch front loader, made in 1992.

[wholeNwon]

If you have one of the old style agitator top loaders, KEEP IT! Repairs are almost always easy DIY things. I kept mine going for 47 years. The so-called "high efficiency" top loaders are very poor designs that tend to damage fabrics. They often have no basket brakes or filters, balance poorly, have weak cabinets. They are unlikely to be durable. If you have one of them, be sure to plug it into a surge suppressor and keep your fingers crossed.

[hunkydude]

get a used top loader and dryer for the fraction of the cost and save tons of money down the road.

[karenw]

I was also told that the front load washing machines are about 100 lbs heavier than top loaders since they have concrete in them. A good consideration if you are moving in the near future. The other downside is that sometimes they can get moldy or mildewy in the rim around the door.

[HodajuciParadoks]

In real world the most important thing is the price and the art of balancing price, the space it takes and how good it is...

[AGreedyTree]

I had a front loading Kenmore Elite but sold it to a friend when I bought my house since the house came with a unitized washer/dryer combo. I liked the capacity of the front loader but the old school top loader takes 1.5 hours less for a heavy duty wash cycle.

[SaltySparrow]

I love my front loader - I also recommend the ones that automatically put in the detergent so you dont overdo it and make it gross. Clean it out once a month and you're golden.

[rdaxis]

#1 answer... One you can buy the spider-arm bearings and seal's separately on the washer period, these are the biggest wear parts on any front loader machine and the biggest thing to consider. Or just individual parts in general. Some company's force you to buy ENTIRE assembly's for almost half the cost of the machine instead of a 40-50 dollar separate part. Whirlpool is notorious for this. So the VERY first question you ask, and ask as if you already own the machine. Are the spider arm bearings and seal available separately for purchase.

[christopheryannakis]

I love how they use the water consumption of a top loader doing a *superwash to make the water consumption look as bad as possible

[bdri]

bless your hands, you're amazing and this washer and dryer are amazing good for the lovely couple