ApplianceJournal.com

    If it is time for you to purchase a new washing machine, you might have a lot of questions about which is the best for you and your needs. Washers are a real necessity in most homes so this is a very important purchase. With the increase in popularity of front load washers, top load washers are no longer the only option but how do you decide which one is best for you?

Before you make that washer purchase, you need to know if you should get a front load or top load washer. Front load washers are typically the standard in Europe and also in commercial clothes-washing in America and other countries. However, top load washers had been the norm in most American homes. 

That is changing today as more and more people are noticing the convenience as well as other benefits of using a front load washing machine. One reason you might choose a font load washing machine is because it is easier to do your laundry. With the front loader, it is easier to get to your clothing and to change the laundry from the washer to the dryer. Additionally, it can save on space in apartments, tight washrooms and other areas because the washer and dryer can be stacked on top of one another. Some models are even sold with this intended use. 

The benefits to a front load washing machine do not stop there, however. More important than convenience for most people is the fact that it is more energy efficient and you will save on your household energy uses. Front loading machines use about 1/3 to ½ of the water that a top loader uses which means you save on water usage but also when you need warm or hot loads, you will save energy costs for heating the water because less water is used. 

Additionally, many of these new washers have a heating element inside them just like new types of dishwashers. This heating element heats your water directly in the washing machine so you do not have to use your home’s hot water heater which saves on energy costs as well. A final advantage is that since it uses less water, it does not take as much soap or detergent to get your clothing clean. 

Front load washers have a high speed rinse and water-extraction cycles so that your clothing comes out of water less wet which makes drying easier and lowers the wear and tear on your clothing. It is thought by many appliance professionals that front loaders will eventually replace top loaders in the washing machine industry. However, in the mean time, you can usually expect to pay more for a front loader and you may have to use a different type of detergent that you are used to for it to work at it’s best. 

What are some reasons why you might choose a top load instead? One of the biggest reasons why people choose a top leader instead is price. Top loaders are typically cheaper than front loaders but that has been changing in recent years. In the future, front loaders should cost just as much or even less that top loading washing machines. 

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