Washer and Dryer

I bought a stackable washer and dryer set for my new home. They're compact and fit in a small space in my bathroom. To save water and energy, I got a front-loading energy star washer.

My local Sears had this Kenmore washer and dryer set that is a little smaller than their full-size front-loading units. The capacity looks plenty big enough for me. A family of four might want something bigger. The appliances are designed to stack -- you just take the top off the washer, install clips and lift the dryer on top. The dryer only weighs about 100 pounds so that wasn't too hard.

I had the plumbers install a drain pan for under the washer and dryer. They're on the second floor, so a leak would be a big problem. We got the units upstairs before the spiral stairs were installed. Marshall brought his winch, which we attached to the ceiling joist in the stairwell, and we cranked 'em right up. Easy.

Energy Star Washer

I bought an energy star washer, which is really a no-brainer these days. Modern front-loading machines use less energy, less water, and spin so fast they get more water out of your clothes. Why would anyone buy a top-loading machine?

There are no energy star dryers. The government says all dryers use similar amounts of energy, and a solar clothes dryer (a clothesline) is the real energy saver. I'm going to have a clothesline and use it in good weather.

The good folks at Sears opened the boxes and inspected my washer and dryer before I picked them up. They even attached the washer to a water line and tested it. That's a nice touch considering how often appliances are damaged in shipping.