Not sure what to look for in a washing machine?

tydollasigncuz on 14/09/2020 - 19:23
Last edited 14/09/2020 - 19:51

Hi, I'm moving into a new rental.

all bills are included in rent except electricity is only up to 30$ per week.

i don't own a washing machine, i don't know washing machines.

I have enough space for separate washing machine and dryer.

Don't care about water usage at all, i'm more than happy for it to spend plenty of water, just want the electricity efficiency to be good.

im at this place for a year (hopefully) so I prefer actually owning a washing machine rather than getting recommended to go to the laundry mat unless you really really think its for the best.

currently looking at fb marketplace.

not sure if top or front is better and what the different L means

also, i only moved away from my parents recently.

budget is honestly flexible. if i get more value spending a crazy amount, im happy to spend 500$

Electrical & Electronics Washing Machine

Comments

  • oscargamer on 14/09/2020 - 19:43
    +3
    1. Can you fit a top loader?
    2. If you can, then buy a front loader regardless
    3. Better to buy new than FB
    4. What's your budget?
    • tydollasigncuz on 14/09/2020 - 19:54

      budget is honestly flexible. if i get more value spending a crazy amount, im happy to spend 500$

      • brendanm on 14/09/2020 - 22:28
        +4

        I'f you think $500 is a crazy amount, you obviously haven't looked at the price of washing machines.

    • tydollasigncuz on 14/09/2020 - 19:58

      aksim whats your thoughts on this comment

      "Top loaders do generally use more water when you compare the same capacity to their front loader counterparts but have the convenience of being able to add extra clothing once the cycle begins. They also are more reliable as they don't suffer from balancing issues as time goes by (front loaders generally die because the drum is off centre and begin adding additional load - centripetal force onto the components eventually killing the machine, an extreme example is that Harlem shake video of a FL being destroyed a few years back)"

      • smashman42 on 14/09/2020 - 20:20
        +1

        There's front loaders out there that you can add clothes to after the cycle begins now, though it might only be certain models (my LG has it, so long as you're still in the wash cycle and not in the rinse/have water level too high you can pause and open it)

      • conan2000 on 14/09/2020 - 22:47
        +1

        Do you really care if you can add things after it started? I have mostly had front loaders and if I forget a couple of items, they go in the basket for the next wash. I wouldn't say one is more reliable than the other. Our LG front loader is 10 years old, we're a family of 4 so it's had heavy use.

        • DashCam AKA Rolts on 14/09/2020 - 23:18
          +1

          Just a handy feature and it means a supposed shortcoming compared to top-loaders can be ignored.

        • Phinxx on 31/10/2020 - 13:45

          A bit late. But, another benefit is if you think you might have left keys/phone/money in your clothes. You can stop and check.

  • team teri on 14/09/2020 - 20:33
    +1

    I also have to vote for front loaders.

    Admittedly the only time I used top loaders myself was when I was in a rental that provided them. Not sure they all are the same, but those ripped clothes to pieces.

    Front loaders generally are more water and energy efficient. There also are models that allow you to add laundry during the cycle, if that is important to you, check the specs (the water doesn't come up high enough for that to be a problem).

    Was going to recommend one of the cheaper Bosch models that from memory came close to your target price, but upon looking right now prices aren't as enticing. Something like this: https://www.harveynorman.com.au/bosch-7-5kg-front-load-washi…

    I'm sure you can get below $700 with some tricks, but getting to $526 might be hard these days

    • conan2000 on 14/09/2020 - 22:49

      Yeah, I've only had top loaders in a couple of rentals when I was younger, and they destroyed my clothes compared to a front loader.

  • jpbattle on 14/09/2020 - 20:53

    My one lesson:
    Check if your rental has both hot and cold taps.
    We only had cold water to the shared utility room.
    Some machines don’t have heat pumps.
    Spent way too long not able to do a hot wash.
    Never felt so dumb.

  • SupeNintendoChalmers on 14/09/2020 - 21:15
    +1

    only if you can afford it, get a Miele. Very quiet, economical, leaves your clothes quite dry-ish, and very energy efficient.

  • John Kimble on 14/09/2020 - 21:17

    https://www.google.com/search?q=what+to+look+for+in+a+washin…

    not sure if top or front is better and what the different L means

    What L?

  • pjetson on 14/09/2020 - 23:18

    I really like the two Fisher & Paykel top loaders that I own. One is in a holiday house, so it doesn't get as much use as the other, but it's more than 25 years old and it still runs perfectly. The spin speed is so high that the clothes come out nearly dry.

  • Wickz on 15/09/2020 - 00:00

    I personally prefer front loaders so I can either put them under a bench or stack my dryer on top. (I also rent and move a lot).

    My saviour is the time delay feature. I set my washing to be finished either when I wake up in the morning, or for when I’m coming home from work. If you are worried about electricity costs, find out what the rates are for the plans and if there is on / off peak usage, and then use time delay to run your machine during those times.

    Second the above comments to make sure what taps you have in your laundry. Not all washers have internal heat pumps (mine does) so you need to make sure you have the correct taps for your machine.

  • casho on 15/09/2020 - 15:50

    If you are worried about electricity, don't get the dryer, just dry the clothes outside or inside on a clothes horse and fan blowing on them

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