Appliance Trends: The New Washer and Dryer Options
Washers and dryers are increasingly designed to better suit the needs of their owners – from platforms to reduce the need to bend and stoop to lots of color choices and huge reductions in environmental impact. Manufacturers have come out with some wonderful new laundry appliances to make washing clothes a much more pleasant experience.
Color Color… Colors
There are lot’s of new colors to liven up your laundry room from bright red to blue to green. Stainless finishes are available as well, as laundry rooms take on more visibility in the main floors of the home.
Better Height
No more bending over to empty the dryer! Platforms are now available for the front loading washer and dryers that are all the rage in appliances these days. Raising the appliances 12-18 inches off the floor, many of these platforms also offer drawer storage for supplies, making it well worth the $150 - $200 cost for these back-savers.
Efficiency
These days going green is the trend for all household appliances, so watch for the Energy Star labels. There are now more Energy Star rated appliances than ever, nearly 40% of washer/dryers are Energy Star rated, up from just 14% in 2002. Energy Star appliances have to meet stringent federal efficiency requirements to achieve the Energy Star rating, and that efficiency comes at a cost premium, which will hopefully be offset by lower utility bills to offset the cost.
Front Loading
Front loading washing machines do not have the center agitator around which your sheets etc. become entangled in the spin cycle. With the middle agitator eliminated, capacity is increased, making them much more efficient in the long run with larger loads.
Features
There are some fantastic new features being offered for washers and dryers, including:
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Tempered glass lids to eliminate the need to open lids to check status;
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Washers and dryers that can ‘talk’ to each other to end cycles at the same time;
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Reduced noise and vibration to allow the appliances to be near living areas without making their presence known;
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Wrinkle reducing steam cycles; and
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Faster spins to reduce drying time.
What are you waiting for?
If you’re redecorating or remodeling your home, update to the laundry room as well. You can save money, suit your individual style and save your back some wear and tear.