Keep the 20 year old washing machine/dryer?

[RH]

So we have some old appliances in the house....A 20 year old top load washing machine and dryer (Brand is Montgomery Ward....yep, they are that old). I've done some small repairs on them over the years since they are actually somewhat easy to work on. However, is there any benefit in keeping my eyes open for a new washing machine (on sale) since they use considerable less water and spin the clothes faster to get them dryer? In my area, water and sewer rates are expensive ($90/mo for 2 people). We line dry about 1/2 of our stuff (the delicate items) and I know there is no such thing as an energy efficient machine dryer. We probably do 4-6 loads/week. From what I've heard, new machines are not build as robust as the old machines...Also, does a gentle wash make clothes last longer (our current machine does not have this option).

Or should I just keep the old inefficient beasts running?

[sandandsun]

I'll be watching the responses on this one... same situation here, with Kenmore machines... they still work well (with a few minor repairs over the years), and we have beaten the hell out of them with kid/dog laundry for the last 16 years...

[MayDay]

As you said, no sense in replacing the dryer as none of them are efficient. 

4-6 loads a week for two people is quite a bit.  I would start there and try to reduce that.  For a family of four, we do 4 loads when it's just clothes/towels/regular rags, and 6 in a week with extra sheets to wash from overnight guests, or other unusual laundry. 

Used front loaders tend to be fairly pricey even used, as they are desirable.  And if they break, they are difficult/expensive to fix.  I think you'd be lucky to get more than 10 years from a front loader without some kind of problem, so factor that cost in. 

[RelaxedGal]

TLDR; If you can hook up the washer yourself or with the help of a buddy and are getting one for free, go for it!  Otherwise I doubt it's worth the incremental savings.

Energy Star might be able to give you some guidance.

Long backstory:
I doubt it's worthwhile.  We replaced our equivalently aged washer and dryer with a 2003-era set when our friends remodeled.  Free is a good deal, right?  We now have a nice High Efficiency front loading washer and a matching dryer.  However we paid a plumber to hook it up for us, being in Massachusetts and being a little afraid of gas lines and plumbing.  I think it was $350, 7 years ago.  I doubt there's any way in Hell we've recouped that in water and energy savings.

Also: we had to move the washer and dryer last month when we had a new concrete floor poured.  Cost to hook up the washer and dryer again, in a slightly better location, with a vent that's up to code? $440.

[woodnut]

In my area, water and sewer rates are expensive ($90/mo for 2 people).

Water & sewer is expensive where I live also, about $125/mo for 4 people.  I figure we have 6 loads per week.  This summer, I put together a spreadsheet of water, sewer, electricity, and natural gas savings analysis of a new washer vs the current 15yr old top load. I came up with an ROI of 20.5%, so I ended up buying a new front load washer.  Like others have said, a new electric dryer is not going to be more efficient, so I still have my 15yr old dryer.

Water and sewer dominated the cost savings with our rates.  The old washer was 40 gal/load and the new I estimated 15 gal/load. I suspect in your case you would find the water and sewer cost savings to be worth it.  The water bill coming any day now will be our first winter time bill, so I'll find out how much water I'm actually saving.

[Rural]

Be sure you also price how much more you'll have to pay for detergent, and find out what a service call in the area costs, or, if you're comfortable with a saudering iron, price a replacement on the electronics. You will definitely be repairing (and replacing) more often, and it may be that the new washer is likely to die before the break even point - try to figure out average lifespan.


Check that water bill for the base charge, too - you can only save on the usage part.


I wouldn't replace my old top loader, but I know there's no win on my very low water bills - you need more information to see if a change for you would ever pay off.

[mm1970]

For sure newer washers and dryers don't last as long.  We replaced our washer last year (it was 27 years old) because it wasn't really cleaning the clothing anymore, and it did cut our water bill a lot (we got a low-water top-loader for about $600).  We opted for a top loader, not a front loader, which seem to break down more frequently

4-6 loads a week seems like a lot for two.  We are at 3-4 loads a week for four people.

[RH]

It appears there will be some savings on electrical and water/sewer with a new machine. Are there any "savings" in terms of clothes lasting longer on a gentle cycle? Gentle should mean that the friction of the clothes rubbing against each other is decreased. It seems shirts and sweaters hardly last as long as they used too. This seems like it could be a significant savings each year?!?

[Taran Wanderer]

As noted above, there is no gain by getting a new dryer.

I have heard anecdotes that front loading washers are gentler and therefore clothes last longer. I don't have empirical evidence, but I also don't have complaints about my clothes wearing out in the washer, so maybe it's true. We definitely use a LOT less soap in our front loader, so you can factor that into your cost savings. In fact, our family of 5 has difficulty using up a medium box of Tide before it clumps from humidity.

[MKinVA]

My washer fix it guy told me never to buy the front loader because the seal doesn't last long and must be replaced. This will wipeout any water savings. We finally after 20 years had to buy a new washer. I bought a top loader new energy efficient water saver. I hate this washer!!! The clothes do not come out as clean, seem to be beaten up and twisted, and the damn thing is always tilting so I have to rearrange the clothes to get it running again. I hate it!!! We are planning to get rid of it either in our rental house or sell it out right on Craigslist. I'm going back to old washer with the agitator in the middle.

[RH]

Well, based on all the info, I think I'll just keep the old washer. I'll continue to use the cold wash, short wash cycle. Thanks everyone.

[MrsPete]

We limped along with our 20+ year old machines until we reached the point that the washer failed to drain about every third load and the dryer could run for hours and still not dry a light load. 

We really should've changed them a bit sooner -- the headache and money involved with re-washing and constantly drying things on racks and the kitchen chairs was constant. 

Anyway, we did buy the front loader set about 6-7 years ago, and the only problem we've had has been that the knobs on the front keep breaking (we can still turn them on, but it'd be easier if the handles didn't break).  The machine itself has given us no problems.  The one thing I don't like is that if I drop a sock in the hall, I can't open the machine and toss it in. 

The detergent doesn't cost more; in fact, I make my own homemade detergent.  The ingredients cost $20-25 and the large tub of detergent last about a year and a half for my family. 

[Taran Wanderer]

The one thing I don't like is that if I drop a sock in the hall, I can't open the machine and toss it in. 

Ain't that the truth!

We have had our Whirlpool Duet washer and dryer for about eight years with no issues.   Okay, one issue... my mom came over and die a load with a normal about of detergent. Lots of bubbles!!! Had to rewash that load a couple of times without soap to get all the soap out!