Front load HE washers are the bomb diggity!

[Jugernot]

My wife told me our water bill went down $30 last month ($65 versus our normal $100) because she did a lot less laundry last month than the previous months. Basically, we both tried to start wearing some of the clothes in the back of our closet that we barely ever wear, therefore cutting our water usage down for last month.

So after some thought about the saved $30, so I went out and bought a front load washer on sale for just over $600. Uses 75% less water and 50% less electricity than our old top loader. I figure it'll pay for itself in 1.5 years, but it's so much quieter than our old top loader.

I have a gas dryer and gas cooktop (converted to LP), so very little power is used there too. I got a 100gallon fillup of LP 11 months ago and still have roughly 40% left in the tank.

Anyone use a propane tankless water heater? I was thinking about getting on of those too.

EDIT:

I was thinking about this Bosch tankless water heater:
Link

Anyone use one? It uses the power of the water to ignite the flame, therefore no need for power.

 

[pnad]

Let me know how you like the 90minute or longer cycle times on that front loader.

I bought a HE top load Fisher&Paykel and lovin it.

 

[Platypus]

I have front loading Bosch W/D's in my place.. they're amazing.

pnad, my washer has a 'quick wash' setting which is considerably less and still does a thorough job

 

[moshquerade]

front loaders ftw.

you also save b/c the clothes dry faster in the dryer because the front loader spins the water out of them so well.

 

[Jugernot]

Originally posted by: pnad
Let me know how you like the 90minute or longer cycle times on that front loader.

I bought a HE top load Fisher&Paykel and lovin it.

Errr... the quick wash cycle is 29 minutes and normal is 55. That is about the same as our old GE top load. Ours is an Amana.

EDIT: pnad, if you want to go there.... let me know what it's like when you have to rebalance your laundry load mid way through the wash.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: pnad
Let me know how you like the 90minute or longer cycle times on that front loader.

I bought a HE top load Fisher&Paykel and lovin it.

I've got a front loader and the typical time for the normal cycle is 47 minutes. It only goes up to 60 minutes when I add options like 'heavy soil'. The extra rinse cycle will add another 10 minutes or so.

 

[Gibson486]

my mom bought a front loader. It sucks at washing clothes

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: Gibson486
my mom bought a front loader. It sucks at washing clothes

elaborate?

 

[pnad]

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: pnad
Let me know how you like the 90minute or longer cycle times on that front loader.

I bought a HE top load Fisher&Paykel and lovin it.

I've got a front loader and the typical time for the normal cycle is 47 minutes. It only goes up to 60 minutes when I add options like 'heavy soil'. The extra rinse cycle will add another 10 minutes or so.

47 isn't so bad. I'm at 30 or less depending on the options. The F&P has a fast spin like the front loaders so it cuts the drying time down a lot also. I researched quite a bit and to get a decent front loader you are looking at $1000. I got most of the benefits of a front loader for $600.

I never had a balance issue in 10years with my old Kenmore, no issues in the 8 months I have had the F&P.

I'm not bashing the front loaders and I don't want to sound like a F&P salesman. Just my opinion and the choice I made. I was pretty shocked at the different energy and water ratings on the new washer compared to the old one.

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: Gibson486
my mom bought a front loader. It sucks at washing clothes

elaborate?

What is there to explain? My old washer (RIP) cleaned clothes better. At first, I thought it was because i put to much clothes in (it did not swish in water), so i cut the load in half and it still does not clean well. The washer is from Amana.

 

[Squisher]

I fear front loaders, too many horror stories.

When I was calling around a couple of years ago to find if anyplace stocked one of the top rated washers in Consumer's Reports, I ran across a few repairmen that no longer sold washers. When I asked for recommendations from them, they all said to stay away from front loaders.

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: Gibson486
my mom bought a front loader. It sucks at washing clothes

elaborate?

What is there to explain? My old washer (RIP) cleaned clothes better. At first, I thought it was because i put to much clothes in (it did not swish in water), so i cut the load in half and it still does not clean well. The washer is from Amana.

i would say Amana sucks then. my experience is the Whirlpool front loader cleans clothes better than my previous (dead) top loader.

 

[randay]

word to your moms i came to drop front loading bombs!

 

[Viper GTS]

LG Tromm washer + dryer here, they're great. The wash times are rather long (105 minutes for my typical settings which includes an extra rinse) but the results are great. Besides, if you're not doing a lot of consecutive loads what does it matter? You start it and walk away.

And if anything they should clean better (and without beating the shit out of your clothing), if you have one that isn't you're probably doing something wrong. You are buying He soap, right?

Viper GTS

 

[Capt Caveman]

I love my front loading LG washer!!!

I find that they do a better job getting clothes clean, use less water, come out dryer requiring less time in the dryer and more handle clothes more delicately.

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: Gibson486
my mom bought a front loader. It sucks at washing clothes

elaborate?

What is there to explain? My old washer (RIP) cleaned clothes better. At first, I thought it was because i put to much clothes in (it did not swish in water), so i cut the load in half and it still does not clean well. The washer is from Amana.

i would say Amana sucks then. my experience is the Whirlpool front loader cleans clothes better than my previous (dead) top loader.

scratch that....its an LG washer. I guess that is what my mom gets for buying from an electronics company....

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: Gibson486
my mom bought a front loader. It sucks at washing clothes

elaborate?

What is there to explain? My old washer (RIP) cleaned clothes better. At first, I thought it was because i put to much clothes in (it did not swish in water), so i cut the load in half and it still does not clean well. The washer is from Amana.

i would say Amana sucks then. my experience is the Whirlpool front loader cleans clothes better than my previous (dead) top loader.

scratch that....its an LG washer. I guess that is what my mom gets for buying from an electronics company....

I did a LOT of research before settling on my LG Tromms, they were/are very well regarded. You have got to be doing something wrong.

Viper GTS

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: Gibson486
my mom bought a front loader. It sucks at washing clothes

elaborate?

What is there to explain? My old washer (RIP) cleaned clothes better. At first, I thought it was because i put to much clothes in (it did not swish in water), so i cut the load in half and it still does not clean well. The washer is from Amana.

i would say Amana sucks then. my experience is the Whirlpool front loader cleans clothes better than my previous (dead) top loader.

scratch that....its an LG washer. I guess that is what my mom gets for buying from an electronics company....

I did a LOT of research before settling on my LG Tromms, they were/are very well regarded. You have got to be doing something wrong.

Viper GTS

Yep the wife wanted the largest home washer. LG has a front one at 4.2 so we got that and it works great. Only great things from me review wise.

 

[nakedfrog]

I don't believe you're in the ideal climate for a tankless heater. AFAIK, they can only bring water temperature up a certain amount.

Info
If you scroll down about half way, it explains what you'll need.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: Gibson486
my mom bought a front loader. It sucks at washing clothes

elaborate?

What is there to explain? My old washer (RIP) cleaned clothes better. At first, I thought it was because i put to much clothes in (it did not swish in water), so i cut the load in half and it still does not clean well. The washer is from Amana.

i would say Amana sucks then. my experience is the Whirlpool front loader cleans clothes better than my previous (dead) top loader.

scratch that....its an LG washer. I guess that is what my mom gets for buying from an electronics company....

I did a LOT of research before settling on my LG Tromms, they were/are very well regarded. You have got to be doing something wrong.

Viper GTS

Yeah. Have you tried adding laundry detergent and water to the load of clothes?

 

[Mr Pickles]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: Gibson486
my mom bought a front loader. It sucks at washing clothes

elaborate?

What is there to explain? My old washer (RIP) cleaned clothes better. At first, I thought it was because i put to much clothes in (it did not swish in water), so i cut the load in half and it still does not clean well. The washer is from Amana.

i would say Amana sucks then. my experience is the Whirlpool front loader cleans clothes better than my previous (dead) top loader.

scratch that....its an LG washer. I guess that is what my mom gets for buying from an electronics company....

I did a LOT of research before settling on my LG Tromms, they were/are very well regarded. You have got to be doing something wrong.

Viper GTS

Yeah you must not know how to do laundry.

 

[imported_Baloo]

I have a tankless, installed it a few weeks ago. Not gotten a gas bill since, though, so don't know what savings I'll get, but I don't expect it to be much. I'd go for it, but not the model you're thinking of. buy one with a higher flow rate than the 1600H, such as the 2400E. I bought one with a rating like the 1600, but another brand, Omega. I've had to make adjustments in the flows for the laundry and laundry tub so I get hot water and not just water that's a bit warm(as in, a tad over 80 degrees). And don't buy it from lowes - their price is too high. Much better deals to be found if you look online. My brother bought the Bosch 250SX on Ebay, the equivelent to the 2400, for less than $800. I bought an omega model for $456 from here: www.omega2000group.com I am satisfied with the performance given what I paid for the OME 514 ZP, but having had to adjust some flow rates to get hot water, if I were to buy one now, I'd go for the Tek3 MADE IN THE USA (most models, that is, not all Omega models) or the Bosch 2400E

 

[Jugernot]

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: Gibson486
my mom bought a front loader. It sucks at washing clothes

elaborate?

What is there to explain? My old washer (RIP) cleaned clothes better. At first, I thought it was because i put to much clothes in (it did not swish in water), so i cut the load in half and it still does not clean well. The washer is from Amana.

i would say Amana sucks then. my experience is the Whirlpool front loader cleans clothes better than my previous (dead) top loader.

My Amana is great. (shrug)

Amana is Maytag.

 

[Jugernot]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
I don't believe you're in the ideal climate for a tankless heater. AFAIK, they can only bring water temperature up a certain amount.

Info
If you scroll down about half way, it explains what you'll need.

LInk to 1600H info

Assuming I use 2.8gpm , the 1600h will give me a 65F rise. Should be enough for 110f shower in my state.

EDIT: Even better, I'll go with the 125FX and it has a 77F rise at 2.7gpm.

Link

 

[rudder]

Originally posted by: Squisher
I fear front loaders, too many horror stories.

The good side... my water bill is down... electric probably as well since I had on old piece of crap dryer that took 2 hours to dry stuff. Plus each load is twice the capacity of my old washer/dryer set.

The bad... you will spend a lot of time ironing pants. They come out crinkled. No way around it. I need to invest in one of those big steaming machines you see at the cleaners. Another thing is you have to be careful with towels lest they come out smelling like ass. At first I though it was our detergent but a google search revealed a common problem. Drying a little longer and hotter fixed the problem.

I do wonder about the long term reliability. I am dumb as a rock.. but I could still fix my old washer and dryer and did so on many occasions. These front loaders seem like new cars where you have to hook up a diagnostics computer to find out whats wrong.