Finding your new washer and dryer

Get the know-how and avoid the hassles

April 12, 2010 - Chris Bennion - Coast Wholesale Appliances

Many consumers these days run into issues, questions and problems when attempting to replace their old Washer and Dryer. For many, the hassle of shopping around is confusing enough. There are hundreds of different laundry sets available on the market today ranging from $899 a set, to as much as $4000 a set. If that wasn’t enough to worry about then there is feature content – does my washing machine need to have 18 cycles or do I need to have a dryer that only does what I require? Questions like these can confuse and overwhelm, so here are a few basic easy steps to follow when buying your new laundry set.

Step 1

Determine what your basic necessities are for your laundry set. Do you require a Front Load Washing machine or Top Load? How many times a week do you do laundry? Do you need to sanitize certain items? There are infinite questions one can consider, but the key is to identify what is most relevant to your situation. A good salesperson will help you figure this out, as well as make you aware of certain questions you may not have thought about. For instance, do you have a basement laundry room or main floor, can you stack your laundry set, or do you need to use a specialized soap for your units?

Step 2

Determine how much aesthetics matter to you. Today colour plays a very large role in laundry sets. It’s not like the old days where your choice of finish was either White or Harvest Gold. Today there are endless sets on the market that come in numerous colours. The best way to select a colour is to consider the room in which you’ll be putting the new laundry. Does it contrast with the cabinetry and flooring properly? Is the laundry set in a separate closed-off room or in an area where they may be seen by many?

Step 3

Determine how big your laundry set needs to be. Consider not just the dimensions of the unit, rather the washer and dryer’s interior load capacity – how many clothes can be held? Many consumers buy the largest set on the market without considering if it is really necessary. A lot of times it’s because people are unsure about what exactly fits into certain cubic foot capacities. On average, a 3.7 cu.ft. capacity washer will hold a queen-sized summer duvet, the 4.0 cu.ft. will hold a queen-sized winter duvet or a king-sized summer duvet, and the new popular size 4.5 cu.ft. will hold your king sized winter duvets. If you do only 3 to 4 loads a week you may only require a 3.7 cu.ft. washer with a 6.7 cu.ft. dryer. If you do 8 to 12 loads a week you might consider getting a larger size such as a 4.5 or 5 cu.ft. washer, with a 7.3 cu.ft. dryer. Match your size according to your needs.

Step 4

Determine if the warranty coverage is sufficient for you. Most sets of laundry these days carry a standard One Year Manufacturer’s warranty on Basic Parts and Labour. There are a select few on the market that do offer longer standard warranties. Maytag offers a 10 Year Warranty on their washer basket and motor on all their Bravo laundry sets and their new 2010 Series washing machines (MHWE450/550/950). They offer the standard warranty on everything else. If you feel additional coverage is necessary, consider an Extended Warranty, offered through your place of purchase. Extended warranties can be incredibly useful, but you need to make sure you review how these warranties work with your salesperson. Certain warranties from certain stores cover things that others don’t. The main extended warranty feature to look for is “on-site coverage” because no one wants to haul their washer or dryer to a repair depot! Another good feature to look for is electronic controls coverage. Certain warranties classify problems with the electronic controls as physical damage, and therefore you will not be covered. Make sure you understand your warranty and get one that gives you peace of mind.

Step 5

Determine your installation and delivery requirements. For installation, you may opt to get professional assistance. Talk to your salesperson to arrange that. If you decide to self-install then make sure you always read the instructions before doing anything with your new set. Doing this will save you a lot of time and possibly even money. A key thing to note is that all front load laundry sets have what are called “shipping bolts”. If these are not removed before operating your washer, you will likely damage it beyond repair! Also make sure to properly level your new set when setting them up, as this can make a world of difference in their performance. If your set is unbalanced they may dance across your floor and shake the whole house. For delivery, it is always best to have laundry sets delivered. It’s not necessarily hard to lift and do on your own, however washing machines are not light and if you have a basement or upper floor application this can be a difficult issue. Delivery may cost you more, but in the long run it can save you time and hassles.

Step 6

This is your most important step: Make sure the set you’re buying is exactly what you want and need. Don’t be talked into a set of laundry simply because it will do ‘this and that’. Don’t buy a set strictly because it’s on sale. This doesn’t mean ignore the salesperson. In fact, a good salesperson should help you achieve total buying satisfaction by reviewing the points we have just covered in the previous steps. Purchase based upon your requirements and budget.

Step 7

Relax and enjoy your new Laundry Set!

This article was provided by Coast Wholesale Appliances. With over 30 years of solid business history with some of the finest major North American household appliance manufacturers, and the combined purchasing power of multiple locations from Ontario to BC, Coast selects the appliance models that offer you the best combination of quality and beneficial features. For more information visit http://www.coastappliances.com.

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