The Latest Spin on Washers

The New Front Loaders The pros and cons for buyers.
Also called horizontal-axis washers, front-loaders offer many advantages over top-loaders:

• Front-loaders, unlike top-loaders, don't have an agitator. That reduces the wear clothes are subjected to during washing. It also allows them to hold as much clothing as larger top-loaders because all the space in the tub is usable. And, large items, such as sleeping bags and comforters, are easier to load.
• Front-loaders spin at up to 1,000 rpm on American-made models and up to 1,600 rpm on some European makes, compared with 600 to 700 rpm for most top-loaders. Faster speeds extract more water from clothes and shorten drying time, saving you approximately $100 per year on utility bills, according to manufacturers.

At 20 gal. per wash, front-loaders use about half the water top-loaders use. That amounts to roughly 8,000 gal. of water saved per year for a family of four. And because they use less water, front-loaders also use less energy to heat that water -- saving even more money.

Controls mounted on the front face above the door allow undercounter installation for many front-loaders. Just remember that the typical countertop is 24 in. deep. Expect the washer to bump out about 3 in. into the room, or plan to use custom-depth counters. However, there are some downsides to these front-loading machines:

Front-loaders require more stooping and bending to load and unload. Some manufacturers are looking into developing top-loading, horizontal-axis designs. And, some existing front-loaders, such as the Frigidaire Gallery, can be stacked with a dryer.

Because of the way they agitate, front-loaders require a different, lower-sudsing detergent. Both washer and detergent manufacturers recommend a detergent specially formulated for front-loaders. According to the New York-based Soap and Detergent Association, simply using less regular detergent can eventually lead to dingy, stained clothes. Unfortunately, these new-tech detergents aren't widely available in stores. Nor are they expected to be until front-load washers make an impact on the market. For now, the new detergents are available with the new machines and through mail order.

Despite the impressive annual savings in energy and water they offer, front-loaders cost at least $300 to $400 more than comparably featured top-loading washers. Part of the reason is the drive system: Because it moves in two directions, it requires costlier controls and motor. Door locks are also more expensive, though they do allow the newest front-loaders to be opened after a cycle starts. Finally, the suspension system is sturdier and therefore more expensive. Three major American companies are offering front-loaders. Amana's washer ($999), also available with a dryer in a stacked unit ($1,500), is scheduled to arrive this fall; it comes in white only. Frigidaire offers a washer that installs stacked, side-by-side or under the counter ($799). Also sold under the Gibson name, it's available in white. The Maytag Neptune ($1,000) is due to arrive soon as a side-by-side unit in white or almond. A stacked model is due from the manufacturer next year. Higher sales volume should eventually bring down prices on these machines. But don't expect front-loaders to meet top-loader prices any time soon.