Re: Energy Star Ratings for Dryers: While it's true that dryers do not qualify for current Energy Star parameters...they actually DO IMPACT Energy Usage. All of the current appliance reviews are very enthusiastic about MOISTURE SENSORS in new model dryers. This considerably reduces excess electric/gas usage over old 'bone dry' settings. It also extends the life of clothes/towels by not 'frying' elastic, synthetics, and other fabrics. Additional plus to the model we purchased is Remote unit that goes anywhere you are in house. Digital readout of time, etc. enables you to keep track of special loads, and reduces need for those extended 'wrinkle reducing' extended tumble times! Again, more ENERGY SAVINGS. In general, most of us are going to have to make a few adjustments in 'the way things were' if we are truly committed to adjusting our 'conveniences' to save our planet...and our wallets! Manufacturers are listening... so speak up! They heard us say, "We want to save ENERGY" so they started from there. Now we have to help them 'tweak' their efforts from our consumer perspective. Got the DLG7188WM model w/out steam function...how often will you use that...and what about old fashioned spray bottle and quick tumble? It's quite an improvement over Mom spraying Dad's shirts...then freezing them until she got to the ironing part! Did I just date myself?!

bntroberts-Do you own this machine? I would like to reply to your points so please bear with me. 1. I wasn't planning on stacking things on top of my washer, so the fact that it doesn't have a porcelain top doesn't bother me. After all it sits on a spiffy stand with a pull out drawer. 2. We have tried the steam wash, but we certainly do not use it with every load. I am impressed with the amount of water it DOES NOT use. That, combined with the fact that I only have to use tablespoons of detergent was the real reason we purchased this machine. I appreciate the replies to this thread, and we did buy the the washer. We are currently using it with our GE dryer and have had no problems. bntroberts, if you read my original post, it was a question regarding the use of the LG washer with a non-LG dryer. No where did I mention or ask for opinions on this machine nor did I mention how much I hoped to save on our energy bills. Extensive research was done prior to this purchase, and I'll admit I was its biggest skeptic. I have since fell in love with my washer and to have it called a "big piece of crap." feels like a hit below the belt. Everyone is certainly entitled to their opinion but they should be expressed in a mature manner.

CR's reliability chart shows the percentage of each brand that "needed a repair or had a serious problem." Let's look at two hypothetical brands, "Brand A" and "Brand B". 12% of Brand A's machines suffer from a drain pump failure. Definitely serious, but if it's fixed promptly, and the replacement pump doesn't fail, you get over it. On the other hand, 12% of Brand B's machines suffer from an "unfixable" problem, such as: 1) Frequently takes an unreasonable amount of time to spin, or fails to spin; 2) Damages the clothes in some way; 3) Failure of a component whose replacement costs as much as a new machine. Brand A and Brand B will look equally reliable on CR's chart. Which one would you rather buy?

LG is actually not a new company. They were around for many years before they were known as LG. The old BRAND name was Goldstar, but in their product literature you would see it referred to as Lucky Goldstar...thus the abbreviation "LG". The company decided to "re-invent" itself. It did this by making better products under a revision to its name. When we bought our home last year, I was ready to buy the Duet models after using a set that belonged to my boyfriend's dad. I was impressed with how quiet they were. Before being able to buy a set, my boyfriend insisted on looking at Consumer Reports. After reading, he said he wanted this LG Steamwasher and dryer. I can say that the washer is not quite as quiet as the Duet, especially the drain pump. But it holds a lot of clothing, does a great job and obviously uses less energy and consumables. There is one thing I DON'T like about the LG, which is the fact that it loves to play with the water valves. Every time you start a cycle, the washer pops the hot and cold valves open and closed for about half a second or less about six or seven times each. My frail plumbing just loves this, so I had to install anti-water hammer devices. I *think* the washer is merely trying to get the soap in the dispenser to flow out to the wash tub without foaming out and making a mess. The spin cycle has a characteristic 'jet engine' sound, and the drain pump does have a mean sound. I like using the set. I simply wish that the washer had one more feature that the dryer already has: A custom cycle button. And if you get one, don't handle the chrome door too much as it can scratch.