Your old machines have essentially zero value at their ages. On the other hand, Speed Queen has, historically built fine machines and there's no sense in disposing of them if a $50.00 repair will keep them running. Dryers, especially, are pretty simple machines. You wouldn't notice any difference between it and any new one you might choose except for a couple bells/whistles.

If you haven't priced new machines, you may have a shock coming. Believe me, there's no way any power/water/detergent savings will make up for the cash outlay. If you've got the bucks and want the change or if you're acting from environmental altruism, then certainly go ahead. I think you'd be impressed with how the new machines work. I think you'd like them. Only saying net/net it won't be a money-saving move overall.

WOWZA - you are right, the new machines are pricey! Hubby and I just went to Sears to take a look.

One thing about the old machines... Hubby says that they are simple to repair. He said that these new electronic machines would probably be too complicated/impossible for him to repair.

I don't understand all of the extra cycles. 'Sanitary', 'Kids', 'Casual'. What the heck is 'casual'??? ...and on the dryer's -- 'touch up'....uhhhhh, I don't need that cycle. I need the one that says, 'tap me on the shoulder when they are just barely damp so that I can get them hung up'....that's the cycle that I really want....LOL

Your hubby's a smart fellow. He's certainly right about repair/maintenance of new vs. old. The new ones are entirely controlled by electronics -- and those darling little circuit boards are expensive even if you are capable of diagnosing.

The owners manuals are written for Sesame Street groupies. Lots of euphemisms and buzz-words with a minimum of useful information. In their defense, I'll bet your machine's manual from '92 is similar. Anyway, you'll be able to understand it in short order.

You'll want a dryer that has automatic controls for dryness. Almost all of them do these days. You can set it to shut off at all the way dry or, usually, two other degrees of dampness.

Keep in mind you will be buying one of these things eventually. By the time yours stop working, I doubt there will be any alternatives offered except for the HE machines. It's almost that way now.

The new FL dryers aren't any more energy efficient, except they may use lower temperature (for a longer time) and higher blower speeds. This may help make your clothes last longer.

Old TL washers may use 50 gallons total per load compared with 10 gallons for a FL.

The cost of water here in Milwaukee is 3 gallons for 1 cent.

I've checked power consumption

on my old TL, and @ .10kwh, costs $ .02 per load (not including hot water cost, we have gas)

High Efficiency front load $ .10 per load (because of the built-in electric water booster heater if enabled)

The new ones are entirely controlled by electronics -- and those darling little circuit boards are expensive even if you are capable of diagnosing.
A replacement *mechanical* timer for my parents' 1994 KitchenAid washer is listed at SearsPartsDirect.com for $111.12.

An *electronic* control board for my 2004 Fisher & Paykel is $122.06.

$11.06 difference.

:-)

The BEST washer I ever owned was an old-ish Speed Queen that came with the purchase of our house in 1981. It broke down once, needed a solenoid, a fairly cheap part, and kept running for about ten years. It was great-it was an industrial model that allegedly was purchased from a laundromat. It took large loads, was a front loader, and did GREAT at getting clothes clean. It died for real and we then purchased a top loader from Sears that I've never found as good. Keep your Speed Queen running if you can. That's my advice.

I'm not sure if the OP's washer is TL or FL. either way since they are asking and its the dryer thats the problem I would not buy a whole new set if the dryer can be repaired for $50.00 That seems like an affordable repair.

The government does not give dryers an energy star rating because they all use close to the same amount of power or gas to dry clothes. Washers are a different thing. A front load washer will use 10 to 15 gallons give or take per load. Top load washers can use 40 or 50 gallons to wash the same amount of clothes. Also a front loader will spin out more water due to the higher spin speeds than a top load so your clothes may dry faster.I would buy a new set if the washer were failing and the repair was not economic to do on it due to its age or if you feel for the environment its the right thing to do. you could also buy a new dryer if needed and get the washer later if that's all you needed or could afford, an so what if they don't match most people who come to your house don't see them any way.

I made the switch to front load 3 years ago when my washer was going to cost almost as much to pay GE the labor to replace an in warranty part as the the washer cost new. I told GE to shove it and got my front loader and I'm glad I did.

Ooops. $10.94 difference.

Well....we ended up buying a new dryer. I'll start a new thread on that. We were facing approx. $200.00 in parts for a DIY repair - about what the dryer cost initially.

What my husband thought was simply a glow plug...was not the only problem. It also has some gas sensor type thingus...which would be yet another $75.00 EACH and there are 2 of them in the dryer - if that even fixed it.

We were able to return the new glow plug for full purchase price. Our local appliance part shop is the greatest!