>>>"Wouldn’t it be cheaper and open your choice of washer options to pay a contractor/plumber/drywall guy to swap the connections around"<<< Might be, which is why I mentioned the SQ price. Especially so if HU##### wants a matching dryer and adds in the relatively high cost of Speed Queen's dryer versus, say, spending a lot less to get one of the Electrolux models with reversible washer doors (EFLS427, 527, and 627., IIRC) and their matching dryers. Also, I'm recalling that our local Home Depot has some of the new GE "fresh vent" (or maybe "Ultra Vent") front load washer models, and one or two of of those GEs now have reversible doors on the washer. (At least Home Depot said they did.) Sorry, can't recall model numbers at the moment but might be worth your while to check on. Despite the high price, Speed Queen FL models do have a devoted following for reasons outlined in this older thread and this other one. The SQ FL models come with a full five year factory warranty, too. But bear in mind that, if warranty service is needed for some reason, it goes through the selling dealer. So, it is best to check out your local vendors rather than buying a SQ on-line from an out-of-area seller. If you buy from an out-of-town online vendor, and are not inclined to DIY repairs (the SQ's are easy to work on, IME), getting SQ to arrange local warranty service reportedly can be slow and cumbersome. Those considerations might or might not make the Electrolux and GE models seem more attractive choices.

I also have a washer dryer in the kitchen. While I love my compact electrolux the matching dryer takes 240... I looked at the laundry centers long and hard...the thin twin kept being the favorite but for looks, if it will be visible in your kitchen, I'd opt for the new gray Frigidaire ( OK, I'm shallow). You need to consider your load size, when I really looked at the size of the loads that I was running a small washer was just fine. ( I also prefer to throw on a load of day and never have it stack up.) I was able to use two different laundry center units while we were on vacation. One of them was much easier to lean over and pull the laundry out of the washer than the other. I recommend you check reviews, find the model that you are thinking of purchasing in a store and lean over and imagine yourself pulling the laundry out of the washer (noticing in particular where the door of the dryer is in relation to your head, will you constantly hit your head on it?) because that is what you going to do. Most laundry centers do not have reversible doors so you need to pay attention to what your space requirements are for the door opening. Alternatively, you may still be able to buy a used gas dryer of the smaller size. You can buy 120 V dryers. What some people have done is to purchase a 120V washer dryer combo-one machine and a second machine that is a 120 V dryer. The issue with the smaller machines is that in order for the dryer to be effective the wash load has to be split in two so they wash a full load in the washer dryer combo and then dry half of the load in the dryer and dry the other half in the washer dryer combo. You should also be aware that there are high speed spinners on the market so if your washing machine doesn't spin enough water out and drying takes forever, you may want to buy one of these, I think they spin for all of two minutes, remove substantial amounts of water, and cost less than $100.

We are on the cusp of placing orders for our appliances. So I wandered back by this thread and noticed the new responses. Mikelock, I love your "after" photo. We're about the finalize our layout, and I keep considering going under-counter instead of stacked. It's a lot of fun to see another real life installation. That extra run of counter must be so nice. Chris Park, thanks for your perspective on how the condensing dryer is performing for you. I was scared off initially by the many negative comments about condensing dryers, but I later became more hopeful when I noticed that many comments note that clothes come out with only an initial dampness - if that makes sense. We're finally going to place our order this week, after much heel dragging from me. The plan for a long time has been Blomberg units (the heat pump dryer sounds like a good idea), although in the 11th hour there is some temptation to order Asko units (condensing dryer) that would match the SS appliances. I guess we'll panic and select one soon!

I currently have a set of Duet HT that are stacked and really like them. However based on the performance of my parents new Speed Queen's, when my Duets give up the ghost this is what will be replacing them: http://www.speedqueen.com/products/stacked-washer-dryers.aspx?mn=ATEE9AGP173TW01#build-your-own The things are whisper quiet on the spin cycle and even though I have the duet HT with the high speed spin, my clothes are rarely stuck to the inside of the drum as regularly as with the Speed Queens on high speed. For the stuff that tolerates high spin speed that cuts down on the drying time too.