5 Best Washer Dryers When it comes to buying any domestic appliance initial choice is of paramount importance. Especially with laundry appliances. Fridges, freezers, TVs, etc have virtually no moving parts and will remain mechanically sound longer. Laundry appliances are different, that's why initial choice is more important. With washer dryers the first choice is simpler. A washing machine and a tumble dryer are more expensive but, individually, are more efficient. Because washer dryers combine two very different sets of technology into one appliance they lose out in efficiency, practicality and economy. Washer dryers will wash as well as a washing machine but will not dry as well as a tumble dryer. But having said that, they are still very efficient machines, cost less than two appliances and take up half the space. Here at www.washingmachinefinder.com, we have drawn up a short list of our choices based on brand reliability, price, features, efficiency and cost effectiveness. We hope it helps you decide. 1.Miele WT2780, at just over £1100, this is a very expensive washer dryer but it has brand reliability. Quite simply, Miele make the best domestic appliances. It has a 5.5kg load capacity, max spin speed of 1600rpm and is A rated for energy. It will do a full years washing for £18* and a full years drying for £35*, now that's cost effective. And with Miele you will always have peace of mind. 2.AEG L75480WD, a very good washer dryer and coming in at around £628. This machine is a lot larger than the Miele with a load capacity of 8kg and a spin speed of 1400rpm and is energy at B. Again you have brand reliability with AEG. The annual* running costs of this machine are £31 for a years washing and £64 for drying. 3.Bosch WVH28420GB Logixx, as with the machines above brand reliability is massively important and you have it in spades with Bosch. This is a large 7kg washer dryer with 1400rpm spin speed and again is B rated for energy. A sleek and very stylish appliance cost around £858 but with annual* running costs of a meagre £16 for washing and £58 for drying. 4.Indesit IWDE126, a very cheap and very efficient washer dryer, costing just £338 and with excellent brand reliability. This machine has a good 6kg load capacity and spin speed of 1200rpm and is also energy rated at B. The annual* running costs are slightly higher at £26 for washing and £76 for drying but this is more than made for by the very low initial outlay. 5.Bosch WKD28350GB, a slightly more expensive washer dryer than the other Bosch at £859 but again has superb brand reliability. This washer dryer has 6kg load capacity and spin speed of 1400rpm and a very good B energy rating. As with the previous Bosch, higher initial outlay is balanced out by lower ongoing costs. Annual* washing costs are only £22 and drying costs £35. *Annual running costs are based on 4 washes a week every week and 3 drys. We hope this short guide was useful. Happy shopping. Here is a link that might be useful: washingmachinefinder

You will be hard pressed, IMHO, to find a US made (I don't think there are any besides speedqueen) washer/dryer combo that is any kind of quality. Quality costs money. I know you said American, but Miele and Bosch are really the only reliable game in town for stackable washer/dryers. They sell many more of them than any "US" company will. Siemens, which owns Bosch, is also a good brand and considered the premium brand when companred to Bosch. Siems pulled out of the US market a year back and is pushing Bosch only in this country. There are fantastic deals on brand new Siemens units on e-bay and in clearance outlets. Siemens line in the US is called the Ultrastack. I own the condensor dryer with a Bosch was24460uc washer. They are very well built units. The dryer (condensor or vented) is on e-bay now for $349. This was almost a $1000 when it was sold in Best Buy. It is a fantastic deal: http://cgi.ebay.com/Siemens-Bosch-ultraStack-WT36V100US-24-Electric-Dryer-/380245985315?cmd=ViewItem&pt=US_Dryers&hash=item58886d4823 Here is a Bosch Axxis washer (one model down from the one I own) with a starting bid of $399 (originally $1000 washer): http://cgi.ebay.com/24-Bosch-Axxis-Compact-Washing-Machine-White-WFL2060UC-/250654902330?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Washing_Machines&hash=item3a5c32483a Here is an auction format Bosch was24460uc washer that is brand new (but missing a front cover which you can get from Bosch parts for $20) currently bid up to $100. This washer is sold at sears and other places for around $1400 now. http://cgi.ebay.com/BOSCH-WAS24460UC-AXXIS-WASHER-/230491765954?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Washing_Machines&hash=item35aa613cc2 Here is a matching Bosch pair WAS24460UC / WTE86300US for $1199. http://cgi.ebay.com/Bosch-Axxis-Series-24-Front-Load-Washer-dryer-/380245611256?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0amp;hash=item58886792f8 I highly suggest you look at these and forget the US brands.

Do you want a compact 24 inches or a standard 27 in machine? My candidate for the compact is the Electrolux, bu.t the =matching dryer is a condenser no vent dryer. You can use just about any size 4 cu ft. I like the LGs, but the Whirlpools are OK too. I would avoid GE, Samsung and Kenmore (now up for sale). Samsung poor construction and GE poor customer service and spotty construction on some models. Good Hunting. Remember FL are not intuitive to use. There is a learning curve as well as maintenance required. Some teens may need follow up to remember to leave the door open and not overuse detergent and fabric softener.

There are no "pumps" involved in water dripping into the tub. There's a hot and cold water valve, each replaceable separately. The valves don't pump anything, they simply open or close to allow the incoming hot and/or cold water to flow or not. Either one can wear and fail to close fully, or get clogged with a bit of debris (such as sand/grit) in the water supply and fail to close fully. Shutting off the supply faucets when done using the machine will prevent the dripping ... although the suspect valve(s) may get worse and the dripping may increase to a more substantial flow. A squeak when filling could be the main motor/basket bearing (the basket rotates at 25 RPM while filling, but also much faster during spin) ... or bearings going bad on the drain/recirculation pump, which runs for several mins during the Eco Active period at the start of all cycles except Perm Press, and of course also runs during drain and spin periods. A failed auto-dry sensor won't have any affect on how long a load takes to dry on Timed. The heat and airflow operates exactly the same on both Auto and Timed ... the difference is the sensor controls the movement of the timer on Auto. The dryer has two heating elements, perhaps one of them has failed which reduces the heat input and that *will* result in a longer drying time.