If you are after water-saving & relatively money-friendly, I'd go with a front loader. We got a Whirlpool one a few weeks ago and I love it- mostly because our old top loader was so small I would be doing anywhere from 5-8 loads of washing a weekend! Now it's all done in 3 or 4 loads. Also uses a lot less water per load than a top loader. Only bad thing I've found about it, is that unless we get a dual hose thing for the cold tap, it uses hot water as well (i've always done washing in cold water), but that's no big drama, and sometimes there is a bit of water left in the seal at the front of the door after a load has been done, so just need to remember to wipe it out and also occasionally wipe around and in the entire seal to keep it nice and clean.
Have you looked around at any washing machines? We went into our Good Guys store and had a look at what they had a few times before we actually bought one, just to suss out prices and about the individual products.
And also, this might not be the case in WA, but we got $150 rebate from the NSW government because we bought a machine that had a 4.5 star rating. We ended up getting ours for about $450, after deducting from the 15% off sale The Good Guys had on, then taking off $150 for the money we get back, and we also get 12 months worth of washing powder from Whirlpool which was valued at about $80!
You're probably best to get one sooner rather than later though, before all their new 2009 stock arrives and the prices get jacked up again!
Here are a couple of links I found on the subject.
We have a Fisher & Paykel Top Loader and it's fantastic. It's designed as a front loader, but is a top loader. So has all the features of a front loader, but doesn't take as long to do a wash cycle.
It's has a great water rating, and depending on where you live, you can get a rebate from the government.
Our one sounds like the one that Jodi has. Its a good machine and its handy that it doesnt take 100 years to do a cycle like our last machine did. We also got $150 from Sydney Water because its 4 or 4.5 star water efficient.
You have all been a great help, esp the links, thanks Jodi. I just assumed I was getting a toploader as that is what I have always had. But I have read through old threads and still think a top loader. I like the sound of the F and P one so will Google it now. Just wondering if it is a quiet machine or a bit noisy on the spin?
Super quiet. My girls bedrooms are only 2 doors away from the laundry, and I can have the laundry door open with their doors closed, and it doesn't bother them while they're sleeping.
We had an older style F&P before this one, and it was soooo noisy, I could never do a load of washing when the girls were asleep.
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