washers and dryers buying guide
Buying a New Washer and Dryer? Simplify the shopping process with these helpful steps from Whirlpool brand.
Step 1 Choose your washer and dryer type
When it comes to fabric care, Whirlpool brand offers two primary configurations of washers and matching dryers that can help make caring for your clothes easier, more efficient and less costly. Be sure to visit your local retailer to learn more about Whirlpool brand exclusive 6th Sense Technology that senses and responds to the needs of each loadfrom denim to delicates.
Duet High Efficiency Front Load
Washers Maximize water and energy savings with style. 6th Sense Technology senses and responds to the needs of each load to help save time and resources. Provide excellent cleaning for large, heavy loads. Up to 11 unique wash motions. Safely clean delicate fabrics that you may otherwise have to dry clean.
Cabrio High Efficiency Top Load
Washers Ultimate cleaning, gentleness and efficiency. Washers help you save as much water and energy as front load washers. 6th Sense Technology senses and responds to the needs of each load to help save time and resources. 4.0 cu. ft. capacity can handle up to three baskets of laundry in a single load. Designed without a center agitator to provide gentle wash action that helps keep your clothes looking newer longer. Dryers Offer great performance and efficiency. Dryers sense how fast each load is drying and adjust temperature settings to save time and energy. Offer the same large capacity as Top Load Washers. Advanced features let you steam away wrinkles and odors. Allow for 2nd floor installation.

Traditional Top Load

Washers An outstanding value for great performance and simple operation. Allow you to select the best cycle and setting for every load. Many are ENERGY STAR qualified to save you water, energy and money.
Dryers Added efficiency when paired with a High Efficiency Front Load Washer. Large capacity lets you dry large, bulky loads, even comforters. Select models feature the industrys fastest drying time. Advanced features let you steam away wrinkles and odors. Superior in vibration control and allows for 2nd floor installation.
Dryers Offer great drying performance and simple operation. Feature adjustable temperature settings and multiple cycle options. Easy to find the best settings for your load size and fabric needs.

available colors

Cranberry Red Lunar Silver White

Lunar Silver Black White

White-on-White
Washers and Dryers Buying Guide

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Step 2
Understand what you are paying for
Duet High Efficiency Front Load Cabrio High Efficiency Top Load
$799.00-$1,199.00 $799.00-$1,179.00
$429.00-$629.00 $479.00$629.00
Washers Base MSRP* Dryers Base MSRP* 6th Sense Technology High Efficiency ENERGY STAR Qualified Large Capacity Extra Large Capacity Adaptive Wash Actions (No Agitator) Steam (Washer) Steam (Dryer) Glass Windows On Washer And Dryer 2nd Floor Installation (min. vibration) Quiet Wash & Quiet Dry options Specialty Cycles
$749.00-$1,299.00 $749.00-$1,299.00
* MSRP is Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price and may not necessarily be the price at which the product is sold in the consumer's area. Dealer alone determines actual price. Check WhirlpoolBrand retailers in your area for local pricing and special offers.

Step 3

Ensure your washer and dryer are a perfect fit for your home

Do It Yourself

Decide where you will install your new washer and dryer. You will need:
A level floor with no more than a 1" slope A location that can support the installation of a Dryer exhaust system Hot and cold water lines within 3' of Washer hookups A cold water line within 3' of your Dryer if you select a Steam option
Measure the height, width and depth of the area designated for your new washer and dryer.
Heres how to measure: W: side to side (add 1" on each side for air circulation) D: back to front (add at least 6" to depth for door clearance, dryer vents, and hookups) H: top to bottom (for top load washers, add at least 20" for door clearance)
Note: Be sure to measure for additional space if you plan to add pedestals or towers to your laundry pair.
Write down your measurements here:

Washer Width Dryer Width

in. in.

Washer Depth Dryer Depth

Washer Height Dryer Height
(Add 1" on each side for air circulation)
(Add 6" for door clearance & hookups)
(Add 20" at top for top-load)
Measure the clearance of doorways, hallways and other points of entry that will be used to deliver your new laundry pair.

Hire a Pro

Confirm that electrical output is sufficient for the location of your new washer and dryer. You will need:

A grounded electrical outlet within 4' of the rear of both machines (no extension cord or adaptor) A separate designated 30-amp circuit Set water heater to 120 for washer.
Contact a licensed gas or heating professional if you plan on purchasing a gas dryer. Your home should have:
A CST International approved gas supply line A shut-off valve
Decide how you will dispose of your old laundry pair.
Many retailers will haul away your old appliance for free or a small fee. (Local government disposal surcharges may apply.) Contact your local municipality to determine the most ecologically responsible way to recycle your old appliances.
If you are installing a new washer and dryer in a space for the first time, contact a licensed plumber to install a drain system.
Registered trademark/TM Trademark of Whirlpool, U.S.A. 2011 Whirlpool Corporation. All Rights Reserved. All other trademarks are owned by their respective companies.

Very Important Purchase Information
Shown with optional storage pedestals.
Whether youre considering a new Duet washer and dryer or have already purchased one, please take a moment to review the following valuable tips for best results. The Duet fabric care system is an exciting and rewarding investment and we want to ensure your complete satisfaction.
Questions about installation?
Call 1-800-253-1301 to speak to a Duet fabric care expert and/or see your Use and Care Guide for complete installation instructions.
Registered trademark/ Trademark of Whirlpool, U.S.A. 2004 Whirlpool Corporation. All rights reserved. Form # EWPL_MIC_604_021. Printed in the U.S.A. 08/04. www.whirlpool.com.

Before you Buy

51.5"
1. Determine Your Installation Area
Ensure that your laundry area is large enough: The washer and dryer are each 27" wide (54" wide when placed side-by-side) and 31.5" deep The depth of the washer with the door open is 50.5" and the depth of the dryer with the door open is 51.5" Youll also need a minimum of 5.5" behind the dryer for venting
38" Allow for a 1" clearance between the washer and dryer and a 1" clearance from the wall around the pair 27" Total installation area required: 57"W x 37"D 31.5"
38" 50.5" 27"

31.5"

27"

38"

2. Determine Your Installation Configuration
The Duet fabric care system may be installed in three different configurations.
50.5" Determine the area where yours will be installed and select the appropriate set-up. 38" 27" 31.5"
Stacked with dryer on top of washer
Side-by-side under an existing cabinet
Side-by-side with optional pedestals
In order to avoid potential leaks and to ensure proper operation, the Duet washer door is not reversible. However, the dryer door can be reversed. Door reversal kits (#3979303/Tidal Blue, #3979304/Dove Grey, #3979770/Biscuit and #3980097/Pewter) can be purchased separately by calling 1-888-222-8608.
If you plan to install the Duet pair stacked, purchase a stack kit (#8541503) by calling 1-888-222-8608 or ordering online at www.whirlpool.com. If you plan to install your Duet pair side-by-side, the best way is to place the washer on the left and the dryer on the right. If your water hook-up and vent are in the opposite location, longer fill hoses, drain hose extensions, and venting extensions are available at stores where appliances are sold.

IMPORTANT:

After you Buy
Even if you are not completing installation yourself, its good to familiarize yourself with these important steps to ensure proper set-up.

1. Shipping Bolts

Prior to shipping, we secure the washer drum with four shipping bolts in the rear of the washer. This helps keep the drum from shifting and moving while the washer is en route to your home. IMPORTANT: It is critical that your delivery/installation team only remove these bolts when the washer is within 3 feet of its final installed location in order to prevent damage to the product. If you remove the shipping bolts yourself, discard after use. Because Whirlpool Corporation does not control installation, we recommend you inspect the product before its removed from the delivery truck to ensure the bolts are still in place. If the bolts are not in place, you may refuse delivery of the product and request a new one. If using the optional pedestals, the transport bolts should remain in place until the pedestal is installed.
2. Remove Washer and Dryer Feet if Using Pedestals
The optional pedestals are a great place to store detergent boxes along with fabric softener and bleach bottles. If youve selected pedestals, the delivery team must remove and discard the installation feet from the bottom of the washer and dryer prior to attaching them. The pedestals come with their own adjustable feet for proper leveling of the laundry pair.
3. Level the Appliances Properly
As with any washer or dryer, leveling the appliance is necessary. And because the Duet and Duet HT washers reach final spin speeds of up to 1000 and 1200 RPMs, it's even more important to level the product to avoid excessive noise and vibrations. You can find detailed leveling instructions in your Use and Care Guide. If installing the washer and dryer with pedestals, you will complete leveling with the pedestal feet. Keep the pedestal drawer out during installation so that you can easily reach and adjust the rear feet. Once the appliance is level, ensure that all four feet are in firm contact with the floor and tighten each foots locking nut to the washer/pedestal base.

WARNING

Excessive Weight Hazard Use two or more people to move and install washer or dryer. Failure to do so can result in back or other injury.
4. Always use High-Efficiency Detergent
High-efficiency detergents are specifically designed for low-water washers to provide excellent stain removal and whitening without oversudsing. Using a regular detergent in this washer will likely result in washer errors, longer cycle times, reduced rinsing and cleaning performance, and/or oversudsing. Plus, using a regular detergent in this washer can cause clothes to yellow and look dingy over time. Only use a detergent that bears the highefficiency mark, like Tide HE.
TIDE is a registered trademark of The Procter & Gamble Company. Registered trademark/ Trademark of Whirlpool, U.S.A. 2004 Whirlpool Corporation. All rights reserved. Form # EWPL_MIC_604_021. Printed in the U.S.A. 08/04. www.whirlpool.com.

5. Sounds and Vibration

Increased spin speeds on the Duet washer require a sturdy floor and a level machine. Reinforcement may be required for installation on a second floor or over a basement. The washer sound and vibration performance will vary depending upon the design of the flooring structure. For improved sound and vibration performance, consider the following guidelines: Reinforce the floor where the washer will be located by securing a sheet of plywood at least 3/4 inch thick to the floor (cement board subflooring should improve noise and vibration performance) Place the washer near the corner of the room Place the washer near an external structural support wall Do not place the washer on a floor with foam support (floating floor) Do not place the washer on carpeting Normal sounds include: During drains and final spin, the sound level shifts as the water is removed by the pump As the washer ramps up to the final spin speed, the washer may experience a shudder a result of the high performance suspension settling as the washer goes into the high extraction speeds
6. Estimated Time Remaining

Actual washer cycle time may differ from the "Estimated Time Remaining" display. The difference is due to the time required to rebalance the washer load during spin to attain the highest spin speed for water extraction. With the Duet HT washer, during the water heating cycles, the difference is also partially due to the time required to heat water. The time does not adjust up or down when these activities occur. Instead, the estimated time remains at the present value until the cycle step is completed.
7. Move the Washer and Dryer Professionally
If you are moving to a new home and plan to take your Duet fabric care pair with you, please call 1-800-253-1301 and speak to a Duet fabric care expert. He/she can recommend a Whirlpool-endorsed installer who will re-install new shipping bolts and provide professional transport from one location to another.