Not DIY, but of the ngs I read, this is the one with the most people=20 who are clued-in to this kind of thing.
The washing machine looks like it might be on its last legs (I'm not=20 complaining, it was a reconditioned fifty-quid job three years ago)=20 and I'm looking at the possibility of buying a large-volume one.=20 There are two in particular that are under consideration.
One is the Whirlpool LSQ8033 - a top-loader, costing less than =A3400.=20 I know top-loaders are generally less efficient; I can't find=20 detailed energy information on this one - but it takes a load of 8.2=20 kg and is cheap for that size of load.
The other is the Whirlpool Dreamspace AWM9000. It's a front-loader,=20 costing about 60% more. Takes 9 kg. Rated AAA or ABB, depending on=20 where I look :-\
Now, the questions. How much is an energy-efficient model likely to=20 save me? We're paying 11.2p/kwh in electricity, water isn't metered.=20 With a bigger washer, that means fewer loads - currently with a 5ish=20 kg machine, we probably average about nine loads a week. Is it worth=20 paying the extra for the front-loader? I've used both kinds and have=20 a slight preference for the front-loading kind, but only slight.
I'm not married to the idea of a Whirlpool, btw - it's just these=20 seem the best available options. The only real criteria are large=20 volume and price - and that it can be delivered to Northern Ireland=20 without costing a fortune.
TIA
--=20 KVL