I always buy "super capacity" because washing larger loads saves time
and energy in the long run. All the extra gadgets are just
that--gadgets that drive up the initial cost of the unit. Get one
that has a "no heat" setting for fluffing pillows, down jackets, etc.

On Sun, 27 Feb 2005 18:48:22 GMT, The Dave© wrote:

I need to buy a new washing machine. I have narrowed it down to two
models. One is a base model for $287. The other is an energy saver
(Enerygy Star) model for $399. With the energy saver model I can get a
rebate from my power company for $75, making the real price $324, or
$37 more than the base model. The base model has water level and
temperature choices and that's about it, while the other model does
more stuff. Being a guy, I wash clothes, I don't get fancy. I can
separate colors and whites and wash hot and cold accordingly. I would
probably never use the vast majority of the extra features. My
question is this: Would the money I save on electricity actually make
up for the $37 extra price quickly, or would it take me 8 years to make
that back? Just looking for a general answer, btw, I don't need a
to-the-cent breakdown.