Delurking to ask you all (very knowledgeable group):
Are any of you familiar with Fisher & Paykel appliances? We just moved into a new home with very old (and energy inefficient) washer and dryer. Went to Lowe's this afternoon to shop around (first stop, will compare prices at other stores, of course) and found Fisher & Paykel appliances. This is a new brand to me.
Do any of you have Fisher & Paykel appliances? If so, how is their performance and energy efficiency? Any pros/cons?
Since I have a subscription to the online version of Consumer Reports, I'll help:
"For washers in general, there was no real difference in repair rate between top- and front-loaders. In the conventional top-loader group, Fisher & Paykel and KitchenAid were among the more repair-prone brands. For the first time, we have enough data to report separately on new-technology top-loaders that use a wash system different from that of conventional top-loaders with agitators. Data for the Whirlpool Calypso and Kenmore (Sears) Calypso are presented in the chart. The Kenmore (Sears) Calypso, now sold as Kenmore Elite Model 2506, has historically been among the more repair-prone washers. (We don't yet have enough data to report separately on the GE Profile Harmony and Maytag Neptune TL new-technology models; data for GE and Maytag may not apply to them.)
Among front-loader brands, Maytag was most repair-prone, jibing with complaints in a recent class action lawsuit charging excessive failures in its Neptune front-loaders."
"Among electric dryers, Amana was one of the more repair-prone brands. No brand stood out as more repair-prone among gas dryers."
The brands Roper (made by Whirlpool as their bargain label), Frigidaire, Whirlpool, Kenmore, Maytag, and GE were respectively ranked lowest to highest in amount of repairs needed (all under 10% or so). I can tell you that one of my installers *hates* installing F&P dishwashers; he says something always breaks or goes wrong every time. But a dishwasher is not a washer or dryer.
Honestly, I would stay away from F&P and stick with one of the well-known names listed above. Whirlpool has pretty decent after-sale support should anything go wrong in the first few weeks/months (as long as you're willing to navigate the menu of phone choices, you will get to speak to a human being eventually), and Maytag has good quality, at a bit higher price than the other brands.
Be sure when comparing prices to ask what the delivery charge includes (free haul away of old appliances, free hookup of new?) and to be aware that in some jurisdictions, gas appliances must be connected by a licensed plumber or other authorized person, and that the delivery people cannot and may not touch gas lines. And although I don't usually tell people to bother with buying an extended warranty, if you know your washer and/or dryer will be heavily used for a period of years (like if you have stacks of diapers or lots of dirty children's clothes, or if someone in the household works at a job like construction, landscaping, or auto repair), I would consider investing in it. Today's washers and dryers are built to last for so many cycles, and the more cycles you use, the sooner you'll reach the end of the lifespan.
Thanks for all of the information. My Consumer Reports guide is at work, and I am on vacation and didn't want to go in just to get it. Was planning to check that on Tuesday.
I will continue to shop around. The old washer and dryer both work so there is no urgent need for new.
I will add my two cents. I have had a Neptune Maytag front loader since
1998 and a Whirpool "gold" dryer since 2000. Neither have given me a moments worry. I love them dearly. Both do excellent jobs.
I do realize that there is only the two of us, and two loads a week is about max for us. Some weeks just one. For the life-cycle of a machine, this must be taken into consideration.
I know there was a class action lawsuit against the Neptune. I was notified. Whatever the issue was, I had never had any trouble.
Fisher & Paykel are from NZ and, here in Australia, are considered to be a pretty good brand. I have one of their fridges and love it. The woman I work with has a washing machine and also loves it.
Thanks for the info in case they ever get here! Without the posts on here I would never have considered them, having such a strange (to us!) name. I`ll probably still buy Bosch, but at least I`ll know that brand is OK, if I see it.
I didn't know they made appliances as well. I guess it shouldn't surprise me. They are also a medical appliance company as well. I have a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine by them I use it to treat my Sleep Apnea. Great little machine. Have had it for over a year and a bit and never had problems with it.
Lynne (in Ottawa)
G> Delurking to ask you all (very knowledgeable group):
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