These old Speed Queen washing machines should not be used. I will explain.

I often see people mention here that it is more environmentally friendly to keep using these Speed Queen laundry machines and dryers than to purchase a more efficient new model. For many products this is true. But these devices here are EXTREMELY ineffecient compared to an energy efficient model.

A Speed Queen AWN432 model uses 0.96 kWh per cycle^(1) while a Miele with the new A label uses 0.493kWh^(2) per cycle. Additionally, the Speed Queen uses more than twice (!)^(1 2) as much water. Taking the CO2 emissions of water purification and wastewater processing, the Miele only produces 49% of what the Speed Queen produces. This adds up to more than half a tonne more CO2 emissions over 10 years of use. See my spreadsheet ^(6).

Of course we have to look at manufacturing and transport too, but this barely changes the picture. A washing machine uses so much energy that the production and disposal are hardly significant compared to the energy consumption during its use^(3). This paper mentions that the usage of a washing machine accounts for around 80% of its CO2 emissions^(4).

Laundry represents 18% of all emissions in the US and 3% of national Co2 emissions^(5), so it's worth paying attention to this!

1: https://images.webfronts.com/cache/frysbageflai.pdf. I picked this particular washing machine for comparison because it's from a brand that lasts long and does up to 9kg per load. There are slightly more efficient washing machines, but picking a less brand would not be a fair comparison. 2: https://eprel.ec.europa.eu/screen/product/washingmachines2019/295205
3: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Fig-2-Life-Cycle-Assessment-of-a-washing-machine_fig2_235679049
4: (table on page 5, in Japanese) https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jie1992/75/12/75_12_1050/_pdf

5: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19438150903541873#:~:text=The%20emissions%20from%20residential%20laundry%20care%20%28water%20supply%2C,of%20the%20national%20carbon%20dioxide%20emissions%20in%202005.

6: The 220 washing cycles per year is based on the EU average. For families it's likely more.

I don't believe so. The reviews on the current models are disappointing, and there's reddit posts on those models complaining about the company. Was recommending the brand to a coworker a month ago, when I briefly looked into them for it, once I saw the model I've had for 6 years was discontinued.

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Nice!

SpeedQueens are commercial washers and dryers, so are intended to do a passable job for a very long time, with few other considerations.

Their washers and dryers, from what I've read in several articles that I've read because I keep seeing these l on this sub, not only use a lot more energy than consumer washers and dryers, but are also a lot harder on clothes.

They're laundromat machines, and that's the quality of wash you'll get.

Haha autocorrect…

Anything cheaper than Zojirushi/Cuckoo/Tiger just isn't gonna be a super long lasting thing but can be a great value for money thing. Hamilton Beach's rice cooker is around 50 bucks and is of acceptable quality for occasional use. It's what I'd recommend if you're not using a rice cooker multiple times a week or if you don't know if you want to use a rice cooker multiple times a week yet.

I just ran down to check. Mine is also on delicate. Still ruins the clothes pretty quickly compared to my last newer one.

BuyItForLife discovers commercial appliances are more durable than consumer ones, but doesn't check the downsides.

I have heard so many people hating on them it is not even funny . My oldest brother calls them chinese junkets LOL .

From what I've heard, this can be curbed by running the delicate cycle. I by no means have long term experience with these though

12 year appliance tech here -

Yes. This is the way.

What drawer you pull this out of?

Yep, I have similar ones and they tear all my jeans at the crotch.

Which Maytags are you referring to? Do you have any model numbers? I'm frequently trying to help people decide on new washers/dryers and the more good options, the better. I've seen my share of newer Maytags getting kicked to the curb in 5-8 years (busted transmissions/gearboxes, usually).

Would something like the MVWP575GW fit the bill?

They changed that though right? Iirc, a few years of models suck but they course corrected

Angered washers? That does sound hard on clothes.

The problem with these is those old angered washers and older driers are really hard on your clothes. I moved from a place with new ones to a place with an older one and I was shocked at the difference.

If the point is to buy less stuff, upgrading your washer and drier can be a BIFL move.

I've had 2 to 4 Speed Queen washer / gas dryer sets running 4 loads a day for up to 20 years. Including 2 of the newer design. Newer washers are slower, more bothersome safety interlocks, more electronic jazz.

I do prefer the old washer design. I think the new ones are still worth it, but might look for a used older unit next time

I do recon front-loading washers use less water and since the motion (rolling) is less pulling on the clothing, it's less likely to cause tears

The version in the photo is the one you want.

The new Maytag Commercial stuff is comparable in quality to the old Speed Queens.

I'm the same. If I were to switch to all electric, my costs would increase, most likely be a significant amount.

My daughter is very handy. Three times in the last two years she called me to walk her through the repair of her Samsung dryer. Once the drive belt flipped. Once the heating element failed. Last week the belt tensioner failed. Fortunately she is able to do the repairs or she would have had to pay at least as much in repairs as the machine cost.

She too said that she'll never buy anything Samsung again...well, except, maybe their phones. They're boss.

I have a TI-81. That thing came in clutch while I was pinching pennies. Grocery shopped while adding up everything then added in the sales tax. Also worked great to keep my scouts within budget while shopping. Still prefer it to adding up things on my phone or computer.

Merrels. i had their shoes for years.