When buying a dryer and washing machine, one of the most critical factors you have to consider nowadays are energy efficiency, and whether the appliance you buy suits your lifestyle and the space you have available. In terms of lifestyle, consider how often you use the washer and what you wash.

A stainless-steel tub is useful if you wash often. If you wash less frequently, you can get by pretty well with a porcelain-coated or plastic tub. For those with limited space, there are stacking washer-dryer units in either full-size or apartment-size capacities. Another important thing is that you must get a dryer that matches your washer's capacity.

Think about what you will use them for. If your laundry includes a variety of fabrics and levels of dirtiness, a washer with specialty cycles like delicate and extra soak, plus a second rinse, will be valuable. Multiple water-level settings will ensure the most efficient wash for loads of different sizes. You might also like to consider a washer with the ability to raise water temperature. Other items to consider are automatic temperature regulators; a must in cold climates, they ensure that wash water comes in at a constant temperature for the setting.

There are two styles of washers: top-load, which is the most common, and front-load, which provides the greatest energy efficiency. Top-load washers allow the user to put in and retrieve laundry from the machine without bending over. These models have to be placed beside a dryer, however. Top-load models cost less, although it will prove to be an energy hog in the long run.

Front-load washers are recommended for its energy efficiency, and indeed it has been steadily growing in popularity because of this feature. These models use only up to one-half of the water that is usually needed for a top-load machine. This also means less time and energy used for heating. Clothes also come out needing less time in the dryer because the agitators spin a lot faster. Although they save on energy costs, front loaders cost more at purchase; you might have to buy a special detergent.

When selecting a dryer, the capacity you choose should complement your washing machine's capacity. A washer with a 3.5-cubic-foot capacity, for example, requires a 7-cubic-foot dryer capacity. If space is a problem, consider a stack washer-dryer model that can fit in a closet.

Dryers are powered by either gas or electricity. Gas models are typically more costly to purchase, but it will prove to be more energy efficient and economical in the long run. By law, dryers must have at least one automatic-drying cycle, but the best dryers include moisture sensors, which automatically shut down the machine whenever the moisture level in the drum drops below a certain point. Other nice features include a cool-down cycle, which keeps the clothes wrinkle-free, and a damp-dry cycle that allows garments to be prepared for ironing.