Energy use of older washer/dryer set

[sudsmaster]

That A806 is a quite a desirable washer. Anything with a lighted control panel is a plus, and the 06 line has some added flexibility in terms of wash/rinse temps that later, "eco" versions don't have (like hot wash/warm rinse, I understand).

The dryer is nice too - but it would probably be happier paired with a 700 series washer.

 

[appnut]

I'm so glad to hear you're going to keep them and make the needed repairs. they are keepers!!!

 

[bobbyderegis]

Hey folks!
Is the dryer one of the ventless models?
Bobby in Boston

 

[appnut]

Bobby, it can't be ventless if it's a gas dryer.

 

[andrewinorlando]

I think everyone here will agree with me when I say that it just does not get any better than an older Maytag. I doubt you'll ever regret keeping these. Quite a few of our members have these sets as their daily drivers, and can attest to the fact that they still offer bulletproof reliability, even into their 30+ years old. There's nothing like an older Maytag!!

 

[pturo]

Andrew, I have two 30 year old Maytag washers and one dryer and they are the best built thing America ever produced. Brillantly simple in design, and when repairs are required, why even a Cave Man could do it.

Bobby, Maytag gas dryers have the telltale trap door on the bottom up until about 1995. Gas dryers are now required to be vented to the outside, but I cant say that was the case in 1957. I looked at the labeling inside the door of my DG906 and it said"This dryer should be vented to the outdoors", circa 1967. Carbon Monoxide was not a big issue in the 50's, homes were not weathertight as they are now. We had a cabin in the Adirondacks that had an unvented gas heater in it, but it was a cabin. I don't know of a condensing dryer that was gas fired and unvented, however. It's a good question.

Back in 1957, asbestos was a miracle fiber, too, so times change.

 

[gansky1]

Cool dryer!

That dryer is the last of the non-Halo of Heat dryers that has a glow-coil ignition system instead of a standing pilot. The gas system is accessed through the door on the dryer top and the lint screen-drawer in the lower right corner. A little larger drum than the HOH, lower air-flow with a 3" vent. I've only seen a couple of these, one was a '56 model at an estate sale and the other was a pink version of this 57 model at a shop in Newton, Iowa.