my take...
Hola compadres.
I'm back from hiatus.
Figured I'd throw my few cents in the coin tray.
1. Reviewed.com is pretty awesome with their testing, except in areas where they are not. They are NOT technical people in any regard to machinery, except when it comes to running experiments. And when they do run experiments, I think they're good at execution, but they have very shallow knowledge of the "why and how" of the results. Therefore they just spew data to readers with little explanation.
2. The politics here are amusing. There's a deep thread of "don't tread on me or my water guzzling appliances." LOL. But what many forget, except for those esteemed members in our arid Southwest, is that water is a limited, shared resource. It even impacts us here in the Midwest with our vast Great Lakes. In a sense where other areas/states are always trying to get their grubby hands on our lake water! Because they've already squandered their wells and such.
On top of that, the more efficient appliances save myself and others a great deal of money.
3. However, some argue that the newer appliance do not last long anymore. And that's a valid complaint. The complaint that they use less water/energy, yet break down sooner and cannot be repaired, therefore wiping out their net savings, can be valid as well. But on a whole, I don' t think so. Not to mention, appliances are far far FAR cheaper today than they used to be 20-40 years ago. Yet the statistics I've seen say that they last just about as long as appliances of yesteryear. Averaging 7-10 years.
Now, individual experiences may laugh in the face of that data. But...on the whole, I've started to believe, from repairmen testimony, and my own visual observations, that these "old and bulletproof appliances just don't seem to be around that much anymore. Except for KitchenAid dishwashers. LOL.
THOSE legitimately just do not die.
And yes, my parents still have their 1982 LA511 Maytag washer, but it's on borrowed time. The dryer bit the dust YEARS ago to be replaced by a 2004 Neptune dryer that's still going strong (with its evil electronics and everything).
BUT, NOBODY else I know, from friends or family, have any appliances older than the mid 90s. They don't. They're gone. They all broke down, to be replaced by modern machines that are more efficient, and work very well and aging averagely as well; 7-10 or more years active. My Maytag Maxima set also cost me HALF the price as my parents paid for their Maytags back in the 80s, as a percentage of paychecks. And I expect to get 7-10 years out of them. Maybe with a repair or two, which I can do myself as an advantage. And if need be, I can buy another set.
To which my machines would be mostly recycled, melted down and used to make other machines.
4. With that said, I get the huge draw to Speed Queen in this community. They're very traditional. They're tough. They're US made. But with all that nostalgia comes the realities of yesteryear. Such as HUGE amounts of water use. Detergent use, clothing wear and tear, as well as lackluster washability.
I'm glad SQ still makes machines like these. But they're not for me. I think there's better machines out there for my needs. But that doesn't mean SQ is bad. Yet they by no means deserve the jingoistic pedestal they're put on by others either. IMO of course
5. And finally the climate change debate, real quick, since office snack time is almost over.
What I LOVE about climate change is that the science behind it. Any science really, will be right, whether you believe it or not.
Those who fight, bully, deny and bark against the fact that the climate is changing at a more rapid rate, will eventually be surprised. Or their kids will be. It'll happen no matter what they say. And if I'm lucky, I'll get to see their coastal properties sink under water.
The Trumpster is already starting to build a sea wall around one of his Irish golf courses because over the decades, the water level keeps creeping upon the land. LOL! The Exxon CEO's mansion on the Outer Banks will be under water in 20 years, OR LESS! It does not matter what they say.
All of our flights will have more turbulence because of the ever increasing warmth of the planetary air. You can scream as much as you want how much it's a hoax, but the airlines will still log that ever-increasing level of turbulent flights. Your wells and lakes will continue to recede, starving your 30 gallon top loader from the water is so preys upon.
Cheers!
