I own the SQ stack, and have used the GE often. Footprints are similar, and small. Height on the SQ is significantly greater, IIRC, so be aware of that. Neither has an onboard heater. You could get that in a small footprint only with Miele, at twice the price of the SQ. I think the answer depends on your lifestyle, where you mean to locate the unit, and perhaps how long you mean to keep the home. If you have a lot of really dirty clothes or a large family, or do a lot of laundry where water is expensive or of limited supply, the SQ might be worth it. If this is strictly a vacation home, the GE is tried and true technology that should meet your needs. I don't think the capacity would be much different from your Maytag, would it? The agitators in them have become pretty pissy since your Maytag was made, but I have found they do a decent job at the kinds of items you describe. Also, weasel words in the SQ manual suggest a second floor installation will void the warranty. Happy to answer questions.

Have you considered a stackable w/d rather than an all in one unit? I like the idea that if either the washer or the dryer dies they can be replaced without involving the replacement of both.

Thank you all. You ask great questions! To answer them:. The closet is 30"W x 35"D and about 78"H. We use the laundry center on weekends and for about two weeks a month between May and October. Mostly there are just two of us but we have children and grandchildren who use the house. Tops at one time is 4-5 people. It is on the first floor and in a bedroom closet. We do lots of towels and occasional bedspreads and slipcovers- besides clothing. The current Maytag has a hot setting. Do I understand correctly...when you say there is no heater that there is no hot setting? What is the advantage of the SQ over the GE? And visa versa. Have not even thought of Miele....

Beachpea: A lot has changed in the washer world since your 25 year old Maytag was new. There are now government regulations that mandate the actual temperature range of what your Maytag calls hot, warm, and cold. The temperatures are not, for the most part, what your water heater is set to or the temperature at the tap. This was done in the name of energy efficiency. Depending on the manufacturer, "hot" can be anywhere from 100F to 120F. Cold water is added to the tap hot to meet the standards of the Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) set in the washer. All rinses are now cold. Water levels are much lower than your old Maytag. Some high effeciency (he) machines don't even have the agitator in the old school top loaders. Some machines have an onboard water heater to raise the temperature of the water for certain cycles for extra cleaning power and to kill certain types of bacteria that aren't killed by the cooler temperatures of the new "hot" water. It might be a good idea if you familiarize yourself with the changes before you get into serious washer shopping. It could have a great impact on your decisions. If you're washing slipcovers and blankets in a front loader I suggest you look at machines with at least 4.3 cu ft capacity (Miele and other European brands excepted) to get the tumbling action you need to get everything clean. The traditional toploaders can handle up to a thin queen sized blanket with relative ease. Given your information, a stacked full size laundry center is what you need. Good hunting.

Miele has an onboard heater that will darn near boil your water. On HOT, Speed Queen will pull the hot water at the temp your water heater is set -- after it drains the line that comes to it from your water heater. My water heater is not near the laundry. To get a true hot, I have to run the laundry sink until the hot water arrives. If I don't drain the line, HOT is just WARM. Rinses are always cold. I do not know about the GE. Poppy is probably right that they govern it somehow.

My SQ has 3.42 capacity in the washer and 7.0 in the dryer. In the washer, I can do a cotton king bedspread. Twice I've washed my oversized queen comforter, no worries. Do I wish it held more? Yes. But I compromised for space. If your Maytag unitized w/d has had sufficient capacity for you all these years, the GE might do. Just make sure the capacity isn't any less. You can do a good comparison of all unitized w/d at AJMadison. Just drill down to "laundry centers."

But Poppy is right that you have room to stack traditional front loaders. 35" deep is good space. i would probably use it.

Poppy and MizLizzie you two all are a wealth of knowledge! I truly appreciate it! Will look into the site you suggested and get an idea as to stackable units, etc. I can see I have some real homework to do. Am a bit daunted about the fact that the hot water heater is in a shed behind, but attached to, the house - on the opposite side of the laundry "closet". By the time it gets there it would be "tepid" at best. I am not happy that the government thinks it is here to "help" us do our laundry....among other things! .....Many thanks for your advice!

One more question. If I can get two units and stack them. What brand do you all like the best?

Who provides the best service in your location? I wouldn't select anything that doesn't have local service providers. Depending on local availability I would look at LG, Whirlpool and Electrolux. The Eluxes tend to be more expensive, but you might hit a sale. The only ones I would avoid are Samsung and GE. Remember Whirlpool now owns Maytag. LG makes most of the front load Kenmores from Sears.

You've seen it here on the forum before: every brand has lemons and there is no perfect machine. You may find the "no questions asked" return policy would give you a chance to try a model to see if it meets your needs. Huge numbers of cycles do not necessarily make a better machine. I go for simplicity when there are multiple users, less to break. There is also a learning curve if you are new to frontloaders. Detergent drawers and doors need to be propped open to prevent mold and smells. I would take my time and be thoroughly familiar with the product options before you make your purchase.

Poppy that is good advice. I am on an island and have limited repair service. There is mostly one store and they will not service your appliance if you did not buy it from them! The other vender comes from the mainland. You can be at risk if you buy your appliances off island and bring them over by ferry. Especially if you have a breakdown.

So far - one elimination: My plumber told me to steer clear of LG as they cannot be serviced here. I do have a Whirlpool front loader on the mainland - again after 25 years with Maytag washer and dryer. I know I am spoiled and that the new machines are built too last less than half that time! I hear you about keeping it simple. I do not need all the bells and whistles. Thank you for all your kind words of advice! Will post my results!

Recently when I was searching for a FL...I secretly, and I've never told anyone this, but I wanted a LG just like Sins, don't know if that's even available now but its hard to get service for LG in my area, I was told I may wait months so I chose my Duet...no regrets.