There are washing machines in Asia (the top loaders) where there are no windows altogether. Market bias.
From what I understand (though it might be myth) front loaders are more efficient.
1. How often do you buy washing machines?
> Less, if you buy a dented or scratched one.
2. Scratched and dented top-loading washers cost less than the ones in perfect condition too. Also, it's really unlikely you'll get any energy efficiency discounts on a top-loading washer. I think I got $150 total between my state and power company's reates.
> They do indeed use more water, but I make up for that by not running partial loads.
3. That doesn't make any sense. Front-loading machines have larger capacities by virtue of not having to make room for the agitator. Mine is an LG with a 5.1 cu. ft. capacity. A front-loader can hold more and uses less water.
You'd probably have to do three loads in a front-loading machine to use as much water as one load in a top-loading machine. But you'd still get less laundry done because the front-loader holds so much more.
Top loading washers don't make any sense unless initial cost is your sole deciding factor.
I just searched sears.com for "washing machine" and they are comparable in price.
>Front-loading machines have larger capacities by virtue of not having to make room for the agitator
New HE front loaders don't have an agitator believe it or not, however, front loaders are still more energy efficient and can hold far more clothes per load. Its easy to overfill a top loader. You can probably get two front loader loads per one top loader load. My parents have a HE front loader and my mom hates it because if you overfill it even just a little it starts itself over again and the wash takes like an hour and a half.