Bosch WFVC5440UC 4.4 cu. ft. washer with stainless steel drum

Stack 'em up!

Bosch laundry sets are known to be some of the best out there. But until now, many people weren't able to implement Bosch quality and performance into their house because the sets haven't been stackable. But that's all changed. With the new WFVC5440UC/WTVC5330US pair, the dryer can be stacked on the washer (with an additional kit), allowing even more people to put Bosch to work in their house. Helping make this possible is an Anti-Vibration System (AVS), and balance control. But not only do these stabilize the machines enough to allow stacking, they provide the washer with a quietness rating of 52dB. If you're looking for a stackable set long on performance features, look no further than this Bosch pair.

Partner of the Year . . . no small feat

Bosch has a Vision — a Vision of a better tomorrow. On the path to that Vision, they were named the ENERGY STAR 2009 Partner of the Year. So it should come as no surprise that the WFVC5440UC is one of the most efficient washer models available. Its energy usage is a modest 130 kWh per year. For its size, that's 102% better than the national minimum. Very few models even come close to being more than twice as good as necessary like this one does. Since washers only need to be 42% better than the minimum, don't think all ENERGY STAR washers are equal — the WFVC5440 is more energy efficient than most ENERGY STAR models. But electricity isn't the only thing you'll save on with the WFVC5440UC; water usage was also greatly reduced on this model. With its ActiveWater technology, Bosch is able to take 13 gallons of water and give it the cleaning power of 400 gallons! It has an estimated water usage of only 4,541 gallons per year. This might sound like a lot, but compared to other models, especially when you consider its huge 4.4 cu. ft. capacity, both the water and energy use are minimal. When factoring capacity into water usage, only a select few models equal or exceed the WFVC5440. ENERGY STAR standards are set to get much stricter in 2011, and many models meeting the current criteria will be excluded from the new certification. The WFVC5440 however, exceeds the new 2011 standards for both energy and water usage by a considerable amount. With an electric water heater, the annual operating costs are estimated to be only $14 washing eight loads a week. A natural gas heater cuts that figure to $9. This can save you hundreds of dollars per year in utility costs if your washer is more than a few years old, so it doesn't take long to pay for itself. Yes, the WFVC5440 is ENERGY STAR certified, like every appliance Bosch makes. But the story doesn't end there. Bosch is significantly more efficient than most ENERGY STAR-certified models, and performs better than most too. This is easier on your clothes, your wallet, and your environment. But what else would you expect from Bosch?

Weak analogy, strong washer

Of course, no matter how much you save each year on utility costs, a new washer doesn't make financial sense if you need to replace it every few years. A washer is a big investment after all, so it should last long enough to pay for itself, and then some. It should come as no surprise that the German engineering on the WFVC5440UC is designed to last for years and years. The stainless steel drum actually gets smoother with use for even better clothes care over time. An AquaStop leak protection system ensures that in the unlikely event that a malfunction occurs, leaks will be contained to avoid damage to your machine or your floor. Very smart German engineering uses variable-speed motors and advanced electronic programming to keep your machine running correctly under all situations. Think of it like the washer is a car and the programming is the driver. Unlike most "teenage" washers, this Bosch accelerates and decelerates slowly, wears its seat belt, obeys traffic laws, doesn't drive in extreme conditions, and always uses its turn signal. Likewise, this Bosch is going to be running strong a lot longer than other washers. With these high-tech durability features, you can expect the WFVC5440UC to live a very long happy life, and in all likelihood, pay for itself many times over. This durability is another segment of Bosch's Vision for a better washer.