The front-loading machine is thrifty with water and energy, but the biggest savings is in bulk: Less than three feet high and two feet wide and deep, it takes up about 60% of the floor space of a single standard-size unit. The capacity of its stainless steel drum is somewhat less than that of the typical washer or dryer. And the fully automatic EZ 1000 is superconvenient. Just throw your jeans and towels into it in the morning and leave. The washing-drying cycles combined take a little longer than using the conventional pair of machines, but so what? You don’t have to hang around for the washer to finish and then transfer the load to the dryer. When you come home, clean and dry laundry is waiting. The units recently went on sale at some discount stores in Texas and Florida (800- 935-1565). Suggested retail price: $795.