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What to Look for in a Washer Dryer Combo

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Many people choose washer-dryer combo units over traditional washers and dryers because they're compact, easily fitting into tight spaces. Because washer-dryer combos don't take up as much space as traditional washers and dryers, they're ideal for apartments, condos, rental homes, boats and recreational vehicles. Apart from the smaller dimensions of washer and dryer combos, they also offer other benefits. If you want to enjoy the advantages of an all-in-one laundry appliance combo and are set to purchase one for the first time, here are a few important things to consider in a washer-dryer combo.

Advantages of Washer-Dryer Combos

Washer-dryer combos weigh less than conventional washers and dryers, which makes them portable and easier to move around the house. It also keeps them light for easier transportation with your RV or sailboat. These laundry appliances use less water and electricity to wash and dry your clothes, which can translate to lower utility bills. Washer-dryer combos often don't need vents to dry your clothes, and you can just plug them into standard 120-volt electrical outlets.

Size

Although washer-dryer combos generally save you space, they still come in different sizes. Some models are 27 inches wide, which is the standard size for a traditional washer or dryer. Other models are 24 inches wide, which can allow you to fit one into a narrower space. Before you go out purchasing your first washer-dryer combo appliance, it's a good idea to measure the space where it'll go to make sure that not only will the unit fit, but that you can also do your laundry and comfortably navigate the space around it once it's installed.

Capacity

What washer-dryer combos give you in terms of saved space, they lack in wash load capacity. One very important consideration to remember if you're planning to switch to a combo washer-dryer is that these appliances cannot handle the same wash loads as traditional washers.

With that said, washer-dryer combo units typically come in load capacities that range from 1.6 cubic feet to 4.3 cubic feet. Choose a size that can handle the wash load that your household generates each laundry day. Keep in mind that the larger the washer-dryer's capacity is, the pricier it'll be.

Drying Time

Combo units don't dry in the same manner as traditional dryers. Washer-dryer combos use a type of condensation drying technology, which requires less energy but takes quite a bit of time to dry your laundry adequately. On average, a drying cycle can take anywhere from one hour to as long as three hours. It's also important to remember that washer-dryer combos can generally only dry half of their maximum wash load capacities. This means that if you loaded one up to its maximum wash capacity, you'll have to take out half of the load to start the drying cycle. Air-drying half of your wash load is one of the ways you can get around this issue.

Features

Depending on your other laundry requirements, washer-dryer combo features can help you narrow down your choices. For instance, some units have moisture sensors to help cut your drying time. Others have water-heating features that give you the ability to steam clean your laundry or use a hot-wash temperature setting. Note again that the extra features typically add more to the price of the unit.

Reliability

Before leaving for the appliance store, look up reviews about the brands and models that rank highly in terms of consumer satisfaction. Read reviews from owners about the performance and reliability. This will help you decide if a particular unit is the right one for you. Find out all that you can about a washer-dryer combo's maintenance requirements and see if it's something that you think you can handle. Finally, see which stores near you offer the best warranties possible. Once you have a few models in mind, get assistance at your local appliance store to see if they have a particular recommendation that'll suit your needs.