Having a washer and dryer in your home is a necessity. Whether you live alone or have a family of four living at the house, you likely use your washer and dryer on a frequent basis. With so many washer and dryer options, you may wonder which type of setup is best. Here’s some information on a washer and dryer combo so you can decide if this type of appliance is right for you.
How Long Have Washer Dryer Combos Existed?
You may have seen stackable washer dryer combinations with two machines, one washer and one dryer. However, washer dryer combos are available, too. In fact, this type of all-in-one cleaning and drying machine first hit the consumer market in 1953. It was perfect for small spaces and one-stop washing drying convenience.
How Do Washer Dryer Combos Work?
Washer dryer combos are one machine that both wash and dry your clothes. You can choose to do a wash only, dry cycle only, or set the machine to do both. You can buy these appliances in vented and ventless options. Each type of appliance works in a similar way with a few subtle differences.
Vented
A vented washer dryer combo works by washing the clothes in the first cycle. When it comes time to dry your clothing, the dryer component heats air from the room and pushes it into the dryer. The air then gathers moisture, produces steam, and then releases the air outside through a vent connected to the washer dryer combo. If a vented washer dryer combo is best for your needs, you’ll have to find a spot to hook this item up where the vent can push air through to the outside.
Ventless
If you choose a ventless washer dryer combo, the wash function works the same as the vented washer dryer. As for the drying part of the process, a ventless appliance condenses warm air and pumps it out of a drain hose. It can also be removed by the user after it collects in a condensation tank.
Benefits of Washer Dryer Combos
There are many benefits to a washer dryer combo. From saving space to promoting energy efficiency, a washer dryer combo has many pros that may just convince you it's the right solution for you.
Space Saving
Since the washer dryer combo is one unit, you don’t need a lot of space to put it in. If you live in a small apartment or a home with a small laundry area, a washer dryer combo is ideal.
Easy to Use
Washer dryer combos are also easy to use. You can throw your laundry into this combo machine, set it to wash, dry, or do both, and then retrieve it when it’s done. Best of all, you don’t have to worry about switching the laundry load from washer to dryer. You can set it up and have it do its thing while you’re busy doing other things.
Energy Efficient
You’ll also enjoy the energy efficiency that many washer dryer combos provide. The exact amount of energy efficiency depends on the brand and the model of the washer dryer combo. However, in general, these appliances may be more energy efficient than their separate appliance counterparts.
Disadvantages of Washer Dryer Combos
As with any product, there may be some disadvantages to consider with washer dryer combination machines. Here are some of the common cons associated with washer dryer combos:
Smaller Capacity
Since the washer dryer combo is one machine, the overall wash load capacity is often diminished. One of the purposes of this combination appliance is to be compact. Therefore, this often means you can’t fit as large a wash load in this type of washing/drying machine as you could with other types of washers and dryers.
Longer Cycle Times
You may also encounter longer cycle times due to the small size of these combination appliances. In addition, if you have a washer dryer combo, you can’t run another wash load while your current load is in the drying mode as it’s all in one machine.
Possibly Longer Drying Time
Also, washer dryer combo machines may exhibit longer drying times overall. Again, since the size of this machine is smaller, it can only hold so many clothing items. This means the drying time may be longer, especially if you try to fit a lot of clothing items in the machine at one time.
Is It a Fit?
Now that you know more about the washer dryer combo, you can decide if this appliance is right for your home. A washer dryer combo may not be right for everyone, but you might find this type of washer and dryer combination will suit your household needs perfectly. If you’re ready to add a new washer and dryer combo to your home, Allstar Home Appliance Center has a great selection. Stop by today or shop online to find your new favorite laundry machine.