Imagine throwing your dirty laundry in the machine before you go to work and getting back to clean and dry clothes. That’s possible with the washer-dryer combo. But do they actually get the job done perfectly?
A washer-dryer combo is indeed worth every single cent. It’s cheaper to buy a washer dryer combo than buying the two machines separately. This machine saves both time and space. You’ll only load clothes once and won’t need space for two separate machines.
This article will touch on the advantages and disadvantages of having a washer-dryer combo. But first, you must understand what this machine is and how it works.
What Is a Washer-Dryer Combo Machine?
The washer-dryer combo is one single appliance with both the front-loading washer machine and the condenser clothes dryer. It has the same size as a stand-alone washer or dryer machine. However, it offers many more features than those found in both medium and high-quality washing and dryer machines.
These additional features include WIFI, smart sensors, steam settings, and disinfecting cycles. In other words, a washer-dryer combo will give you everything you can get from the stand-alone dryers and washers, plus other functionalities. It also reduces your footprint. These machines usually come in handy when you live in a smaller space.
How a Washer-Dryer Combo Works
If you’ve ever used a stand-alone conventional washing machine, then you’ll find it easy to use the washer-dryer combo in washing because they work similarly. You first add water and detergent and then drop cloths in the water mixture to clean. The machine will then spin these clothes, rinse, and spin them again.
The difference comes when you turn on the drying part. So, how is it different from the stand-alone dryer?
The dryer here is a sealed component that uses a condenser dryer instead of the typical open vents. The vented dryers normally pump hot air outside while this condenser air sucks in the moisture from your clothes.
Then, in a heat exchanger, it cools this humid air to liquidize the moisture. The liquid will afterward be drained out, reheating the now-dry air. This cycle will repeat itself every time your cleaned clothes pass through the condenser dryer.
Advantages Of Using A Washer-Dryer Combo
There are several benefits you could enjoy from using these incredible machines. Not only do they save space in your laundry room by eliminating the need to buy two separate machines, but they’re also efficient and versatile.
However, you need to ask yourself if they are the right choice for your home. Do they suit your needs and lifestyle? Here are some of the advantages of a washer-dryer combo that will help you decide.
It Will Save You Space
This is one obvious benefit of this washer-dryer combo. Instead of two separate machines, a washer and dryer, you get only to purchase one to do your laundry. If you live in a small house, apartment, or condo, this will be a great choice since it will help you save a good amount of space.
A washer-dryer combo is normally about the same size as a dishwasher, unlike other machines like dryers that are large. For this reason, you can easily install it under the kitchen countertop. Others are compact enough that you can even move and keep them away when you’re not using them.
These Machines are Both Water and Energy-Efficient
A washer-dryer combo exceeds efficiency standards when it comes to electricity/gas and water usage. You understand how a top-loading washer machine consumes a lot of water than a front-loading machine. Thankfully, most washer-dryer combos have the front-loading design, thus uses less water.
Additionally, this machine also consumes less energy compared to a traditional dryer. For instance, you’ll discover that a washer-dryer combo will only need 110 volts only unlike the 220-240 volts normally consumed by a typical stand-alone dryer.
They Are Flexible
Just because it’s a combo, it doesn’t mean that they always work concurrently. The dryer and the washer can work separately if you choose to. Therefore, you can still use this machine if;
- You’re the kind of person who likes to wash some of your clothes by hand
- Or, you like hanging your clothes out in the open to dry after machine wash.
A Washer-Dryer Combo Is Easy to Use
It’s highly possible to wash and dry your clothes with this machine without the intervention of its manual booklet. Because it’s a two-in-one appliance, the process to wash your clothes is pretty simple and easy to follow. All you have to do is to hit the start button after picking the right settings for your load.
If you don’t want to leave your clothes in the machine for far too long, you can also choose a delay option. With the delay option, you get to set when the device should start its washing cycle.
This means that you can even load your dirty laundry in this washer-dryer combo in the morning before going to work. You will then meet freshly washed and dried clothes in the evening when you return.
It’s Quite Convenient
The selling point of this amazing device is the combination capability. To know that you’ll be loading your dirty laundry in it to receive later clean and dried clothes is enough to purchase a washer-dryer combo.
Disadvantages of Dryer Washer Combo
Here are some of the things you won’t like about a washer-dryer combo.
They Require More Time to Wash And Dry
Compared to traditional washers and dryers, a washer dryer combo may take up to six hours to complete one cycle, depending on your load. A lot of time goes into the drying component since the front loader washing machine works similarly to a typical washer.
A condenser dryer takes much longer to dry your clothes because of how it operates. It sucks in the moisture from your clothes. Then, it uses a heat exchanger to cool this humid air and liquidize the moisture. The liquid will afterward drain out, reheating the now-dry air. This cycle will repeat itself every time your cleaned clothes pass through the condenser dryer.
However, this is not the case with vented dryers, which usually pump hot air outside through the dryer vents. So, a vented dryer may dry your load of clothes in about fifty minutes or so.
They Can’t Dry the Same Capacity as the Vented Dryers
Though they have the same washing capabilities as a front-loading washer, the drying effect is different. And, the results are not like something you can smile about. These washer-dryer combos can only dry half of the capacity a normal dryer would per load.
Therefore, if you wash several winter clothes, then you’ll be forced to dry them in two or more cycles. This will surely consume more energy.
For Drying Alone, This Device Uses a Staggering Amount Of Water
Remember, the condenser dryer mechanism uses water for cooling. Note that this is not the same water used for washing. However, one can opt for the heat-pump combos, which don’t need water when drying your clothes. One disadvantage about heat-pump combos is that they’re extremely pricy.
Consider Getting Dyer Washer Combo
Despite the few challenges with the washer-dryer combos, they are undoubtedly worth buying, especially if you live in a small space. The best part of these devices is that you can finish your laundry without having to move your clothes from one appliance to the next.
However, a washer-dryer combo is only suitable for either a one or two-person household. This is because it can only take a few clothes per load.
