The washer dryer combo unit is starting to gain a footing outside of its usual hidden status. There are still plenty of people out there - like myself not too long ago - who have no clue what this is or that it exists. When I mention a dryer washer combo unit to pretty much anyone, I have yet to find a single person who is already familiar.
Nevertheless, these compact laundry units are starting to show up in some pretty mainstream places. Believe it or not, they are starting to be built into luxury apartments and used as selling points to attract renters. If you go onto YouTube you can find all kinds of real estate videos where the combo washer dryer is mentioned or even highlighted in video tours of apartments or even condos for sale.
You will also encounter this mini washer dryer in high end RVs! Yes you can find images of these in YouTube too.
So what does this mean? If the contractors/builders/designers of these buildings and RVs didn't think the washer dryer combo unit was a positive for the client, they wouldn't have put them in. It serves as confirmation for people that this cool appliance has the durability, dependability, and performance that they want.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Mini Washer Dryer - Does Size Matter?
Sorry about the title, I just couldn't help myself! :) Of course size matters! haha If you are trying to fit an appliance into a small residence, then size can make all the difference as to whether it can happen or not.
The mini washer dryer I'm talking about is the combination unit washer and dryer, where the washing and drying is done all in the same tub. These typically run about 34" high x 24" wide x 24" deep. This is not unlike the space that a good sized tv might take up. So what you've got is a double kind of reduction. Instead of two regular side by side appliances, you only have one. That one is smaller than one of the original set.
So you've got a much smaller unit than conventional washer/dryer sets. But if you think about it, smaller size doesn't matter so much if it's not practical to use. Why bother being able to stick an appliance in a closet if you can utilize it as you need it?
These dryer washer combos have that part taken care of too. Simply put, they are portable. This means you can put it in a corner of a room or wherever it will fit, and when you need it you can roll it over to the kitchen sink, hook it up, and you're good to go!
The mini washer dryer I'm talking about is the combination unit washer and dryer, where the washing and drying is done all in the same tub. These typically run about 34" high x 24" wide x 24" deep. This is not unlike the space that a good sized tv might take up. So what you've got is a double kind of reduction. Instead of two regular side by side appliances, you only have one. That one is smaller than one of the original set.
So you've got a much smaller unit than conventional washer/dryer sets. But if you think about it, smaller size doesn't matter so much if it's not practical to use. Why bother being able to stick an appliance in a closet if you can utilize it as you need it?
These dryer washer combos have that part taken care of too. Simply put, they are portable. This means you can put it in a corner of a room or wherever it will fit, and when you need it you can roll it over to the kitchen sink, hook it up, and you're good to go!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Who Uses Washer Dryer Combination Units?
Believe it or not, front-loading, ventless all-in-one washer dryer units have been very popular in Europe and the Far East for many years. Compact appliances like these were developed to serve the small living spaces common to those areas. More recently, folks in North America have been discovering that if you don't have an external venting source (required by conventional dryers), or access to a dedicated high voltage outlet, this can be a good solution.
Anywhere space is limited, like condos, apartments, vacation homes, might be a place where a combo unit would be handy. Someone living in a place where a laundry room is available might choose to use such a unit to gain privacy and convenience as opposed to trips to the laundry room, where the machines might be all in use or broken. A business owner might choose to have a unit in a corner somewhere if there is occasional need to do laundry on site.
Those who are happiest with these appliances are those who realize the limitations of the design. If you are expecting large capacity and quick cycles resulting in hot, dry clothes, you will be disappointed. Keep in mind that there are trade-offs for the ventless, compact units that work off standard electrical outlets.
For example, a full size standard washer can hold about 22 pounds of clothes; the bigger combo units can handle about 15 pounds for the wash cycle about about half that for the dry cycle. Depending on the cycles chosen and the kind of laundry, the wash cycle can take up to 90 minutes, and the dry cycle can take up to 180 minutes. Even at the end of the dry cycle the laundry may need to be aired for a bit to be fully dried, and some touch up with an iron may be desirable. A popular choice of unit owners is to set the laundry to start after they leave for work, and when they return the laundry is all done. Those owners most pleased with their appliances are not doing laundry for a family of 8, but just for one or two people, and they do several runs of smaller loads rather than saving everything up for a big load. This way the dry cycle is not overburdened.
Prices for combo units range from about $400 to $1500 and more. As with other products, it pays to find one made well, with good features, and and a decent reputation for service. Big names in the washer dryer combination arena are: Equator, Haier, LG, Ariston, Triton, Asko, Summit. I have seen some Maytag, GE, and Whirlpool brands items touted as "all-in-one" units, but they aren't ventless, doing both washing and drying in the same tub. Often they can be stacked, which may be what they mean by "all-in-one." The best consumer reviews are for the LG brands, about 87% of reviewers saying they would recommend to a friend. The LG brand is more well-known in the U.S. then the other brands mentioned above, with a reputation as a global manufacturer of plasma TV's, LCDs, mobile phones and computer products as well as home appliances.
Happy hunting!
Anywhere space is limited, like condos, apartments, vacation homes, might be a place where a combo unit would be handy. Someone living in a place where a laundry room is available might choose to use such a unit to gain privacy and convenience as opposed to trips to the laundry room, where the machines might be all in use or broken. A business owner might choose to have a unit in a corner somewhere if there is occasional need to do laundry on site.
Those who are happiest with these appliances are those who realize the limitations of the design. If you are expecting large capacity and quick cycles resulting in hot, dry clothes, you will be disappointed. Keep in mind that there are trade-offs for the ventless, compact units that work off standard electrical outlets.
For example, a full size standard washer can hold about 22 pounds of clothes; the bigger combo units can handle about 15 pounds for the wash cycle about about half that for the dry cycle. Depending on the cycles chosen and the kind of laundry, the wash cycle can take up to 90 minutes, and the dry cycle can take up to 180 minutes. Even at the end of the dry cycle the laundry may need to be aired for a bit to be fully dried, and some touch up with an iron may be desirable. A popular choice of unit owners is to set the laundry to start after they leave for work, and when they return the laundry is all done. Those owners most pleased with their appliances are not doing laundry for a family of 8, but just for one or two people, and they do several runs of smaller loads rather than saving everything up for a big load. This way the dry cycle is not overburdened.
Prices for combo units range from about $400 to $1500 and more. As with other products, it pays to find one made well, with good features, and and a decent reputation for service. Big names in the washer dryer combination arena are: Equator, Haier, LG, Ariston, Triton, Asko, Summit. I have seen some Maytag, GE, and Whirlpool brands items touted as "all-in-one" units, but they aren't ventless, doing both washing and drying in the same tub. Often they can be stacked, which may be what they mean by "all-in-one." The best consumer reviews are for the LG brands, about 87% of reviewers saying they would recommend to a friend. The LG brand is more well-known in the U.S. then the other brands mentioned above, with a reputation as a global manufacturer of plasma TV's, LCDs, mobile phones and computer products as well as home appliances.
Happy hunting!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Combo Washer Dryer - How It Works
As I noted in my last post, a washer dryer combination is a different animal than a conventional setup, where you have the washer and dryer as separate units sitting side by side. These regular units have the washer connected to dedicated water and flush lines, and the dryer has a dedicated high voltage outlet with a vent to the outside. The conventional dryer heats air that circulates through the clothes, picking up the lint and moisture and pushing it outside.
The washer dryer combo unit can connect to any standard electrical outlet, and an inexpensive coupling piece can connect it to any standard water faucet. In the drying cycle, a ventless machine typically uses water based condensers. After the air is heated and circulated through the clothes, the air is sent to a chamber (or drum) where the air is cooled and moisture is condensed out of it. This moisture is then pumped down the same drain as the wash water and the process begins again with dry air circulating through the clothes.
Most combo units are Energy Star Certified. Partly because of their size and partly because of the design, they are very energy efficient, using much less energy than most conventional washers and dryers, and 60%+ less water. Combo units tend to wash better as well. The horizontal axis drum that comes with the front load design eliminates the agitator mechanism. The agitator tends to be hard on clothes and not very functional for cleaning. The front load design works more like a washboard, raising the clothes out of the water and soap and them pushing them back in. The high RPMs (like 1000 or more) of the spin cycle tend to get water and soap residue out of clothes better than standard washers. Also, because the clothes are not super heated as with conventional dryers, clothes come out softer and tend to keep colors better.
Most combo washer dryer units come with wheels on or with casters that can easily be attached. This makes them easily portable around the house. They are so compact that many people store them in closets or under cabinets until needed. Be sure to check the unit dimensions against your available space, to be sure.
The washer dryer combo unit can connect to any standard electrical outlet, and an inexpensive coupling piece can connect it to any standard water faucet. In the drying cycle, a ventless machine typically uses water based condensers. After the air is heated and circulated through the clothes, the air is sent to a chamber (or drum) where the air is cooled and moisture is condensed out of it. This moisture is then pumped down the same drain as the wash water and the process begins again with dry air circulating through the clothes.
Most combo units are Energy Star Certified. Partly because of their size and partly because of the design, they are very energy efficient, using much less energy than most conventional washers and dryers, and 60%+ less water. Combo units tend to wash better as well. The horizontal axis drum that comes with the front load design eliminates the agitator mechanism. The agitator tends to be hard on clothes and not very functional for cleaning. The front load design works more like a washboard, raising the clothes out of the water and soap and them pushing them back in. The high RPMs (like 1000 or more) of the spin cycle tend to get water and soap residue out of clothes better than standard washers. Also, because the clothes are not super heated as with conventional dryers, clothes come out softer and tend to keep colors better.
Most combo washer dryer units come with wheels on or with casters that can easily be attached. This makes them easily portable around the house. They are so compact that many people store them in closets or under cabinets until needed. Be sure to check the unit dimensions against your available space, to be sure.
Discovering Washer Dryer Combination!
The other day I happened onto this way to do laundry I had no clue even existed. There are machines that will do both washing and drying in the same unit!
These are not normally items you would find in your regular department store, and they work differently from regular full size washers and dryers that sit side by side or that are stacked. Washer dryer combo units have several advantages over the regular machines. They take up less space, they use less energy, they use less water, they can operate on a standard 3-prong wall outlet, they can be rolled on wheels, don't require venting, can be stored in a closet, and the list goes on!
This doesn't mean everyone should be getting one of these combo units. They are most definitely not for everyone! Yes they have advantages, but they also can't do a lot of things as well as the standard appliances. The standard appliances that work with higher voltage and venting will get the laundry much drier in much less time, and will also handle much bigger loads.
So why would you choose the combo unit over the regular appliances? Maybe you live in a condo or apartment with a dismal laundry room and you'd prefer the convenience of doing your laundry in the privacy of your own home? Maybe you have a business where you want the ability to wash and dry items right there but don't have the standard setup for washing and drying? Maybe you have an RV or vacation home with limited space?
In short, the combo dryer washer unit fills a very particular niche need and is worth checking out!
These are not normally items you would find in your regular department store, and they work differently from regular full size washers and dryers that sit side by side or that are stacked. Washer dryer combo units have several advantages over the regular machines. They take up less space, they use less energy, they use less water, they can operate on a standard 3-prong wall outlet, they can be rolled on wheels, don't require venting, can be stored in a closet, and the list goes on!
This doesn't mean everyone should be getting one of these combo units. They are most definitely not for everyone! Yes they have advantages, but they also can't do a lot of things as well as the standard appliances. The standard appliances that work with higher voltage and venting will get the laundry much drier in much less time, and will also handle much bigger loads.
So why would you choose the combo unit over the regular appliances? Maybe you live in a condo or apartment with a dismal laundry room and you'd prefer the convenience of doing your laundry in the privacy of your own home? Maybe you have a business where you want the ability to wash and dry items right there but don't have the standard setup for washing and drying? Maybe you have an RV or vacation home with limited space?
In short, the combo dryer washer unit fills a very particular niche need and is worth checking out!
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