Combination Washer Dryer Basics

What is a combination washer dryer?
A combination washer dryer is one appliance that both washes and dries clothes. These units have only one chamber for clothes; they are not stackable washer/dryers. Washer dryer combos have been popular in Europe and the Far East for many years; due to the small apartments and living spaces common in these areas, compact appliances were developed to fit the smaller spaces. Many combos are also designed to be portable, offering even more options for storage and use of the unit.

How does non-vented drying work?
Non-vented combos have a two-drum system. The hot air is forced into the outer drum where a condensation process is used to cool the air and condense the water vapor out of it. The water is then flushed out the drain hose to the sink or plumbing lines. Because no venting is required of the non-vented w/d, this unit may be easily installed under a cabinet, in a closet, or anywhere water and electricity are available.

How much laundry can I do in one load?
The amount varies depending upon the size of the unit you purchase and the bulkiness of the fabric of the load. A "full size" washer can hold 22 pounds of clothes (more than 3.5 cubic feet), so you can compare other size units to that. You should be aware that you only want to fill your unit up halfway with clothes; they can only dry half as much as they can wash, so putting in more clothes than this will cause them to not be able to dry.

Can the combo units be connected to my kitchen faucet?
Yes, there are faucet adaptors available so the units can be connected to a standard kitchen sink faucet. When connected to a faucet, the outlet hose on these units can be run to the sink drain.

How long do the cycles on w/d combos take?
The length of the cycles varies based on the unit, the cycles selected, and the size of the load. Generally, 110 Volt units take from 30 minutes to 90 minutes to run the wash cycle; the length of time in the wash cycle primarily varies based on the cycle selected. Drying time is generally more variable. Non-vented units generally take 45 minutes to 180 minutes to dry a load. Drying times vary based on the size of the load in the dryer and the type of laundry being dried. For example, heavy fabrics such as denims or towels take longer to dry than lighter fabrics like t-shirts. 220 Volt units can dry in up to half the time, and vented units will also shorten the drying time.

What are the major benefits of combos?
The number one benefit is the compact size: they are smaller than most washers or dryers. In fact, many people install these units under their kitchen counter, because they only take up about as much space as a normal size dishwasher! In addition, casters allow the unit to be rolled around with ease whenever needed.

Also, the efficiency of combo units not only saves you money by using much less energy and water to operate than standard washers and dryers, but many utility companies offer rebates for purchases of energy efficient appliances. Check with your local utility companies for eligibility.

Not only are these units extremely energy efficient, but they wash much better (and gentler) than standard washers. Combos use a front load washing design that utilizes a horizontal axis drum. This eliminates the agitator common to top load washers. In top load washers, the agitator is both very inefficient at cleaning and very rough on clothes. The horizontal axis drum on combos mimics washboard clothes washing, raising the clothes out of the water and soap and plunging them back in. Finally, the high rpm's of the spin cycle of these units gets water and soap residue out of your clothes much better than normal washers do. This efficient and thorough cleaning process is especially helpful for people with sensitive skin or allergies to laundry soap.