Combination Washer And Dryer

Selecting A Combination Washer And Dryer

Combination washer and dryers are great and convenient alternative to the full sized washer and drying units commonly seen. Combination models take up less space and can fit in many tight spaces. They provide quality laundry care in a more compact size. Stackable washer and dryers are one piece laundry centers and are joined together as one unit. The washer is the bottom half of the unit and can be either front or top loading and the dryer sits on top. The dryer portion of the unit can be either gas or electric. Another type of combination washer and dryers are compact models that are designed to be stacked one on top of the other.  Keep in mind if you do plan on stacking the units, you will need to opt for a front loading washer and the controls for the dryer will need to be on the front. Many compact units are designed to be stacked and the homeowner can purchase a stacking kit separately.

There are many things to consider before deciding upon what type of combination washer and dryer to choose. When you purchase the units separately, you tend to be able to get a higher quality product then compared to an all in one stacked unit.  Front load washers tend to be more eco-friendly then their top loading counterparts, they used less water, need less detergent and are more gentle on clothes. However, purchasing the units separately can be more costly than purchasing an all in one stackable combination washer and dryer laundry center.

There are many manufacturers to choose from such as Maytag, GE and LG and can be found from a variety of retailers like Home Depot and Lowe's. Prices for individual models that can be stacked vary in price from $450.00 to $1,000, while stackable all in one laundry centers can be found for around $1,200.00. Another thing to consider is that a gas dryer tends to be more efficient and economical than an electric dryer, but the location where this unit can be placed will be limited to where there is gas hookups.

When deciding what type of combination washer and dryer is best suited to meet your laundry needs, make sure you take into account price, ease of use, location and size specifications.