Is a Washer Dryer Right for You?
You know how it is – you’d love a tumble dryer, but you just don’t have the space.
Meanwhile, your home’s filling up with damp washing, and the rain hasn’t stopped for days.
This is where a washer dryer could be useful, but it has its pros and cons.
Here’s what you need to know before deciding if a washer dryer is right for you.
What is a washer dryer?
The clue’s in the name. A washer dryer does the job of a standalone washing machine and tumble dryer – it’s two appliances in one.
As you’d expect, it washes laundry in the same way as a washing machine. However, most washer dryers’ dry clothes using either condenser or heat pump drying tech vs the tech you’d find in a vented tumble dryer.
This means you can’t install a washer dryer in a colder outdoor building like a shed.
What are the benefits of buying a washer dryer?
A washer dryer saves space in your home
If you’re considering a washer dryer, it’s probably because of space.
Washer dryers are good for smaller homes, like the Hoover H3DPS4866TAM6 8kg/6kg 1400 Spin Washer Dryer whose complete set of laundry cycles includes Allergy Care Pro and Steam Care Pro. Its Kg Mode adjusts water, energy consumption, plus cycle time, so you only use what you need – plus it comes with Wi-Fi hOn app compatibility and a 10-year parts warranty.
A washer dryer can cost less to buy
A washer dryer is also usually cheaper to buy than a separate washing machine and tumble dryer. But not always – and not necessarily by that much.
This is because, with more washing machines and tumble dryers on the market, prices tend to be more competitive, especially in a sale.
As usual, it’s a good idea to research what’s out there before you buy. Start by exploring our range of Beko, Bosch, Hoover, Hotpoint, LG, Miele and Samsung washing machines to weigh your options and find the best washing machine for you.
Other things to consider before buying a washer dryer
1. Drying time: A washer dryer usually takes longer to complete a full laundry cycle than a separate washing machine and tumble dryer – anything from 3 to 6 hours. This can make them a ‘no go’ if you need clean, dry clothes at short notice or have an Everest-sized laundry pile.
2. Laundry schedule: If you’re managing laundry for a large family, not being able to dry one load while washing the next will slow things down. Life’s busy – you need to keep that pipeline flowing!
3. Drying load capacity: Washer dryers have a smaller kg capacity for drying vs washing eg 8kg/6kg. This means that, if you wash at full capacity, you’ll have to split your laundry after washing then dry in separate loads.
4. Range of programmes: A washer dryer has fewer washing and drying cycles than a standalone washing machine and tumble dryer. If you like a lot of choice, it may not be for you.
5. Performance: Washer dryers generally wash laundry better than they dry. This means they’re best if you want a tumble dryer as a rainy day back-up for smaller loads vs having laundry constantly on the go.
6. Energy use: A washer dryer uses (slightly) more energy to wash laundry than a standalone washing machine. When drying, a washer dryer with heat pump drying tech will use less energy than a washer dryer with condenser drying tech. However, the overall energy rating of washer dryers is usually much lower (eg D or E) than the range available for standalone machines.
7. Water use: Washer dryers tend to use more water, especially those with condenser drying tech. To reduce water use and bills, opt for a washer dryer with heat pump tumble drying tech instead.
If this has helped you decide that a washer dryer is the correct appliance for your home, head on over to see which washer dryer is right for you, or pop in store for more advice from your local Euronics expert.
