Benefits of a washer/dryer combi
Some of the benefits of a washer/dryer combi are obvious, but there are also some that you might not have thought about. With a washer and dryer combi you no longer have to buy two separate appliances, which can save you a lot of space. Some washer-dryers have a non stop function, which washes and dries your laundry in one go. All you have to do is load and turn it on in the morning, and when you get home in the evening it’s all done. That’s significantly less work than taking your laundry out of the machine and putting it back in the dryer.
Please note that the non stop feature is not for every wash cycle. Sometimes you may need to remove some of your laundry from the drum before the drying cycle can begin.
Less expensive than 2 separate machines
You can get a washer/dryer combo for as little as 500, which is less expensive than 2 separate machines. A single washing machine can cost up to 400, and that doesn’t even include a dryer.
The purchase price is significantly lower, without sacrificing functionality. Many people think that a washer-dryer combo has less features than a standalone washer and dryer, but that is not true. For example, a washer-dryer can also be equipped with a load sensor, which adjusts the water consumption and the duration of the programme according to the weight of your laundry.
There are also washer-dryers available that have a clothes protector drum or that allow you to add extra laundry during the wash. So don’t worry that a washer-dryer combo will have fewer features than a standalone washer and dryer.
Connections
The disadvantage of a standalone washer and dryer is that you need many different types of connections. Both appliances need to be connected to a power supply, and in addition they both need to drain their water somewhere.
The big advantage of a washer-dryer combo is that it’s just one appliance, and as a result you need half as many connections. The water from the wash is discharged through the same hose as the dry, and you also only need one outlet for the power supply.
Disadvantages of washer-dryers
The disadvantages of a washer-dryer combo are the same as the advantages. Some you will have thought of yourself, but there are also some that are easy to overlook. That is why we have listed the most common disadvantages for you.
A separate washer and dryer can be more energy efficient
If you do not always put all your laundry in the dryer, it may make more sense to buy a separate washer and dryer. The energy consumption of a combined washer and dryer is relatively high, because it is one device that performs two tasks. In some cases, it can therefore be cheaper to buy a washing machine with energy label A and a heat pump dryer, because they have lower annual energy costs.
What is the best choice for you always depends on your washing and drying needs. Calculate your annual energy costs yourself by estimating how often each appliance will be used, and multiply that by the number of kilowatt-hours an appliance consumes per turn.
The dust is not collected
As with a stand-alone dryer, dust is collected during drying. Normally it ends up in a filter, but a washer-dryer doesn’t have a filter, so it gets left behind in the rubber area between the door and the drum.
So after each drying cycle you have to manually remove the dust, otherwise it gets into your next load of laundry. It’s a small effort, but if you forget, you can ruin a whole load of laundry.
A shorter lifespan
A washer-dryer combination is slightly more likely to need replacing than two separate appliances. That it wears out a little faster is not surprising, because a washer dryer does the work of a washer and dryer, so it gets used much more often.
The duration of a program
When you put all your laundry into a washer and dryer, you get done faster than if you put everything into the washer and dryer. A complete cycle can take up to 4 hours with a washer/dryer, while two separate machines can take up to 3 hours.