What are washer dryers?
Washer dryers may be stackable or side-by-side. In order to be stackable, the washer needs to be a front loading washing machine. A front-loading washing machine will have a smooth flat top which will allow you to place the dryer on top of it. The controls of the dryer will be placed at eye level allowing you easy access of the controls. The advantage of buying a stackable model is that it occupies the space of only one washer.
The difference between having separate
stackable washer dryers and a washer dryer combo is that the latter will usually use the same drum to dry clothes. The benefit of these models is that they save space and no venting is required.
Optimal installation of your washer dryer:
Ideally, place your washer-dryer combo in an insulated room or warm environment like a basement or garage. Ensure that your dryer is vented properly and that the vent is free from any obstructions. Having a good seal on the flapper that is connected to the hood of the vent is essential to ensure that unwanted air goes in through the vent whenever the dryer is not venting.
How to use your washer-dryer optimally:
In order to ensure that the dryer part of your washer-dryer combo works efficiently there are a few steps to take into consideration. Clean the dryer for any lint before using it. Dry a full load at a time in the dryer but take care not to overload the machine. If using a washer dryer set from the same manufacturer, it is unlikely that you will have this problem as both appliances are likely to have same capacity ratings.
Prolonging the life of your machine:
In order to prolong the life of the machine, it is advisable to dry similar fabric clothes together. Clothes should be segregated depending on the weight of the fabric. If your dryer has a moisture sensing machine to switch off then use it to preserve the quality of your clothes. If you have a number of clothes to dry, dry them one after the other. This will ensure that the residual heat left over from the pervious dry cycle is utilized effectively.
Additional savings
For the ultimate amount of savings, try to drip dry as far as possible. Drip drying clothes on a line will ensure that less amount of electricity is used and preserves clothes longer. Removing clothes faster from the washer to dry will help speed up the drying process. Front loading washer dryer combos will always dry faster and more efficiently than top loading models as their drums spin faster. Using a gas dryer to dry clothes will work out as a more cost effective option. Remember, buying an energy star appliance will ensure that your washer is an energy efficient device.
