When buying washers and dryers, your decision should depend on the amount of laundry and frequency of use, as well as the energy-saving and convenience features that you need. Remember that these are two of the most used in your home, and are significant contributors to your energy expenditures. Even the way that these appliances will be set up should be considered.
In homes where space is not an issue or a major consideration, washers and dryers are places side by side in the laundry room. But if you have limited space or you don’t have a laundry room, you can work around it by stacking these units. This is especially recommended if you live in a small apartment or condo, or if you simply want to free up space in your laundry room.
The first two options are stackable washer dryer units. One is a laundry center, an all-in-one unit. The other involves a separate washer and dryer and stacking them. The third option does not require you to do any stacking, but is also worth mentioning: a combined washer-dryer unit, where clothes are washed and dried in the same drum.
A laundry center is conveniently set up with the dryer on top of the washer, and dryer controls at eye level, within easy reach. This kind of appliance, however, is limited in terms of features, compared with stand-alone washers and dryers. Also, the space-saving feature may be offset by the limited capacity.
When you buy a laundry center, you are basically getting the washer and dryer as a pair. But what if the quality of one unit is better than the other? What if the washer breaks down before the dryer (and vice versa) and cannot be repaired? It may not be cost effective for you to buy another laundry center when you have one unit (washer or dryer) still running.
This is the reason why some people prefer a separate washer and dryer. It allows them to get the best possible combination of appliances for their needs. This may involve specific capacity requirements, energy-saving capabilities and convenience and safety features.
However, only certain models can be stacked safely. Even so, bigger units need a kit or supporting frame to make the set-up more stable. Also, you should check if the combined height of the stack does not inconvenience you by making the dryer controls hard to reach.
If you are concerned with saving space and maintenance and replacement costs, a combined washer-dryer unit may be the answer. There is only one appliance to deal with, and many models either come with pre-programmed wash-rinse-dry cycles or can be programmed to handle clothes using the cycle that you specify. There is less variety for this kind of appliance, compared to stand-alone washers and dryers.
Wes Sims specializes in writing about refrigerators and other major appliances. It is important to read the reviews and articles discussing appliances for your home like a washer, dryer, or other heavily used items so you know you are getting the best products. For additional information see his/her other resources.
