I have a customer that wants to put a washer/dryer combination unit in a small space. The kind he’s interested in is the one where the same drum washes and dries.
The advantage to this unit is that it condenses the moisture removed from the clothes and sends it down the drain. So it doesn’t need a vent which won’t be easy to run from where he wants to install it. Of course, it’s electric.
Any experiences with these?
Replies
My brother had one in his condo. He still had to go to the laundromat for sheets and towels. It couldn't handle the heavier items.
Every dealer I ever talked to said not to even think about it. As the other reply said, they don't do larger items and they also said that they take forever to finish a cycle. If they have a good budget, you could look at miele and do use regular machines with the stacking kit. They are high efficiency machines and considered by most the best available. But they are priced as the best too, so it might not be an option. I think Bosch and a few other companies have similar set ups with large capacity machines that might be less money.
We have the miele large capacity 1203 washer and 1403 dryer in the stackable. Each machine is about the size of a dishwasher but still handles large loads. They have condensing models that do not need venting too.
http://www.miele.com/usa/laundry/fabric_care.asp?cat=4&nav=21&oT=45
my appliance saleman beenin the business 30 plus year says to to even think of one.
My brother bought one 4 years ago, and get's it repaired about 1-2 a year. Luckily, he purchased extended warrenty for the 1st two years so the repairs were free, and he simply renews the warrenty coverage every year to keep the darn thing running. I wouldn't recommend it.
I have heard that the single unit takes a long, long time to finish one load.
We have a stacked Asko washer/dryer--it is pretty small for the pair. I think Frigidaire makes a similar sized front-loading unit that is stackable, which might cost less than Asko or Miele.
We have the stacked Bosch units and the dryer is condensing. They work great. Bought them used on Craigslist. They are smaller but we can wash sheets and towels. I really like the idea of the condensing dryer and wish they made a larger one. Some of the condensing dryers have a cup you have to empty, the Bosch does not, it has a pump that goes to the washer drain.