All in one Washer and Dryer?????

4 years ago

Currently my in laws washer and dryer are in the basement and due to the stairs its best the washer dryer be moved upstairs. years ago during a remodel they had an area set up for washer/dryer.....Well so we thought!! Its set up for the washing machine, but not for the dryer!! Why, dont ask me,lol So we started looking at the all in 1 washer/dryer machine. Here is what i have found:

1) washing machine portion works well

2) The dryer is the weak point......takes forever to dry a load and they give off a lot of heat, which could lead to mold/mildew issues in that general area.

We are going to see if a duct can be lead from the dryer to outside and get 240 Electrical...but if not, wondering if the all in one units should even be considered. Ty

Featured Answer

jwvideo

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

On considering an all-in-one unit, have you seen this NYT/wirecutter article: best washer-dryer combo (but we don't recommend it)?

On the upstairs laundry space, is there vertical room to stack a compact dryer on top of a compact front load washer? To figure out the space, most compact stacks are 24-inches wide and about 68-inches tall.

On the heat, moisture, and etc. issues with the combos, that's the result of their using condenser drying mechanisms for the ventless drying. The good news on a stacked set is that several brands of compact washers & dryers now offer dryers using heat-pumps which don't put much heat or moisture into the laundry space. The ones I looked at recently were Miele T-1 models (some long and informative threads here on the W1 washers and T1 dryers line, btw). The big attraction of the Miele T-1 is that they run from a 120v outlet rather than a 240v one. It might (or might not) be easier to run a second 120v circuit to that upstairs location than it would be to run a new 240v circuit there and you could avoid cutting in vent ducting if that is going to be difficult .

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Comments (9)

Scott c
Original Author
4 years ago
There is space for a regular stackable unit...just no duct work and 240v! Having a few contractors come by soon to give us a quote on that. An easy fix seemed to be the all in one units.....but like the article stated....if they worked well...they would be more popular. Thank you for the response and article
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littlegreeny
4 years ago
I second jwvideo's recommendation about getting a Miele set. The dryer is a heat pump and does not vent to the outside. I got the WXR860/TXR860 set in December and have been very happy with them.
Scott c
Original Author
4 years ago
Ty..sounds like a good option if we cant get ductwork or 240.....ty
Scott c
Original Author
4 years ago
Littlegreeny....The dryer is ventless.....How much longer does it take to dry compared to a Vented dryer? We went to a store and the Miele look nice....BUT the salesman stated the Miele still takes a fair bit longer to dry compared to your vented dryer. He wasn't super knowledgeable, so didn't get a good feeling from him,lol 1 salesman there wasn't even aware the Miele dryer was 120V
N Johnson
4 years ago
I have both a Deco and a Miele ventless. The Deco is vented to the outside and it sits under the stairs on a brick floor in a ‘carriage house’ (in a cold climate) that has guest quarters above. I used it a lot the summer before last when I was watching a slow remodel of our cottage during Covid. It worked just fine for me — best putting it in at night waking up to really dry clothes in the morning. Worked well for grand babies staying over there last summer too. I struggle a little more with the Miele at home. I assume European ‘more dry’ is not supposed to be bone dry but able to be hung. When I’m in a hurry for the clothes I’m drying, I often have to follow up with the Timed Dry cycle to make it ready to wear or fold or put away.
Steve Babiak
4 years ago
Since you already are going with 240V electric for a vented dryer, you might want to consider the ventless combo unit below; I have a one bedroom rental apartment where I had that installed and the tenant there was happy to have it.

Whirlpool model # WFC8090GX

Whirlpool 2.8-cu ft Ventless Combination Washer and Dryer
Susanne
4 years ago
I have the LG mentioned in the above article. It is in my master closet and works great for smaller loads. Takes 3 hours to wash and dry but I usually put a load in and leave for the day.

I have had no moisture or mildew issues like I have had with other front load washers. I think this is due to the drying function pulling the moisture out of the unit. I have not noticed excess moisture in the room.

I’m not sure I would be happy if this were my only laundry option. I use this mainly for my smaller loads of cotton undergarments, T-shirt’s, workout wear, etc.

I use a regular size washer and separate dryer to wash my king size bed linens, towels, and my jeans. My husband only uses the regular size separate washer and dryer because his things are too large for the smaller unit. If it is overloaded things come out very wrinkled.

I’m not sure the washer/dryer combo would be large enough for the king size linens. I washed and dried my jeans once in the combo and they came out with a permanent faded crease so never again.

I have had it for almost 5 years without an issue but now have to have it serviced for a ‘not draining’ error message.

Hope this helps.
Scott c
Original Author
4 years ago
Turns out we can get duct work put in place, so no longer have to consider a ventless dryer. Now the issue is space,lol A compact washer/dryer fits with ease and can wash 99% of their items....and they still will have the full size in basement to wash comfortors.....but mother in law really wants a full size in the main floor. We have 35" to work with....the LG she wants has a depth of 30.4 inches....throw in the ven hose 4" and how it will fit.....it would be a tight fit....the dryer venting in the wall would need to be recessed. We shall see. TY all