Washer Dryer Buying Guide

July 19, 2007

Washer Dryers are combinations of both types of machines. Their goal is to help ease the constrictions of space with the ever shrinking flat size and increasing numbers of electronic gadgets required to live in the 21st century.

Front Loaders

Front loaders are one machine with both washing and drying capacity. They are capable of being built-in or freestanding and are most efficient with space. Clothes are loaded into the machine from a port in the front.

Their gravity based tumble agitation is said to be gentler and more efficient on clothes while using less water. The downsides to front loaders are that one must stoop to get clothes in and out and that it takes the wear and tear of two machines. In doing the work of two machines it takes longer to completely wash and dry a load before you can start on another. Some manufacturers offer shelving as part of the unit to bring the door up higher to avoid bending.

Top Loaders

Top loading washer dryers are actually two machines stacked into one unit with separate tumblers and controls. They offer the same concerns and conveniences as top loading washers, except that you can fit them into a slimmer space than if you had both a washer and a dryer, and the dryer door is at shoulder level. Clothes are loaded into the washer in the top, but into the dryer through a door in the front.

Spin Speed

Spin speeds are how fast the washing machine will spin the clothes to remove water from the wash. They are measured in rpm (revolutions per minute). When looking to purchase a washer dryer, you will find that washer dryers fall into these spin speed ranges:

*1000 rpm - 1499 rpm
*1500 rpm - 1999 rpm

Some units come with variable spin, which means you have a selection of rpm speeds. Higher rpm speeds offer the advantage of quicker drying. However the gain is usually negligible since the wash will stay in the same machine for drying. Higher spin speeds create more noise, wear, and tear on the machine.

Loading capacity

Washer dryers will have two loading capacities. The washing capacity is the maximum amount of clothes that can be washed. Drying capacity is the maximum amount of clothing that can be dried. Both are measured in weight. Drying capacity will often be less than wash capacity. This is because in separate machines the drums must be different sizes to do their work. When combined into two machines the drum is made smaller to favor washing size requirements so that clothes can rub together during the wash cycle. For garments to have more space to tumble about, less clothing should be in the drum.

Here are standard washing and drying capacity ranges:

Washing capacity: 4.5 - 4.9 kg, 5 - 5.4 kg, 5.5 - 5.9 kg, 6 - 10.2 kg

Drying capacity will also have the same ranges and an option of less than 4.4 kg. 5 kg or less is appropriate for a single person household. For each additional person, go up a category.

Energy Labels/Ratings

The energy labels include energy ratings as a measurement which lets the consumer know how well the unit conserves energy. It is rated on a scale of A-G (some times you will only see A-F), and can include exact numbers in kwh (Kilowatt hour) of energy use. You can also see AAA ratings and A++ ratings where each additional character is a higher rating. Sometimes the label will give water usage in litres. Caution should be used when considering energy ratings. Some machines achieve an A rating which tests only one cycle. The cycle in question can take considerably longer than cycles with lower ratings, which the consumer will likely choose to speed up washing time. The washing machine may also be rated on a similar scale for wash performance and spin drying performance. A machine can perform higher on one than the other which means it consumes more energy for one task than another.

An Energy Recommended label is different than an energy rating. Energy Recommended labels are supplied by the energy savings trust. They set forth strict guidelines on energy efficiency.

Water Supply

Fill valve options will be cold fill or hot and cold fill. Cold fill has one valve hooked up to the cold tap only to fill the drum. The cold and hot fill valve has two valves, one each hooked up to its respective temperature. Cold fill washing machines are more common as they are considered more energy efficient. The machine will heat up the water to the proper temperature. When hot and cold are used, it takes hot water from the household hot water tank, which then loses its proper temperature before filling the washer drum. This requires the water to be reheated. Most washer dryers are cold fill only.

Water consumption is the overall water used for a load. It is different and higher than drum load which is the amount of water it takes to fill the drum. Both are measured in liters.

Noise Level

No one wants to annoy their neighbours or feel like a train is running through the laundry room. The noise levels of washing machines are measured in decibels (dB). They usually fall into these noise ranges:

* Less than 40 dB
* 40 - 50 dB
* 50 - 60 dB
* 60 - 70 dB
* 70 - 80 dB

Machines that are 45 dB or less are labeled super silent. Many fall into the 50-60 dB range. A whisper, door bell and heavy traffic are around 10 dB, 71 dB, and 90 dB respectively.

Size

Units either come as built in or freestanding. Built-ins are place under a work table or cabinet. The consumer must supply the cupboard door. They are limited in where they can be place, but usually conserve space. Dimensions must be selected carefully. Free standing machines stand alone, and can be moved from area to area.

Width/depth/height of the washer dryer are important to know prior to purchasing the machine. They are given in this format H# x W# x D#. Depth is the measurement from front to back of the machine, not the deepness of the drum. They are measured in mm (600mm) or cm (60 cm) Built-ins require exact measurements of the space on all three dimensions before purchasing. Most units are universally 595 mm-600mm in width, though the range can be 550 mm-655 mm. Stand alones (freestanding) require measurement of depth so they don’t stick out. Height is usually unimportant.

Temperature

Washer dryers will have different temperatures for the wash portion and dry portion. Wash settings will often be 40, 60 and 90 degrees. Dry settings will come as high-low. Variable temperature means that more than one temperature can be selected and is desirable.

Programmes

Many washer dryers will tell you the number of programmes available. Both the washing and drying portions should have their own sets of programmes. Programmes allow you to pre-select for different fabrics. Common programmes are hand wash, silk wash, wool wash, delicate wash, quick wash, quick dry, anti-crease, low heat and easy iron.

Other programmes are super/extra rinse, variable rinses, intensive wash option, pre wash, an anti bacterial programme, and final cool tumble.

Some machines have half load programmes for small loads, and auto half load in which the machine senses the size of the load. Fuzzy logic is an option in which the user places the clothes and the machine selects all settings.

In addition, you can get the following features. This is not an exhaustive list:

Time Saver Function
Time to End of Programme
Audible End of Programme
Drum Interior Light
Delay Timer
Memory Function
Child Safety Lock
Larger Porthole
Refresh Option
Detergent Recovery System
Cradle Wash (for woolens)
Digital or Manual Control Panel
Humidity Sensors

Drying Technology

Drying technology can be spin drying: gravity or pumped, tumble drying: vented or condenser. Spin or tumble is the mechanism through which the clothes are dried. Vented, condenser, gravity or pumped is the mechanism through which resultant moisture is removed from the machine.

Space restrictions are usually the largest reason that washer dryers are purchased.