How to Select a Washer and Dryer
The laundry room is one of the busiest spaces in your home. Whether you’re doing wash for one or for a large family, choosing the right washer and dryer is essential for making your chores easier and more efficient. Learn how to select a washer and dryer in this Build.com video:
There are three main considerations when shopping for laundry appliances: configuration, dryer type and capacity.
Configuration
Front-loading appliances have doors on the front and tend to be more energy efficient and use less water than their top-loading counterparts. They can also be installed beneath your countertops to save more room for folding and sorting.
In smaller laundry rooms and laundry closets, it may be preferable to stack your washer and dryer, which means the dryer goes on top of the washing machine. There are several styles to choose from:
- A stacked laundry appliance is a single unit configuration where the dryer is permanently fixed on top of the washing machine. In this setup, you’re typically going to have a top-loading washer and a front-loading dryer.
- Stackable laundry appliances can be installed either side-by-side or with the dryer set directly on top of the washing machine. These types of models are always going to be front loaders, but you’ll want to check your product description to see whether or not this is an option.
- All-in-one washer/dryer units are the ultimate space saver. It’s just one unit that acts as a washing machine and as a dryer. Ventless units dry the laundry by condensing the moisture and draining it away, a lot like a dehumidifier. These types of appliances can save water, electricity and space, but they usually have a smaller capacity and they can take a lot longer to wash or dry your clothes.
Dryer Types
Electric dryers need an outlet with 240 volts and venting to expel the hot air to the outside.
Gas dryers need a gas hookup. They also need to be vented, but they tend to dry clothes faster than electric dryers.
Ventless condensation dryers require a 240 volt outlet. They use less energy than similar vented models, but they tend to take longer to dry laundry.
Capacity
Your washing machine and your dryer are going to be measured in cubic feet, but the rule of thumb is that you want your dryer to be about twice the capacity of your washing machine. That will allow your laundry to tumble freely and dry more effectively.
