All-In-One Washer-Dryer with Heat Pump Technology
Another thing I’ve been considering is getting an all-in-one washer-dryer combo. We currently have a reasonably new Energy Star washer and dryer in the basement laundry room, but almost all of our wash is generated upstairs and we have two very steep staircases to get to the basement. We’re not getting any younger, and I’m getting more and more concerned about lugging clothes up and down the steps.
Pros
- They do not require venting, so we could put it upstairs in the bedroom on the other side of the wall that holds the plumbing for the shower without having to knock out a vent in an outside wall (most washer-dryer combos are ventless but require a drain or water-collecting reservoir for moisture removal).
- Space saving. While they tend to be a bit taller than a traditional washing machine, their overall width and depth are comparable.
- The model I lean toward buying, the GE Profile 4.8 cu ft. In addition, if down the road we need to downsize, we could take this with us and use half the space. Another option might be to move the unit to the first floor if we wanted to remain in our current home but live (mostly or totally) on one floor. Runs on a standard 120V electric line.
- 50% more energy efficient than a conventional washer/dryer. The energy estimate says it costs $19 a year to run six loads of wash per week. Also conserves water.
- Quiet
Cons
- Pricey. The $2000 price tag is daunting, but National Grid has a $200 coupon for energy efficient washer purchases, so the cost will be less. (Unfortunately, the federal tax breaks ended in 2025 – thanks, Trump).
- Slow. If we were still working, this might be an issue.
- Can’t multitask. In other words, you can’t wash a second load while the first is drying. This is not how my wife does the wash anyway, so not a big issue.
- Smaller drum size. Again, my wife tends to do a single smallish load daily, so this actually fits our needs.
- Repairs may be more costly.
An interesting quirk: They exhaust cool air during the drying process, which can have an effect similar to an air conditioner. This might be appreciated more in the summer months than in the winter.
Questions
- How big do we need? There are units from 2.4 cu ft to 5.0 cu ft, and there seems to be some sense that the smaller units might actually dry more effectively (because the loads are smaller). In addition, the unit I’m considering right now weighs 302 lbs, whereas the smaller unit is 183 lbs. Given that it has to go up steep and narrow stairs, this may be an issue to be considered.