You might know how a washing machine works and you might know how a tumble dryer works, but how do washer dryers work? This might be something you’ve been wondering for a while. In this article, we’re going to help you find out. Even if you don’t know how either a washing machine or a dryer work, there’ll be some info on that in this article too. Ultimately, you might be wondering how to combine both types of machinery. Something that runs both hot and cold without needing altering? That’s why washer dryers are so useful.
If you haven’t enjoyed the benefits of a washer dryer already, you’ve been missing out. You can simply put something in it to wash and then forget about it. You don’t have to stop and move it to another machine or put it on the radiator. Simply set the cycle and go and do something else, then return to completely clean AND dry items.
Washer dryers are super convenient. You can save a lot of time and effort with them, but that’s not all they’re good for. One major benefit of a washer dryer is that they take up less space. That means people with smaller houses or kitchens don’t have to find room for two different machines. You can now get all your washing done in one simple machine no matter how much kitchen space you’ve got.
Replacing your existing washer with a washer dryer is a great idea if you haven’t already got a dryer. It might be a bit much to throw out two machines if you already have a washer and a dryer, but consider a washer dryer when they reach the end of their cycle.
Another benefit of a good washer dryer is cost. While some systems might be a bit more expensive than a standard washer or dryer, there isn’t normally much in it. Some could even be cheaper. But that’s before you bring into the equation the fact that you only need one machine, rather than two. That makes them MUCH cheaper. So if washer dryers are cheaper, more convenient, and take up less space, why don’t you have one already?
And if that’s not all, washer dryers can also be more energy efficient. That means you’ll be impacting the environment less AND saving money with one.
Whether you’ve already got a washer dryer or not, if you’re wondering how they work, then you’re in the right place. Let’s have a look:
How do washer dryers work?
There are two main types of washer dryers. These are vented and non-vented systems. Vented washer dryers are popular on boats and in caravans/RVs, but you might also have one at home. There are also ventless equivalents that are more popular in apartment blocks and highrises because they don’t need ventilation built in (which can be difficult to put in place in a highrise).
A vented washer dryer works similarly to a front loading washer. They use soap and tumbling to get things clean then switches to a spin cycle to help remove the water.
These vented systems draw in air from the room to use in order to dry. They heat the air they draw in and apply it to what’s in the machine. This warm or hot air is then spun with the items in the machine. The moisture that is created during the heating process is expelled from the house via a vent, and is not put back into the room (this is important). The system repeats the process by drawing in new air from the surrounding room. A vent is obviously needed to make sure the steam is sent out of the house and not back into the room.
Ventless systems don’t require a vent and don’t work quite the same way. Instead of drawing in air and heating it, ventless systems use a process similar to a dehumidifier to dry the items in the machine.
With a ventless washer dryer, a condensing chamber is cooled and then the air inside the drum is warmed up by it. When the drum spins, moisture is sucked out of wet items. This humid air is then sent through the condensing chamber to cool it. Condensation is formed in this process and is taken out via a drainage tube. The dry hot air is then sent back into the machine and recirculated as the process repeats in a cycle.
The main benefit of this is that it doesn’t require venting. That makes them good for homes where ventilation isn’t possible. It also means you can put these in without making changes to your kitchen or wherever you have your washer dryer.
Here are a few other features you might need to be aware of when purchasing a washer dryer and how they work, so you know what to look for:
Filter
Your washer dryer will have a filter to trap dirt. And these need to be changed or at least cleaned regularly. They can actually accumulate quite a lot of dirt quite quickly.
Capacity
Your machine will have a drum size which is normally listed in kg. That’s how much you can put in and wash/dry at once. If you’ve got a big family, you might want to consider a washer dryer with more capacity. Businesses like restaurants who need to wash a lot of tableware or sheets might also want a bigger washer dryer. However, if you don’t fill the drum, your machine might not work as efficiently as it could, so bigger isn’t always necessary unless you really are going to use that extra capacity quite often.
Energy efficiency
These days, all new machines come with an energy efficiency rating. This will give an indication of how much of an impact it is being on the environment as well as how much it might cost to run. Try and get the best energy efficiency rating you can.
Hopefully, you’ve now seen how a washer dryer works and the benefits one could bring to your household.
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