Choose the right energy efficient washer and dryer to suit your needs.
An Energy efficient washer and dryer is careful its use of water and energy. They are usually plumbed to receive just cold water and therefore will heat only the amount of water required during the washes and rinses.
- Washers offer a wide variety of programmes, resulting in cleaner laundry. They provide greater choices of spins useful for different types of fabrics. Washing machines are still heavy and tend to vibrate at higher spin speeds. They need to stand on solid, even floor surfaces to help reduce vibration and the resulting noise.
Energy Efficient Tumble Dryer
- Drying clothes, using a tumble dryer is now quite straight forward as they are fitted with timers and sensors.
- The majority of tumble dryers and washing machines for home use have a capacity of around 6kg but they are also available from 3kg to 10kg. (5 T-shirts or a large sheet weigh about 1kg).
- Specialist retailers of washing and drying machines may sell appliances in different colours but usually the choice is between, silver, aluminium or white.
Types of energy efficient washer and dryer
- Tumble dryers that are vented to the outside.
- Steam condensing tumble dryers where the water is collected in a reservoir.
- A combined washer-dryer
- Washing machines and tumble dryers that are designed to partner each other by standing side to side or with the tumble dryer stacked on top of the washer.
- Washers and dryers can be free standing or built in, top loading or front loading.
Vented tumble dryers
The steam created from drying the clothes is turned into moisture. This steam is channelled through a plastic hose and vented through a hole in an outside house wall, or through an open window.
A Condensing Tumble Dryer
The water from drying clothes is collected inside the machine and flows through a pipe to a reservoir. This reservoir must be emptied after each drying cycle. Sometimes, condenser dryers can be plumbed in, so the water can be pumped out via the washing machine.
Energy Efficient Washer and Dryer
These space-savers washer-dryers mostly use the condensing drying method. They tend to cost more to run and not to perform as well as two separate machines but are worth considering if space is at a premium.
A washer-dryer stacked one on top of the other
If floor space is in short supply, then it is worth considering this option. Stacking accessories are available. It is useful to make sure that the capacity of both machines is similar so that the whole wash load can be transferred directly from one to the other.
Front Loaders
Front loaders are the most common type of in this category of appliances. The choice of placement is wider but washers need to be positioned close to a water supply for their plumbing or close to the outside wall or window if using the venting system.
Built in or integrated Washing Machine and Tumble Dryer
- Before ordering your built-in appliance, measure the width, depth and height of the intended placement space and if necessary, make sure you can buy a matching door.
- Integrated washing machines are always front loaders When buying a new kitchen, the kitchen supplier will provide a suitable appliance housing carcass. Ask for a door that opens 180 degrees as this will give you good access to load and unload your washing with ease.
- Built-in or integrated tumble dryers are usually of the condensing type unless they back onto an outside wall.
A Top loading washing machines
Top loaders need to stand alone to allow the top lid to open freely. They can be suitable for people with back problems who find bending difficult.
Buying your new energy efficient washer and dryer.
- Both washing machines and tumble dryer are graded separately for energy efficiency, wash and dry performance.
- Study the grading on the labels which range from AAA to G, the best being tripleA
- Check the drum size of both appliances. Match them to your family needs.
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