Stacked Washer/Dryers

[NYCDiane]

I posted this on another forum/site but got answers to everything except my original question! If anyone here has any input, I'd appreciate it:

I live in an apartment and need a washer/dryer. Since the apartment is small, I want to get a stacked washer/dryer which would have to be put in the corner of my kitchen (absolutely nowhere else to put it). I have a few Qs that I hope you all can help me with:

1. What is the best and most reliable brand? (make/model) I've seen so many and there are so many mixed reviews on them.

2. How would this be hooked up? Do I hook up a hose to the sink faucet to fill the washer and is there a hose to go to the sink for drainage?

3. How would the dryer be hooked up? I know there would be some kind of hose thing that the heat would have to be released from. Would I have to have a hole cut in the wall for this. I hope not! I'm sure my LL will agree to letting me have the W/D but I doubt he would agree to a hole being cut in a wall!

4. Before anyone says it, of course I would get my LLs permission (in writing) for this and pay for any electrical or plumbing changes that need to be done.

Any other input or info would be greatly appreciated!

 

[julirina]

A stacked washer/dryer is plumbed into place just like standard side-by-side models, so you would need hot/cold water lines with shutoff valves and a drain line, as well as a 240v electrical hookup and a dryer vent (to the outside of your home). If it's a gas model, I'm pretty sure you only need 120v electrical but you'll obviously need a gas hookup, too. I've never seen a portable stacked unit that you could attach to your sink.

We have a Whirlpool stacked unit and, while it saves a great deal of space (ours is tucked into a closet), it still requires all the same plumbing and electrical hookups, so it might not suit your situation. I would consult your landlord about what you can and cannot do (running new plumbing lines and dryer vents might be out of the question), and then talk to the people at the appliance store about what's required for installation. Good luck!

 

[prncess674]

You should also verify that washer/dryers are allowed in the building. I lived in a condo building as a renter a while back and they were specifically forbidden via the condo bylaws. If you don't think you landlord will allow you to drill a hole on the outside wall you realize you will then have to vent your dryer inside your unit which could drastically increase your cooling bills in the summer.

Does your new building not have shared washer/dryers? It isn't all that bad when you get used to it.

 

[Keli]

My daughter and SIL had a stackable set when they first married and it required the same plumbing, electrical and venting that a regular washer/dryer would require. The benefit to sets like this is how little space they take up, not less plumbing, electrical or venting needs.

 

[gillep]

Just be aware that a lot of time with the stacked units if one of the units goes then you have to replace both, instead of just the broken one. I had my washer die about 6 months ago and apparently it was something with this model that this particular part just goes around 3 years into the life of the unit and the repair is about $400. After visiting about 6 separate appliance stores we had to face the hard facts of life that we either had to buy the exact same washer (which would probably die in 3 years) in order to keep our perfectly fine dryer or we had to buy a complete new set, in order to maintain stacked karma. We were able to get a nice set and even had it installed next day with free haul away of the old one but still it was not something I had budgeted for. I love our stacked w/d because it is so compact but can still wash a king size comforter. It also uses much less water than our old one and is silent, so all in all I am glad we got the new set but now I am paranoid that one will go and I will need to replace them both again. I agree with the other posters our w/d is installed with hot/cold lines a 240v and vents outside.

 

[BelleBeautyandtheBeast]

This is not exactly budget friendly.

LG makes a single unit that is a washer AND a dryer, the bonus is that it is a ventless dryer and can use all existing stuff in your house. You hook it up to cold water (the kitchen sink is fine) and it has a built in water heater. The drain can also just drain into your sink. The electrical is a standard 3 prong plug. You can buy wheels to move it around easier (store in the corner and move closer to the sink for laundry time).

Major downfall is: Each load takes about 3 hours to run all the way through.

http://www.lgwasherdryer.com/combos.html

I know around here they are sold at Home Depot and run about $1,300.

The reason I was looking at them is because my mother suffers from RA and can no longer use steps and needs to move the laundry to the main floor without having to do major plumbing and rewiring. She is looking at buying one of these.

 

[Miss Peach]

You will need to cut a hole in the wall to allow the dryer to vent to the outside, and that sounds like it might be a deal breaker with your landlord.

We bought a ventless dryer for a very tight spot several years ago, and it never really dried anything.

It made everything damp enough that then we could drape things around the house and eventually they would dry---towels and jeans being the real pain!!

Other than that, I would just recommend buying from someone that offers in home service--like Sears. We bought a fancy ASKO pair, it looks beautiful, but it is a bother when it came time for repairs. And costly, too.

Good luck,

Cathy

 

[lchadwick]

We had a stackable when we lived in an apt in VT. We were able to get the sink hookup and for the dryer, there is a unit that the big dryer vent hose feeds into. You keep a little bit of water in it and the lint collects in there. Just remember to clean it out each and every time (which you should always do, anyway). We lived with that for 3 years and I can't really complain - it served me with a family of four.

If the unit doesn't have those options available where you buy it, check a hardware store.

 

[andycat]

For which brands are most reliable, check out consumer reports. There are a couple of ways to find stackable W/Ds. One is a standard set with a front loading washer that's designed to allow the dryer to sit on top. The other option - probably a better choice for one or two people, is a combo unit where the washer and dryer are built into the same frame. Some of these have front loading washers, some have top loaders. Some of the combo units will run on only 120V, so you might not need any electrical work if you have a 20-amp outlet nearby (and don't use anything else on that circuit while the dryer is running).

The big problem is venting the dryer. You really don't want to vent it into your living space - where do you think all the moisture from your wet clothes is going to go? This sounds like a recipe for mold, mildew, and a host of other problems.

 

[RangerPooh]

Sorry I can't answer the majority of your questions but I can recommend a unit. A few years ago we were looking for either a stacked unit or front loaders that were compact and stackable, and decided against the stacked unit in favor of the front-loaders. A PP mentioned that if one goes out you;d have to replace the unit, that was one of the reasons we decided against the stacked unit. In the end we went with Kenmore's cheapest front load washing machine and the matching drier. The units were stackable and we never had any problems with them. I also think that the capacity might have been better than the stacked unit.