Replace an integrated washing machine with washer/dryer

collinsca

Hi

I am moving house and the new property has an integrated kitchen.

They have a washing machine and we have a free standing washer/dryer.

Given moving effort (as we live in a flat) and timing, we will sell our unit and make do with the washer for now.

However, longer term I'm keen to replace the unit in the new house with a washer/dryer. I have been told this is (obviously) more complicated than free standing and therefore will cost.

I'd appreciate advice on what is involved to replace and what costs i might be looking at.

Many thanks!

coffeehound

Is there nowhere to site a separate dryer? 

collinsca

There is, we could put it in the garage; but i'd rather get it in the kitchen and keep garage space for other stuff

DevCoder

Washer Dryer combos are never as good as two separate machines and I mean by a long shot. Your capacity for the drying part is normally 50% of the load for the wash so you tend to end up washing, removing half the clothes, waiting hours for the dry and then more hours for the remaining wet clothes.

Personally I would have a good capacity integrated washing machine and a separate condenser heat pump drier. A heat pump drier would also be cheaper to run.

collinsca

We don't really seem to have much to wash for some reason (wife may disagree!)- but good point! i'll definitely consider it

Thanks for tip on separate condenser heat pump drier being cheaper.

collinsca

A follow up on this - ive been looking at a standalone dryer - found one on Argos - looks really good and economic. However on one of the q and a's someone has asked if they can put it in their garage and the answer was:
"the manual does advise not install the product in a low temperature room or in a room where there is a risk of frost occurring."
does this mean just for this specific one, or is it a problem to put any in a garage, or is it  a case of thats what the guide says but realistically it wont be a problem?

Also... someone has asked about the water collection system and plumbing that in so they dont need to empty the tank - does this mean the small amount of water that is collected in a tray at the bottom? OR does this mean something else!? is there more water used ?

thanks!

EssexExile

It is probably suggested that it doesn't get cold because the water may freeze, I can't think of any other problem with putting it in the garage. Is it an attached garage? Ours never freezes.

The reference to plumbing is instead of collecting water in the tank.

If you're happy with a washer dryer, putting one in place of the existing washing machine shouldn't be a problem. Maybe the décor door fitting will be different, but that's it.

collinsca

It's not quite attached- just offset. 

Thanks for confirming.

If we replace the existing washer with a new washer/dryer then can we not keep the same door?