Is a washer-dryer right for you?

Choose it for the space you save

A washer-dryer can make sense when there is room for only one appliance. It is less convenient when you need to wash the next load while the first is drying: one drum cannot do those two jobs at once. Compare your weekly routine, not just the advertised wash capacity.

Read both load limits

The wash rating and the drying rating are separate. If a particular model is rated for 9 kg washing and 6 kg drying, a full 9 kg wash must be reduced before using that 6 kg drying cycle. This is an illustration, not a specification for our stock. Continuous wash-and-dry programmes also have their own limits.

Check the complete-cycle energy figure

Current washer-dryer labels distinguish washing-only information from the complete wash-and-dry cycle. Use the figure for the way you expect to use it. A wash-only energy grade is not a promise about the cost of drying. See the running-cost method below and the exact model’s label.

Questions to ask

• How much laundry can this specific programme wash and dry without unloading?
• Which fabrics can be dried, and which must be air-dried?
• What are the overall depth and clearances, including the door and connections?
• Are the required water, waste and electrical connections suitable?
• Is this freestanding or integrated, and are installation arrangements agreed?

A sensible alternative

If you have space and do a lot of laundry, compare a separate washer and dryer. You gain flexibility, but need room and a suitable installation for both. We can help compare actual available models without assuming one setup suits everyone.

A practical running-cost check

Use the electricity unit rate from your own bill—not a fixed national price. If a label states 50 kWh per 100 cycles and your rate is £0.25 per kWh, the energy cost is 50 ÷ 100 × £0.25 = £0.125 per labelled cycle. These are example figures, not a tariff or a stock specification. Actual use varies; water charges, detergent and standing charges are not included. Check whether the label refers to washing only, washing and drying, or another programme basis.