I just bought a condo that has room for a stacked washer/dryer, and I’ve never owned a setup like that. Any thoughts as to what to look for and look out for in a stackable laundry center (as the websites seem to call them). Brands/models?
It’ll be a gas dryer if that matters.
I have a stackable washer/dryer unit that also uses gas for the dryer. Although I don’t own a condo, I’m assuming the reasons are the same - limited space.
Generally speaking, due to space considerations, these units are not extra-large capacity so you can expect to be doing more loads than with a side-by-side. Overall I have no problems with this but I’m a single guy and not handling laundry for an entire household.
One problem of course in anything that has an integrated design, if something goes wrong with the washer or dryer, you cannot replace the individual item. You are stuck either repairing it or replacing the entire unit. As always, it is a cost/benefit question. My unit is fairly old (maybe 1995 and was in the house when I bought it in 2006) and I suspect that when it needs repair I will be replacing it with a new unit. I have had to have one service call, a circuit/sensor thingie (technical term, you can look it up if you want) burned out. I think with the part and service call, it was just under $200. Anymore than that and I would have just bought a whole new unit.
Oh, mine is a Kenmore mumblesomethingsomething modelmumble
MeanJoe
If you’re paying for the water and its heating, look at one with a front-load washer - they use less water and are gentler on clothes.
Sears has a stackable “entry-level” FL washer that’s often on sale for $600, and the matching dryer is similarly priced. Most FL machines are stackable - there’s no need for any vertical clearance to open a lid, so a stacked pair of them is usually a good bit shorter than a stack set with a top-load washer.
As you’ve probably already figured out, “stackable” means the machines are bought separately, and you bolt them together with the supplied brackets, and “stacked” or “stack set” machines are usually built in one piece.
I don’t know how old mine is either. It was here when we bought the house five years ago.
I like not having to bend over to take stuff out of the dryer, but because the washer lid doesn’t open all the way, it can be hard to stuff in a large blanket.
I tend to run smaller loads. If the machine is filled to capacity, in the washer and the dryer both, you’ll end up with more wrinkles. Stuff needs space to move around.
My recommendation, if you have room, is to buy a high-efficiency front loading washer and dryer and using a stack kit. We just used this setup, and bought the appliances from a Sears appliance outlet.
Next year, we will claim the appliances on our taxes and pocket a small tax credit for energy efficiency home improvements.
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As mentioned, they tend to be tiny. Like, four towels tiny. That lint trap needs to be cleaned with every freaking load.
If you have a top-loading washer on the bottom and dryer on top (a typical set-up), make sure there’s a little latch that keeps the washer’s lid open while loading. Not having one can be a real bother.
Looks like there might be some confusion going on here. There’s a difference between stackable washer and driers sets and all-in-one over and under efficiency models. The stackable ones are available up to jumbo sizes and can be used side by side or stacked.
Even though I’ve got room to put mine side by side, I prefer them stacked so I’ve got room to put an upright freezer beside them.
There is a added bonus:
If you stack the front loaders, the washer gets much quieter in the spin cycle.
Something about having a 150lb sound muffler on top…
Yep, exactly. Moved into this house 2 years ago (new construction) and the laundry room would fit side by sides, but I had a front load washer in my last house, and loved it so I wanted to do that again. I thought why not a good front loader, a high efficiency dryer and a stack kit. Now I have more room in the laundry room.
With a front loader, the spin cycle NEVER goes out of whack, you use less water, less detergent and the clothes come out drier, so there’s less dry time too.
I open both doors, sit on the little bench/glove and scarf unit I stuck there and drag things out of the washer, up into the dryer.
There is no real difference between the stackable & the side-by-side version of any given make/model.
Stackables come in micro-sized for apartments up to giant size for big families. Make sure you know how much room you have & buy one that fits.
As other have said, front load is the wave of the future. I have the large size Maytag Nepture front-loader washer & dyer in a stack. Works great.
Front loading would also be nice for washing sleeping bags and other down items, which I occasionally do. I’m having the inspection tomorrow so I’ll take measurements and see what I have to work with.