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No, we are not referring to the imposing laundry tower that
rises from merely stacking a dryer on top of a washer to save space.
We are talking about one box that handles both washing and drying.
With space, venting and utility connections increasingly at a premium,
particularly in the city, these high-tech two-in-one units may be an
important new option for homeowners.
Combination units have been around since the 1970s when they were
developed for commercial applications, as well as for placement in apartments
and other space-conscious residential locations. Early attempts at asking one
box to do two jobs yielded predictably mediocre results. The units used a lot
of electricity, took forever to dry clothes and represented a passable compromise at best.
These days, combination units offer significantly improved energy efficiency --
particularly those that utilize condensation instead of electricity for drying clothes.
Their popularity is on the rise in Europe and manufacturers are looking at the U.S. market
for new niche opportunities, particularly in and around larger cities.
"The appeal of the units is twofold. As a single machine, they can be fit into
a smaller space than two separate units. Second, unlike conventional dryers they're
ventless, which makes them a great option for people who live in condos, apartments,
historic buildings or anywhere else cutting a vent isn't an option," said Mike Lee
of Los Angeles-based Thor Appliance Company.
Thor's combination washer/dryer units are among a very limited number of
models currently manufactured just for the residential market. Its SoftLine unit
resembles a modern front-loading washing machine, though a bit smaller. With a
2.3 cubic-foot washing capacity, the SoftLine is about two-thirds the size of
most conventional washers.
While the washing cycle of the machine is fairly standard, requiring hot
and cold water connections, the drying is done through a condensation process
instead of using air heated by electricity or gas. As a result, the unit requires
no gas line, 220-volt power connection or vent to the outside.
"Steam is blown into a special chamber as the clothes tumble, where the steam
is condensed into water," Lee said. "A conventional dryer heats the air and vents out
the steam. This unit directs the air through the clothes, keeping it within the drum
and condensing the water. The washer also has a faster spin cycle than other washers
in order to remove more water before drying."
But in addition to a smaller load size, the other significant trade-off is
drying time. While significantly better than the 1970s models, the Thor unit still
requires from 90 minutes to two hours to dry a full load of laundry.
If time is not an issue, one plus of a combined unit is the ability to set
it once and walk away without having to move wet laundry from one box to another.
The unit can continue from wash into dry mode without any new settings or instructions
from the user.
The Thor SoftLine retails for around $1,100 and is available direct from Thor's
website at www.thorappliances.com.
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