Some appliances go hand-in-hand. One such pair is a washer/dryer.
Clothes need to be dried immediately after washing.
Fortunately, or unfortunately, these two can age at different rates.
Oftentimes, the washer is the first to die.
Driers are made up of fewer components, so they last a little longer.
So, Should You The Replace Washer and Dryer at The Same Time?
Well, let’s start by addressing the first question: should you replace your washer/dryer pair simultaneously? There are pros and cons to replacing the two at the same time, so there’s no one straight answer to that question.
I know it sounds a little counterintuitive, but think about it: if your washer dies today, the dryer is more likely to follow suit in a few years.
Here are more genuine reasons to replace the pair at the same time when one dies:
1. Need for Matching Designs
Many homeowners don’t want their laundry room to have a disjointed look.
You probably don’t want your GE washer to go together with a Whirlpool dryer that a friend just suggested to you.
The best thing about having a set of appliances from the same brand is a uniform design.
A washer from Samsung will look better with a dryer from the same company.
So, if your Samsung washer dies, buy a new set of two appliances for the sake of maintaining a uniform look in your laundry room.
2. Better Performance
Ever noticed that different appliances from the same generation and brand often come with complementary features?
A Whirlpool washer made around the same time as a dryer from the same company is more likely to come with functions that work across the two devices.
Furthermore, don’t be surprised to realize that you can control all your Whirlpool appliances from the same app.
As a result, you will have an easier time running the pair together than if they were from different brands.
A good example of complementary functions across two appliances from the same company is a washer/dryer pair with steam as their key element.
In this case, the washer will use the steam to eliminate stains while the dryer will use it to keep your fabrics wrinkle-free.
Another example is complementary capacities.
If you buy a washer and dryer from the same generation and company, you can be assured that the dryer will dry the whole load produced by the washer in one sweep.
This is an efficiency booster, allowing you to complete your washing session in the shortest time possible.
3. Less Stressful Repair and Maintenance
While replacing your washer/dryer pair or any other two appliances that normally go hand-in-hand, consider their future repair and maintenance needs.
As it’s usual, they will need regular checkups and repair the entire time they will be in service.
Replacing the pair simultaneously as a set could mean you will have an easier time matching their maintenance schedules.
That way, you are more likely to add a few more years of service to their lifespan.
Furthermore, since both of them were acquired at the same time from the same brand, you will find it easier to source their parts than if they belonged to different brands and were replaced at different times.
Better yet, you might be surprised to learn that your Bosch washer/dryer pair use similar parts because they were designed to match.
4. Warranties
Warranty is one of the most important factors to consider when purchasing any appliance.
You want to be assured that the seller will replace your device if it fails within a certain period.
Replacing your washer/dryer at the same time can help avoid some of the common woes associated with warranties.
The first benefit is that the two warranty coverages on both appliances will last the same period because they were acquired at the same time.
If they both span 2 years, you can count on your supplier to replace both within this period in case of a failure.
Plus, if by any chance you run into problems stated in the warranty, you only have one company to call.
Why You Shouldn’t Replace Your Washer/Dryer Pair at The Same Time
While it makes sense – and can be beneficial – to replace your washer/dryer pair at the same time, you probably shouldn’t for these reasons:
1. High Upfront Costs
Paying for two laundry appliances at the same time is no joke.
Replacing them all at once the next time they break will be just as costly.
Some manufacturers will try to lead you into thinking you are buying the pair at a discount but the fact remains, you will part with more cash than if you opted to replace each appliance at the right time.
2. Steep Learning Curve
If you have grown used to a pair of washer/dryer, replacing it at the same time may mean going through two user manuals and learning the basics all over again.
It’s hard to quickly adjust from one pair of appliances to a new set.
3. You Didn’t Buy Them as A Pair at The Start
If you didn’t buy them as a pair at the same time, it would be wasteful and costly to get rid of all the two just because one has died.
You’ll want to suck more juice out of the slightly newer washer and still keep laundry work going with a dryer replacement.
4. You Don’t Care About Colors and Brands
There’s nothing wrong with having a cocktail of several appliances in your laundry room.
If you don’t care about brands and colors, go ahead and get yourself a grey washer from Samsung and a Black & Decker drier at different times.
They don’t need to have something in common other than stainless-steel construction.
At the end of the day, what matters is the price tag (and whether you can afford it) and functionality.
Wait! Can You Even Mix and Match Washer and Dryer Brands?
Yes – but only if the two devices are compatible which isn’t common.
It only takes luck for a Whirlpool dryer to stack flawlessly on top of a GE washer or even work together in harmony.
It is recommended that you obtain your washer and dryer from the same brand for compatibility reasons.
Appliance manufacturers prefer to design their products in such a way that they can easily work with each other if need be – a Whirlpool washer and dryer will always be compatible with each other.
Another thing worth noting: you can only stack a front-load washer (broadly speaking) because its top panel is normally free. This means you should be aiming for a front-load washer/front-load washer configuration.
To avoid the complications that come with trying to mix and match dryers and washers, you can go for a washer/dryer combination (2-in-1 unit) which has everything figured out from the factory.
Even better, you can go for stacking kits as long as you don’t involve a top-load washer.
Conclusion
So, should you replace washer and dryer at the same time?
Yes – for uniformity and performance reasons, but the upfront cost is often high.
And can you mix and match washer and dryer brands?
Yes – but only if the two devices are compatible which isn’t common.
However, it is recommended that you obtain your washer and dryer from the same brand for compatibility reasons.
Related
References
https://upgradedhome.com/can-i-stack-a-different-brand-of-washer-and-dryer/
