How to Install a Ventless Washer Dryer Combo

On this page (10 sections)

1. Where should a ventless washer dryer combo go?
2. Can you install a ventless combo without an outside vent?
3. What water and drain connections do you need?
4. How do you move and level the machine?
5. Why must you remove the shipping bolts first?
6. Which combo suits an RV or a cabin?
7. Which combo gives you the most install flexibility?
8. How do you run the first test cycle?
9. How do you keep the install safe over time?
10. The short version

To install a ventless washer dryer combo, put it on a flat, steady floor near a hot and cold tap and a drain, connect the inlet hoses and drain hose, plug it into a grounded outlet, and pull the shipping bolts before the first wash. The ventless part is the easy part: no outside duct, so the whole job comes down to space, water, power and level.

This guide walks through how to install a ventless washer dryer combo in order, from measuring the spot to the first test cycle. The steps are the same for the compact all-in-one machines sold for apartments, RVs and small homes.

Where should a ventless washer dryer combo go?

Pick a spot with a flat floor, a grounded outlet and access to both a water supply and a drain. A closet, a bathroom or a kitchen alcove all work if the machine fits with clearance around it.

Measure the cabinet opening and the machine's outer dimensions, then add a few inches on each side and behind for the hoses. The COMFEE' model measures 23.4 in deep, 25.2 in wide and 33.5 in tall, so a typical closet needs to be wider than that to load it comfortably.

A front loader also needs clear space in front for the door to swing open. Keep the machine out of standing water and away from direct heat.

A ventless dryer releases some warmth and moisture into the room during the dry cycle, so a spot with a little air movement is better than a sealed cupboard.

Can you install a ventless combo without an outside vent?

Yes. A ventless combo dries without a duct, so you don't need a window or a hole in the wall.

The machine condenses the moisture from the hot air and sends the water down the drain with the wash water.

That is the main reason these machines suit apartments and rentals. The Equator model can dry in vented or ventless mode, so you can switch to ventless when no duct is available.

Our guide to the ventless washer dryer combo options explains how the two drying modes differ.

Because there is no duct, there is also no lint duct to clean outside. Plan to wipe the door seal and check the machine's internal filter, and keep the room from getting too humid by leaving a door or window open during a dry cycle.

What water and drain connections do you need?

You need a hot and cold tap, the two inlet hoses that come with the machine, and a drain the hose can reach. The COMFEE' includes a fill hose, and the Equator includes a drain hose, a fill hose and a power cord.

Screw the hot hose to the hot tap and the cold hose to the cold tap. Hand tighten them, then give each a small extra turn with pliers; don't overtighten or you can split the rubber washer.

Check the mesh filters sit inside the hose ends before you connect them.

For the drain, a standpipe or a dedicated outlet is the most reliable choice. If you drain into a sink, hook the hose end so it stays above the water line and cannot fall out during the spin.

A sink that drains slowly can back up when the machine empties.

Which combo fits a tight closet?

The COMFEE' is a strong fit for a small closet because its footprint is compact and it has steam care plus an overnight wash and dry cycle. That lets a load run while you sleep.

Its drum takes a 26 lb wash load and a 13 lb dry load. Bear in mind the dry load is smaller than the wash load on most combos, so a full wash often needs splitting before it dries.

How do you move and level the machine?

Slide the combo close to its spot on its own feet, then adjust the leveling legs until it does not rock. A machine that wobbles will walk during the spin and can damage the floor or the cabinet.

Push the machine on a hard, flat surface rather than dragging it across carpet. Get help for the lift, since these machines weigh 160 to 175 lb.

The Contoure is about 172 lb, the Equator about 173 lb and the COMFEE' about 161 lb.

Press down on each corner in turn. If the cabinet tips or rocks, turn the nearest foot up or down until all four sit firmly.

Lock the legs once it is steady, then check the machine again after the first spin cycle.

Why must you remove the shipping bolts first?

The shipping bolts hold the drum in place for travel and must come out before the first wash. Leaving them in can shake the machine hard and damage the suspension.

The COMFEE' instructions spell out the steps: loosen all the bolts with a spanner, pull them free, cover the holes with the transport hole plugs, and keep the bolts for a future move. Most combos ship with the same kind of bolts at the back.

If you skip this step, the drum can bang against the cabinet during the spin. Stop the cycle and remove the bolts if you hear heavy knocking on the first run.

Which combo suits an RV or a cabin?

The Contoure is built for RV and small-home use, with a 120V ventless design and no outside venting. Its steam function helps refresh clothes and reduce wrinkles between washes.

It measures 34 in deep, 28.5 in wide and 27.75 in tall, and the door needs about 42.5 in of clearance when open. Check that swing against your closet or hallway before you buy.

It offers 16 wash cycles and 5 dry cycles, with a knob control and a titanium finish.

The main trade-off is depth. At 34 in deep it is longer than the Equator, so measure the recess rather than guessing.

Which combo gives you the most install flexibility?

The Equator is the most flexible on installation because it can dry vented or ventless. That means you can use ventless mode now and switch to a vent later if you add one.

It runs on 110V and a 15 A circuit, so a standard outlet can power it. The compact cabinet measures 24 in deep, 23.6 in wide and 33.5 in tall.

It also has a pet cycle for hair and dander, plus a pause-and-add function for a forgotten sock.

Quiet mode keeps operation under 60 dB, which helps if the machine sits near a living area. That combination of size and drying choice makes it a good fit for a rental where you cannot cut a vent.

How do you run the first test cycle?

Run an empty hot wash with no clothes and no detergent before the first real load. This flushes the drum and checks the hoses and drain for leaks while nothing can be stained.

Start the cycle and watch the inlet hoses and the drain connection for the first few minutes. A small drip at a hose end usually means the washer is loose or the fitting needs another quarter turn.

Tighten it and wipe the area dry.

Let the cycle finish and check the floor around the machine. If the drain hose jumped out, reseat it and secure it with a clip.

Run one short dry cycle on an empty drum to confirm the ventless drying works and the room does not get too humid.

How do you keep the install safe over time?

Check the hoses, the drain and the level once or twice a year, and keep the door seal clean. Small leaks and a wobbly cabinet are the two problems that turn into big ones.

Look at the inlet hoses for cracks or bulging and replace any that look worn. Wipe the door gasket so lint and detergent do not build up.

Clear the machine's filter as the manual directs. If the floor is uneven, recheck the feet after a few months, since a machine can settle.

For a small home with limited floor space, a portable washer and dryer may suit better than a fixed combo. If you already own a separate dryer and are weighing options, our washer dryer combo vs stackable comparison covers the trade-offs.

For a compact unit with a strong spin, see the portable washer with spin dryer picks.

The short version

The key to how to install a ventless washer dryer combo is to treat it like any compact washer and skip the vent work. Measure the space, set the machine level, connect the hoses, secure the drain, remove the shipping bolts and run one empty cycle before you trust it with clothes.

Pick the COMFEE' for a small closet with steam care and an overnight cycle. Pick the Equator if you want vented or ventless drying and a quiet spin.

Pick the Contoure for an RV or cabin where a 120V ventless machine and steam matter most. Whichever you choose, the first empty test run is the step that catches a leak before it reaches your floor.

Frequently asked questions

Does a ventless washer dryer combo need a vent?

No. It dries by condensing the moisture and draining the water away, so there is no lint duct to the outside.

You still need a drain, a power outlet and a water supply, but a window or outside wall is not part of the install.

How much space does a ventless washer dryer combo need?

Plan for the cabinet plus a few inches on every side and room behind for the hoses. Check the door swing too, since a front loader needs clear space to open fully and load the drum.

Do I have to remove the shipping bolts?

Yes. The transport bolts hold the drum for moving and must come out before the first wash.

Loosen them with a spanner, pull them free, cover the holes with the plugs provided and keep the bolts in case you move house.

Can a ventless washer dryer combo drain into a sink?

It can drain into a sink if the hose end stays above the water line and the sink empties fast enough. A standpipe or a dedicated drain is more reliable, because a sink can overflow during a long wash or dry cycle.

How level does the floor need to be?

It needs to be flat and steady, not perfectly level to the millimeter. Adjust the feet until the cabinet does not rock when you press the corners, then lock the leveling legs so it stays put through the spin.