As a Brit, what I can't understand in the US is the continued exclusive use of separate washers and dryers.

You can get your laundry done twice as fast with a separate washer and dryer. While the 1st load is drying, you can have your 2nd load washing. While the 2nd load is drying, you can have the 3rd load washing. I would hate to have a combined unit because it would take forever to do the laundry.