How well does the Axxis condenser dryer Dry?
claybabe
9 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (13)
larsi_gw
9 years agoRelated Discussions
Long Duct Run for Vented Dryer vs. Condenser Dryer
Comments (20)gordonr, If there's nothing else I've learned during the course of my renovations, I've learned that everything ends up being more complicated than you expect. Once you open up the ceiling or the wall, there always seems to be something in the way of what you want to do. A floor joist where the tub drain needed to be, pipes where I wanted recessed lights to go, and now the recessed light over the tub is where it would make sense to run the duct. I can hardly wait to get to the kitchen renovation! I spoke with a rep in Miele's technical service group yesterday. Initially he was telling me he thought what I wanted to do entailed too long a stretch of duct - that it would reduce the performance of the dryer. I told him I expected that it would not be optimal performance, but what I was trying to determine was whether it would reduce it to the extent that a condenser dryer would have the same performance. He didn't seem to understand what I was getting at, so I gave an example: If the vented model has 15% better performance than the condenser model and the venting I'm doing reduces performance by 15%, then the condenser model would be generally equivalent, but if the vented dryer's performance is 50% greater, the same 15% reduction in performance would still mean the vented dryer was a better choice. I asked if he could give me any information about how much better the vented dryer's performance was than the condenser model and how much the venting I was considering would reduce the vented dryer's performance. At that point, he said he wanted to talk with one of the senior technical reps and put me on hold. When he came back, he told me that the dryer was rated for up to 60 feet (which I already knew) and that I should be fine with what I was planning on doing. He also told me that the sr. rep had indicated that having a condenser dryer in a closet could be problematic because it puts off a lot more heat than a vented dryer - you'd need a lot more air circulation into the closet with a condenser dryer. The closet I'll be putting the w/d into is 68" wide by 29" deep, so the extra heat and air circulation need may not have been as much of an issue for me as it might be for others with a more confined space. One learning that I took away from this: if you start to get the sense that the technical or customer service person you're talking to may not be as knowledgeable as you'd like, ask to talk with a senior rep. Like anywhere else, initial phone calls will be answered by more junior staff who will route the more complicated issues to more experienced staff. I've decided to go with a vented dryer, and now just need to decide between the Miele and the Asko. I'll let everyone know which one I end up with. Jan...See MoreBosch Axxis Washer and Dryer
Comments (5)The fact that " clothes come out steaming, still damp, and the temperature is HOT!" indicates you have no airflow. This is why the hi-temp cutout keeps popping. It's doing it's job. It could be that your filter is clogged and just needs to be scrubbed clean with soap and water. Try cleaning it 1st. If that doesn't work try diconnecting the vent and run the dryer for one load. You will want to open a window because it will put a lot of moisture in the laundry room. If the clothes dry ok you know you have a vent problem. If the clothes are still hot and wet you may have a blower problem . Try these before calling for a tech...See MoreAny Familiarity With Condensation Dryer?
Comments (2)I have a free-standing (i.e. non-combo) Asko condensation dryer. I've had it about 15 years and it is my only dryer. However, I do not dry my laundry in a dryer, I hang it out, so my dryer gets very little use compared to what most people would need. I mostly use the dryer for an initial 5-15 min tumble prior to hanging out and and on rare occasions when weather foils my need to get a particular load dry. This is more frequently in the summer, oddly enough, even though I live in a very cold northern area. Condensation dryers do work as claimed, but I would never choose one if direct venting was possible because I think they are less efficient than conventional models. Since you can't direct vent, that's a moot point. When I use the machine in the winter time (in a generally cooler than normal, woodheated - and therefore very dry farmhouse in northern NY) I don't see much degradation of efficiency because the ambient air is dry and cool, which improves the effectiveness of the condensation function. My machine also raises (by a modest, but measurable amount) the indoor relative humidity, and to some degree the indoor air temp during operation. But that's just fine in the winter, and I really appreciate not blowing my heated air out of the house as I would with a conventional dryer. However, that's not germane to your situation, of course. In the summer when I use the dryer (and that's usually on hot, rainy days when something I need to wear won't dry outdoors), the dryer is more problematical. Condenser dryers work by having double air paths. They have a "normal one" that enters the machine, is heated and then passes through the drum with the clothes, collecting moisture and carrying it off, just like a standard dryer. When that air is drawn out of the chamber, however, it passes across the plates of the condenser where the moist, heated air is cooled and relieved of most (but obviously not all to a perfect scientific degree) of the moisture it's carrying as it condenses on the metal plates in the condenser. The air then is discharged into the room and the resulting condensed water is pumped to a reservoir. The condenser itself has room air drawn through it in a sealed, separate, path which keeps the condenser surfaces cooler so that when the warm, moist air passes over it the water vapor it is carrying is released. (Think of how your glass of ice-cold soda -the condensation plane- gathers so much moisture on a hot day.) That's the theory, anyway. Where I can get into problems is when the ambient room temperature rises high enough, say 80+F, (whether due just a hot day, or continual drying if I accidentally leave the door to the laundry room closed) so that the temperature differential between the heated air path through the drum and the natural air temp through the condenser gets too close. Then little condensation occurs, even though the machine is running correctly. Also in a closed space such as closet, you might run into problems if the machine caused a small but steady rise in humidity. You would in effect be constantly re-condensing the same moisture out. I think the ideal situation for a condenser dryer would be in cool, and very dry climate. Then they would work like demons. If you air condition your home (and remove humidity that way) you will have less functional problems with a condenser dryer than I do on a hot, humid, but un-air conditioned day in Aug. in NY. However, you will put a small, but probably measurable increased load on your A/C to remove the fugitive humidity from the machine and any increase in room temp. The only other thing to report is that you must periodically remove and clean off the condenser unit to remove any fugitive lint or pet fur that has evaded the lint filters. My machine's manual says once every six months, but I've found that it's more like once every 10 loads, alas. This is by far the nastiest, slimy, gross job in my household and I simply hate it! However, other users of condenser machines on this forum report much less cleaning is needed and when necessary it's nowhere near as onerous. So, this may be a peculiarity of my particular machine, or model, or even my usage patterns. I hope I haven't discouraged you, too much. In a situation like yours you may have no choice if you can't dry clothes any other way. And a condenser dryer is definitely much better than collecting the moisture in a free-standing bucket. It will have drawer in the front which will make removing the condensate very easy. (Some con. dryers will also allow direct draining through the washing machine stand pipe. Don't know about that for Axxis.) Axxis machines are very nice, but IIRC they need 220V power. That's not a bad thing in my mind, as that gives them really good cleaning power from powerful internal heaters. My own washing machines are all 220V models and I would never have anything less. I would ask the dealer if he can give you the names of other users in your area that you could call and ask about how the machines work in your climate. I would be glad to come on an all-expenses paid trip to assess the location for you. How does January sound; it's really grim here in January and Mauai would be much better! Heck, I'd even ship my own machine out with me for a few tests runs. (LOL - I always get a little panic-y the first morning I wake up and see frost outside like this morning; I grew up in South America and Asia.) I hope this helps you make your decision. I suppose there's no way you can line dry? I found one of the best things about living in the tropics was great drying weather year-round except, of course, in the rainy season! No place is perfect, I guess. Molly~ PS: In evaluating condenser dryers keep in mind that "combo units" i.e. ones with a single drum where both washing, and then, drying takes place are very different things from free-standing (or stackable) units. Having a single drum makes things very complicated, and usually you can wash twice much as you can dry in a combo unit making for some awkwardness in load planning. A free-standing/stackable set like the Axxis will wash and dry the same sized loads, and work simultaneously, so your second load is in the wash while the first is drying. PS 2: You also might want to look at Asko brand machines if they are available to you, though the Bosch machines are nice, too....See MoreCondenser Dryer - Best Practices
Comments (2)The air that is sucked in through the front is blown through the condener and then dispersed inside the cabinet until it finds some way out - mostly through the slits in the back panel of the dryer. The air that actually dries the clothes (process air) never leaves the dryer. Increasing efficiency is only possible by keeping the filter and the condenser clean. You don't want the condenser to get clogged but it doesn't have to be sparkling, either... cleaning every couple of months is fine. The cooler the intake air, the faster the dryer will work....See More
rococogurl
9 years agolarsi_gw
9 years ago
claybabe
9 years ago
PROJoe Henderson
9 years agorococogurl
9 years ago
whirlpool_trainee
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoclaybabe
9 years agoUser
9 years agoDon
9 years agoUser
9 years agotwitchej
7 years ago
Related Stories
BATHROOM DESIGNPut the Kibosh on Hair Dryer Chaos
Fed up with knocked-over blowers and tangled cords? Try these tactics for keeping hair dryers and other styling tools under control
Full Story
LANDSCAPE DESIGNDitch the Ordinary Ditch: Create a Realistic Dry Creek Bed
Here’s how to turn your water runoff system into an eye-catching accent for your landscape
Full Story
GARDENING GUIDESHow to Keep Your Citrus Trees Well Fed and Healthy
Ripe for some citrus fertilizer know-how? This mini guide will help your lemon, orange and grapefruit trees flourish
Full Story
FEEL-GOOD HOMEThe Well-Stocked Minimalist
The trick is to have just enough of the right stuff at home — no more, no less. Here’s how to do it
Full Story
LAUNDRY ROOMSA Kitchen Laundry Cabinet Full of Surprises
A little DIY spirit allowed this homeowner to add a washer, dryer, kitchen countertop and dining table all in one
Full Story
REMODELING GUIDESContractor Tips: Advice for Laundry Room Design
Thinking ahead when installing or moving a washer and dryer can prevent frustration and damage down the road
Full Story
LAUNDRY ROOMSYour Guide to a Beautiful, Efficient Laundry Room
Whether you’re renovating or you just need a fresh approach to the wash-dry-fold cycle, here’s how to make laundry day easier — and even fun
Full Story
MUDROOMS4 High-Performing Mudroom Ideas
Looking for entryway ideas with plenty of storage? Here’s how to make hooks, cubbies and drawers look great
Full Story
BATHROOM DESIGNLovely Little Luxuries: Pamper Yourself With Towel Warmers
Heat your robes, dry delicates and wet mittens — with these warmers around, toasty treats go beyond just towels
Full Story
MOST POPULAR10 Smart Ideas for Your Laundry Room Remodel
Make washing and drying easier and more comfortable by considering ergonomics, storage and special features
Full Story
claybabeOriginal Author