Ventless dryer or combo unit?

7 years ago

Sorry for the long setup, here is my situation. We've bought a true log cabin in the mountains, just over an hour north of us. I added the true log descriptor as it makes a difference in being able to do renovations, specifically cutting a hole to add a vent for new dryer location.

We don't live there now, but are planning on retiring up there in the next year or two. The property has a main house with a standard laundry set up and a detached garage with an apartment above. Currently we are going up for weekends and such and are stripping beds and bringing all linens and towels to wash and dry and take back next visit. Kind of a pain. However, we don't want to buy a new set just to end up with a complete set we won't need when we sell this place.

Our hope is to offer the apartment over the garage as a vacation rental. A second way to wash and dry over in that building would be a bonus. The problem being there is really not a space for it in the apartment so it would need to go down in a closet off the garage. Good news is we have water and power right there but no way to vent without a huge expense of designing a way to vent from an interior closet and cutting through the actual log walls which is generally frowned upon. So I was thinking of going with a ventless unit. I could put it in the existing laundry room for now and then when we move up there permanently I could have it moved over to the detached garage and could be used just for the sheets and such for the little apartment and have our main units do the heavy lifting.

The closet in the garage is only 42 inches wide so I'd have to do a stackable ventless or a combo unit, no room for a side by side there. I kind of like the idea of being able to toss the load of sheets in and not having to go back and forth to move to a dryer since I won't be in a big hurry.

Thoughts?

Featured Answer

Alex Chicago

7 years ago

I have the Miele LiGi condensing dryer in our master bath, which is not big by any standard. With the door and window closed and no exhaust fan running, it will have raised the temperature in the room 10-15F by the end of the cycle. Of course, this isn't how I run it unless it's the dead of winter and I really *want* to raise the temperature! The exhaust fan handles most of the heat, as does opening a window. The effect on humidity is negligible.

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Comments (8)

enduring
7 years ago
People have liked condensing dryers. All euro sets have gone to that, I believe. Electrolux compact set has a condensing dryer. They don't need vents.
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practigal
7 years ago
I have read that condensing dryers can increase the temp in the surrounding room...would someone who owns one comment on its effect on humidity in the surrounding room?
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You can't go wrong with Miele. Their condenser dryers work just as well and as fast as their vented models. You might also want to look at the Bosch Axxis line of laundry appliances. My MIL has had an Axxis laundry pair with a condenser dryer for about 3-1/2 years. She's been very pleased. A couple of things you might want to consider before going with a combo machine. Typically, you can only dry loads that are half the size of a maximum wash load. That means if the machine can accommodate a 12 lb. wash load, you'll only be able to dry 6 lbs (dry laundry) at one time. You'll either have to remove half the wet wash load before starting the dry cycle, or you'll be limited to half-size wash loads if you want the machine to automatically switch to the drying cycle after the wash cycle. Be sure to ask about this when buying and consult the owner's manual. Salesmen are notorious for forgetting to mention this little detail. Also, the combo machines generally aren't as fast at drying a load as a stand-alone condenser dryer. Some can take up to twice as long. And finally, if you typically wash multiple loads in succession, doing laundry with a combo machine will take you much longer. You won't be able to move a load of washed laundry from the washer to the dryer, then start a new load of wash while the first load is drying. You'll have to wait for the first load to wash AND dry before you can start a second load. Hope this helps.
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mfrog
7 years ago
I have the Elux 24" set with a condensing dryer. It's true that it does heat the space somewhat but I don't find it is overwhelming. But in the summer when it's warm I find that I dry things a little bit just to get the wrinkles out & then hang everything to dry. Doesn't bother me in the least but it might bother others who want their clothes absolutely dry when they come out of the dryer.
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tombsc
7 years ago
I have a Bosch 24" condenser dryer and like it a lot. I have it in a closet in a spare bedroom I use as a home office. In the summer it makes the room somewhat warmer but it's not unbearable and I have not noticed a difference in my electric bill for any extra AC that might be needed.
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Annette Holbrook(z7a)
Original Author
7 years ago
I just did a bit of measuring up at the cabin. It looks like I could also fit a combo unit in the walk in closet which is in the bathroom. I doubt guests would need to wash clothes while here for a weekend but if for some reason they did would it be a problem if they also have their clothes hanging in the closet while the unit is running?
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practigal
7 years ago
So long as it isn't blocking the air intake, no. I would look at the installation instructions. Usually when a dryer is in a closet, the closet door needs to be louvered or have airflow. My concern in your application was not so much the heat, but the humidity as humidity could make mold grow on wood. So far no one seems to have an issue with humidity...
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mfrog
7 years ago
My humistat sometimes comes on when my dryer is running. I think if the closet door is closed while the unit is running it could be somewhat humid in the closet. I've never closed the closet door while doing laundry so I can't say for sure but my closet is also my drying rack & I don't have a problem, all my clothes that I hang to dry are fine. And I do live in a very humid place, in the middle of a rainforest. I think it would be fine, especially for a cottage.
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Ventless dryer or combo unit?

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enduring

practigal

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Ventless dryer or combo unit?

Alex Chicago

Comments (8)

enduring

practigal

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