Monthly Archives: December 2013

What Is a Ventless Dryer?

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A ventless dryer is similar to a conventional dryer, except that it does not require connecting it to a tube and venting the air outdoors. Rather, this type of appliance is able to dry your clothes using advanced condensation technologies. By heating the water remaining in the clothes, it turns into steam. The steam is released from the drum into a condenser. Within the condenser, the air is cooled so the steam turns back into water. The water is then pumped out of the dryer, much like the used wash water from your wash machine, and down the same discharge drain. Stand-alone or stacked models require the special larger 220 volt dryer cord and outlet. If you select a combination washer dryer model, then it uses a standard 3-prong household outlet and no special dryer cord or outlet is needed.

The type of condensation technology used within the ventless dryer is based upon whether it is an individual appliance or a combination appliance. Individual appliances typically use air-to-air condensation to dry your clothes, while combo models use cold water condensation. Air-to-air drying use two different air masses that are kept from mixing. One air mass is used to remove the moisture from the clothes, and the other cools the air to release the water inside the condenser. With a combination model, the air is cooled with cold water, rather than a second air mass. Both methods fully dry your clothes by extracting moisture during the drying cycle. It should be mentioned, this kind of drying does require slightly more time per cycle. But, thanks to energy-efficient designs, your dryer uses less electricity than a conventional vented dryer, even though it runs longer.

Limited Space? Consider a Compact Washer and Dryer for In-Home Laundry

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Limited Space? Consider a Compact Washer and Dryer for In-Home Laundry

Any time you lack sufficient space in your home, apartment, or condominium, you still have options for adding in-home laundry and eliminating trips to your local laundromat. If you have access to a utility room or other storage location with a minimum of 26 inches of width, 70 inches of height, and 50 inches of depth space, you have room to add a stackable compact washer and ventless dryer. These are two separate appliances, where the dryer is placed on top of the washer. If you have additional space, you could choose to place the appliance side-by-side instead.

Another option, if you lack the necessary clearance for a stackable compact washer and dryer, is to consider a combination all-in-one model. This appliance incorporates both the washing and ventless drying functions into a single machine. The types of connections required for a stackable and combination model are access to hot and cold water lines and a discharge water drain, 3-prong standard household outlet, and a special 220 volt dryer outlet for stacked models.

For homes without a utility room or available space, a combination washer dryer may be more beneficial, because you have the ability to convert it into a portable unit where you can roll it right up to your kitchen sink to do laundry. All that is required to make the conversion is a wheel kit and kitchen faucet kit. The washer obtains hot and cold water right from the faucet and pumps discharge water right down the sink drain.

How Does a Ventless LG Dryer Dry Clothes?

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LG offers two different dryer options for ventless drying. One option is found with their combination washer and dryer models. This single appliance not only dries your clothes using a condensing drying system, but also washes them. Drying cycles utilize cold water condensation technology by first using heat to draw moisture from the clothing, while recycling the hot air back into the drum. During this process, the moisture that is removed is cooled with cold water in a condenser so it turns back into water. The water is then drained through the same discharge hose used for the washing cycle to remove water from the appliance. This process repeats itself until your clothes are dried.

The other method used to dry clothes using a ventless LG dryer is air to air condensation drying. This method is typically found in both side-by-side and stackable stand-alone models. Drying cycles rely upon two different air circulation systems. One is for drying the clothes, while the other is for cooling heated air and releasing moisture by turning it back into water. The two air circulation systems are separate so the heated air and the cooled air never actually mix together. Rather, the heated air is recycled back through the drum to continue to remove moisture, and then cycled through a heat exchanger or condenser. At the same time, cooler air is drawn in from the room and cycled through a different section of the condenser. As the air is cooled in the condenser, it turns into water, where it is removed from the dryer by pumping it out of the appliance down a discharge drain.

Get Cleaner Clothes While Saving Energy with a Washer and Dryer in One

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Get Cleaner Clothes While Saving Energy with a Washer and Dryer in One

A front loading washer and dryer in one provides more effective cleaning and rinsing of your clothes, as well as increases how long your clothes last, compared to traditional top loading machines. Because the clothes are lifted in and out of the water hundreds of times during the wash cycle, this action helps remove dirt while being gentler on your clothing. Additionally, a LG combo unit goes through three rinses on the regular wash cycle to eliminate any detergent residue ordinarily left in your clothing when washed in a top loading model.

A washer and dryer in one operates slightly differently than conventional laundry pairs. The entire wash and dry cycle takes approximately 2 ½ to 3 hours to complete. While this amount of time is similar to conventional pairs, both cycles are completed in a single appliance. As a result, it is recommended you adjust your laundry habits, such as doing one load per day or every other day, instead of attempting to complete all of your laundry in a single day.

Another difference is how your clothes are dried. With a combination appliance, the drying cycle is completely ventless. This means you do not need to connect the dryer to a separate dryer vent. Rather, the unit uses a condensing drying system to extract moisture and pump it down the water discharge drain. Because ventless dryers require no vent, it is normal for them to run for a longer period of time than a conventional dryer. Even though the drying cycle requires an increased amount of time, it uses two-thirds less energy than a standard vented dryer. 

Include a Stacked Washer and Ventless Dryer in Your Floor Plans

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Incorporating in-home laundry into new building plans is a challenge, when working with conventional laundry pairs. Part of the problem stems from having to satisfy building codes and regulations, in regards to dryer venting. Vents are limited in length, or have to be connected to an expensive central chase. Further, there are additional restrictions for running venting around corners. Other issues with venting include the buildup of lint over time and increasing fire hazard risks. As a result, property insurance premiums are often higher in newer buildings with dryer venting.

One way to help eliminate the additional costs associated with including in-home laundry, as well as maintaining control over your floor plans, is to use a stacked LG washer and ventless dryer, or a combination model. Both options eliminate installing dryer venting, because the dryers utilize ventless drying technologies. You are free to decide on the exact location of the laundry room and are not limited to the common 12 foot requirement with conventional dryers. The laundry room could be in the middle of the floor plan, or in locations where it does not reduce the space of other rooms in the home.

There are some basic connections required, whether you decide on a stacked washer dryer or a combination unit. Washers and ventless dryers do need access to a discharge drain. The washer also has to be connected to hot and cold water supply lines. Stacked models require access to a 220V outlet and special plug. Combination units and washers need access to a standard 110V three prong outlet. Fortunately, all of these connections are not expensive to include in your floor plans.

How to Pair New LG Washers with Dryers

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How to Pair New LG Washers with Dryers

You need to compare the capacities of new LG washers to verify they are suitable for your dryer. One mistake people can make is to purchase a large capacity washing machine, and then have a smaller capacity dryer. In this situation, you would not be able to dry a full load of clothes and would have to break the load up into two smaller loads, for your dryer to be effective. For example, purchasing a 25 pound large capacity washer does not make sense when your dryer’s maximum capacity is only 16 pounds of clothes per load.

A better way to pair new LG washers is to look for models that either match the capacity of your dryer, or which are slightly under the maximum amount. You should also look for washers which can extract the most water from the clothes during the final spin cycle. By removing the majority of the water during the wash cycle, your dryer has to use less energy to fully dry the clothes. Ideally, washers need to reach spin speeds ranging from 1,000 to 1,200 RPMs, or more, to remove the most water.

Other features to look for in a new washer are those which provide energy savings. Front loading machines use less water per cycle than conventional top loading models. Instead of using 40 to 60 gallons, you can cut this down to 12 to 15, with efficient LG models. Because you are using less water, you also reduce the amount of energy used by your hot water heater, for cycles where you use warm or hot water to wash your clothes.

A Holiday Present for the Entire Family is a New LG Washer Dryer Combo

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An all-in-one LG washer and dryer is an ideal present for the holidays for your family when you need a new washer and dryer. During this time of year, it is possible to find discounted prices and other incentives, like free shipping, for purchasing a new appliance for your home. This combination unit incorporates both washing and drying features into a single appliance, so it eliminates having to spend money on two separate appliances.

For homes, apartments, and condos lacking a laundry room, an all-in-one LG washer and dryer is perfect. With a few simple modifications to the appliance, you are able to convert it into a portable unit where no washer or dryer connections are required. Instead, the unit has a wheel kit added to the bottom to make it easy to roll around and move up to your kitchen sink. With the kitchen sink conversion kit, the hot and cold water lines and the discharge hose are connected directly to a single piece which snaps on and off your kitchen faucet.

Any time you want to do a load of laundry, you plug the unit into a standard household three-prong outlet, connect the adapter to the faucet, and turn the water on. Now, you load your clothes into the machine, select your cycles, add detergent, fabric softener and bleach, and start the cycle. Typical cycle times range from 2 ½ to 3 hours per load of laundry. After your cycle is completed, you turn off the water, disconnect the adapter from the sink, unplug it from the outlet, and roll it out of the way.