Washer and Drier - Together or Seperate?

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645 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2609166 23-Nov-2020 15:31

These are my thoughts from having a condensing Bosch washer+dryer. I think LG does a heatpump washer/dryer which may perform the drying part better?

Pros:

Single appliance
Can wash + dry in 1 cycle
Ok for occasional drying cycle

Cons:

Drying cycle is slow
Clothes can come out feeling hot + damp
Often drying cycle uses more water than during wash
There is no lint trap, machine will eventually clog up

If you are solely going to dry your clothes in an appliance, get separate machines if you can.

rp1790

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#2609171 23-Nov-2020 15:37

I have a Samsung washer/drier in one unit. It works for me as it doesn't need venting and it's good not to have to take things out of the washer when finished and put them in a separate dryer. The down side is the dryer doesn't work as well as a dedicated machine (of course). But I just extend the drying until done.

MikeAqua

7785 posts

Uber Geek

#2609282 23-Nov-2020 16:47

Nate001:

I think LG does a heatpump washer/dryer which may perform the drying part better?

Just had a quick google and couldn't find it. Do you have a link?

Mike

Rikkitic

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#2609311 23-Nov-2020 18:27

PolicyGuy:

Another advantage of separates is that you can have one load in the washer an another in the dryer at the same time

Only if your power can handle the load. I'm pretty sure it would pop the fuses at our place, and probably melt the wiring as well.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

alasta

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#2609317 23-Nov-2020 18:39

Thanks everyone for your input. I think you've confirmed what I was thinking - buy a standalone drier if possible. The washing machine is currently in storage so I will have a look at it over the weekend to ensure that it has the right screw holes for the stacking kit.

I am quite interested in the heat pump driers. They are a lot more expensive but the power savings appear to be substantial so with frequent use I think it will make a decent economic case.

PolicyGuy

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#2609474 23-Nov-2020 21:42

Rikkitic:

PolicyGuy:

Another advantage of separates is that you can have one load in the washer an another in the dryer at the same time

Only if your power can handle the load. I'm pretty sure it would pop the fuses at our place, and probably melt the wiring as well.

All the appliances I've ever looked at use a standard 10A plug, and are usually rated well under 2kW - 1800W seems typical for a drier, a washing machine quite a bit less - 800W to 1200W according to https://www.rpc.com.au/information/faq/power-consumption/washing-machines.html, both peaking together in total 2600W to 3000W
The washing machine would only be drawing this maximum current when it's speeding up the drum in the beginning of a spin dry, otherwise it'll be much less

So, running both a drier and a washing machine off the same plugboard (hint: DO NOT EVER do this) probably would pop the 10A breaker. Running both off the same dual-outlet socket should be OK as they would be drawing about 15A and the circuit would be fused at 20A unless there is something dodgy going on.

If running a drier and a washing machine really would "pop the fuses", I reckon your electrics need some expert care & attention.
Just my $0.02

disillusioned

34 posts

Geek

#2609478 23-Nov-2020 21:56

alasta:
I am quite interested in the heat pump driers. They are a lot more expensive but the power savings appear to be substantial so with frequent use I think it will make a decent economic case.

Don't be so sure about the heat pump dryer. From Consumer:

We plotted the average life-cycle cost over 10 years for the top-performing models in each category. The result’s a bit grim for heat pump dryers, with 383 loads required every year to make them a better option than condenser models.

The numbers are even more daunting if your house is suitable for a vented dryer. You’ll need to dry 549 loads a year to make heat pump dryers cheaper to buy and run than vented models.

Running more than once a day is unlikely for perhaps anyone but the biggest of families?

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kiwigander

231 posts

Master Geek

#2609480 23-Nov-2020 22:00

"Running both off the same dual-outlet socket should be OK as they would be drawing about 15A and the circuit would be fused at 20A unless there is something dodgy going on."

No. The circuit will be fused at 20A or 16A depending on how the cabling is run, but the powerpoint is rated at 10A total and will not withstand this treatment.

(edited for HTML code error)

Scott3

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#2609533 23-Nov-2020 22:19

kiwigander:

"Running both off the same dual-outlet socket should be OK as they would be drawing about 15A and the circuit would be fused at 20A unless there is something dodgy going on."

No. The circuit will be fused at 20A or 16A depending on how the cabling is run, but the powerpoint is rated at 10A total and will not withstand this treatment.

(edited for HTML code error)

The majority of households in NZ run a dryer and a washer off a double power outlet without issue, myself included.

It seems to be unclear if 10A rated multi socket outlets can draw that per outlet or total for the fixture, just did some digging in a Schneider catalog, and they offer a 3x10A + 1x15A power outlet fixture, described in a way that clearly indicates that they can be used simultaneously (obviously restricted by whatever circuit breaker exists to protect the household wiring)

https://download.schneider-electric.com/files?p_Doc_Ref=NVM600SERIES&p_File_Ext=.pdf

Scott3

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#2609537 23-Nov-2020 22:22

Big question is can you vent a vented dryer outside or into the buildings extraction ducting?

Note that heat pump dryers are seriously heavy, may not be able to find one that is stack-able. They are also reviewed as begin slow compared to vented dryers.

richms

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#2609549 23-Nov-2020 23:09

PolicyGuy:

All the appliances I've ever looked at use a standard 10A plug, and are usually rated well under 2kW - 1800W seems typical for a drier, a washing machine quite a bit less - 800W to 1200W according to https://www.rpc.com.au/information/faq/power-consumption/washing-machines.html, both peaking together in total 2600W to 3000W
The washing machine would only be drawing this maximum current when it's speeding up the drum in the beginning of a spin dry, otherwise it'll be much less

So, running both a drier and a washing machine off the same plugboard (hint: DO NOT EVER do this) probably would pop the 10A breaker. Running both off the same dual-outlet socket should be OK as they would be drawing about 15A and the circuit would be fused at 20A unless there is something dodgy going on.

If running a drier and a washing machine really would "pop the fuses", I reckon your electrics need some expert care & attention.
Just my $0.02

My washer uses the most while it is heating up, and thats 1800w peaks and about 1500 mostly, since its slowly turning when heating. Condenser dryer starts off at 2200 and quickly drops back to lower numbers as whats in it gets hot.

No dryers available locally are power hogs like the american ones are. Those are often 30A 230v appliances which I can only imagine smash out the drying in no time compared to the gutless ones here.

Richard rich.ms

Scott3

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#2609555 24-Nov-2020 00:15

richms:

My washer uses the most while it is heating up, and thats 1800w peaks and about 1500 mostly, since its slowly turning when heating. Condenser dryer starts off at 2200 and quickly drops back to lower numbers as whats in it gets hot.

No dryers available locally are power hogs like the american ones are. Those are often 30A 230v appliances which I can only imagine smash out the drying in no time compared to the gutless ones here.

You can get 20A 230v dryers here, but they are commercial focused and fairly rare in residential settings.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/home-living/laundry/dryers/listing/2870603374

Speedqueen also offer a home range in NZ, with they dryers being 20amp electric or gas. Here is the spec sheet for their stacked combo:

https://speedqueen.com/nz/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2019/01/Speed-Queen-ATEE9A-ATGE9A-Black-Stack-Washer-Dryer-1.pdf

I think it would be overkill for OP, but would be great for me (If I could justify the cost, plus having a sparky wire up a 20A socket for the dryer...) - Also would be getting worryingly close to blowing the 60A (I think) pole fuse if I tried to dry, cook dinner and heat all at the same time...

But yeah, used a residential gas dryer in the USA. Big & Fast compared to anything I have used in a residential setting here.

Rikkitic

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#2609565 24-Nov-2020 07:53

PolicyGuy:

All the appliances I've ever looked at use a standard 10A plug, and are usually rated well under 2kW - 1800W seems typical for a drier, a washing machine quite a bit less - 800W to 1200W according to https://www.rpc.com.au/information/faq/power-consumption/washing-machines.html, both peaking together in total 2600W to 3000W
The washing machine would only be drawing this maximum current when it's speeding up the drum in the beginning of a spin dry, otherwise it'll be much less

So, running both a drier and a washing machine off the same plugboard (hint: DO NOT EVER do this) probably would pop the 10A breaker. Running both off the same dual-outlet socket should be OK as they would be drawing about 15A and the circuit would be fused at 20A unless there is something dodgy going on.

If running a drier and a washing machine really would "pop the fuses", I reckon your electrics need some expert care & attention.
Just my $0.02

It is dangerous to make assumptions based only on your own experience. Our old farmhouse is fused (old-fashioned wire fuses) at 15 amps for powerpoint circuits. It is never a good idea to run a total load close to the fused maximum, especially in an old place like this. I certainly would not want to try maxing it out.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

Nate001

645 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2609570 24-Nov-2020 08:13

MikeAqua:

Nate001:

I think LG does a heatpump washer/dryer which may perform the drying part better?

Just had a quick google and couldn't find it. Do you have a link?

They don't mention the fact its a heat pump, I don't know why as its a major selling point. I've seen one and the rating plate says it has R134a, meaning a compressor is present.

https://www.lg.com/nz/washing-machines/lg-SGTW171610H

alasta

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#2609579 24-Nov-2020 08:41

disillusioned:
Don't be so sure about the heat pump dryer. From Consumer:
We plotted the average life-cycle cost over 10 years for the top-performing models in each category. The result’s a bit grim for heat pump dryers, with 383 loads required every year to make them a better option than condenser models.

The numbers are even more daunting if your house is suitable for a vented dryer. You’ll need to dry 549 loads a year to make heat pump dryers cheaper to buy and run than vented models.

Running more than once a day is unlikely for perhaps anyone but the biggest of families?

My calculations suggest otherwise.

The LG condenser model apparently has a 2 star energy rating and the heat pump model is a 9 star. The Energywise web site suggests that the former would cost about $90 a year and the latter would cost $30 a year based on one load a week. I would probably do three loads a week which is a $180 a year saving, far exceeding the extra depreciation cost of the heat pump model.

I am concerned about the heat pump model being heavier and potentially not stackable so I will need to look into that.

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