Ventless Drying - The New Standard of Efficiency

Home Appliance Efficiency Hits and Misses

2010-10-05T16:07:00.000-07:00

In 1937, when being green had more to do with envy than the environment, a group of engineers at Bendix Home Appliances invented the first automatic front loading washing machine. Unlike the top loading basin and wringer washers of the time, the new Bendix used significantly less water and utilized a high speed water-extracting spin cycle.

The success of the new concept washer vaulted Bendix Home Appliances to the top of the appliance heap; peaking in 1950 when Bendix commanded an industry-leading $12 million in sales. However, the success of the Bendix washer was short-lived.

Soon other appliance manufacturers introduced cheaper top loading machines that were less efficient and offered a lower price tag. With modern aqueducts bringing copious amounts of water to the west and powerful new clothes dryers available in most new homes, water use and drying time no longer significantly impacted consumer purchasing decisions.

The United States paid a price environmentally when it abandoned front loading washers in the 1960s. While European appliance manufactures worked to improve the efficiency of horizontal washers, the U.S. residential washing machine market became dominated by top loading machines for over three decades.

New ENERGY STAR clothes washer initiatives in the 1990s finally brought change the appliance industry. Through partnerships with manufacturers and financial incentives for research and development, ENERGY STAR, was able to persuade major appliance makers to redesign, retool and ultimately manufacture a new generation of front loading machines. However, not all ENERGY STAR initiatives have been so successful.

From the beginning, ENERGY STAR allowed appliance manufactures to self test, report and regulate, with predictably poor results. For example, separate efficiency standards for different refrigerator configurations have enabled manufactures to produce side-by-side models that are a significantly less efficient than similar-sized bottom-mount freezer models. Additionally, large 36” inch professional-style refrigerators have been given the ENERGY STAR seal of approval even though they consume an average of 600 KWh of electricity annually.

Cheating has also been a problem. In September 2008, a test by Consumer Reports Magazine found that LG’s French door refrigerator energy usage was 100% higher than what was listed on the government-mandated DOE yellow sticker adhered to the product. LG subsequently apologized for the mishap, paid a fine to the DOE and reimbursed consumers who purchased the product. And although the fridge was not ENERGY STAR rated, it nevertheless demonstrates that some manufactures can’t be trusted to test and publish accurate efficiency data.

Separately, Consumers Reports found that energy efficiency data reported on many refrigerators did not include the use of through-door ice and water dispensers. Assuming that most consumers use this feature, Consumer Reports did efficiency testing with through-door system in operation. The tests showed that the refrigerator models used hundreds more kilowatts of electricity annually than was reported on the yellow energy sticker. Consumer Reports concluded, “if the refrigerators are used as intended, the owners won't save as much electricity as they were led to believe when they purchased the appliance.”

Moving forward:

With the exception of clothes washing machines, ENERGY STAR has failed to systematically change efficiency standards within the appliance industry. ENERGY STAR’s decision to hand efficiency standard development and testing over to manufactures is akin to asking high school students to assign their own homework and grade their own final exams. The results have been predictably below expectations.

If greater efficiency is to be achieved, ENERGY STAR must set its own high standards and challenge appliance manufactures to rise above the bar. In addition, oversight must be done by third party laboratories that don’t have a vested interest in fudging results to meet a desired standard. There are numerous testing facilities that are equipped to test appliances including safely certification firms such as UL and ETL.

New advancements exist that can greatly reduce energy consumption, including advanced insulation for refrigerators and ovens, and more efficient heating elements for cooking appliances and clothes dryers. The technology exists but only ENERGY STAR has the power to push it to market.

The Top 10 Laundry Advertisements of All Time

2010-09-22T14:09:00.000-07:00

Their catch phrases are as recognizable as the brands they tout; all - tempa – Cheer, the lonely Maytag repairman and the unmistakable laugh of the Snuggle fabric softener bear. The creators of these ads were given the task of taking everyday laundry products and making them memorable. Here are some of the best laundry advertisements of all time.

10. Calgon – Ancient Chinese Secret: This memorable 1970s ad shows how an ancient Chinese secret (otherwise known as Calgon) gets laundry exceptionally clean.

9. Ariston Aqualtis - While Ariston is not a big name in North America, this ad that ran in Europe and Asia is one of the most inventive washing machine ads ever produced.

8. Bounce Fabric Softener – Using a classic 1980s hit song, this ad will surely bring back memories.

7. Cheer-– Set to the song Sweet Lovin Man, this ad is one of most memorable commercials of the 1990s.

6. Clorox – This Clorox bleach commercial traces the history of laundry from the time of the wringer washer to today’s high tech front loaders.

5. Thor – It’s safe to say that few people living today will remember this advertisement. This Thor ad is the first known laundry machine ad in existence. It originally ran in 1909.

4. Bendix- This Bendix ad ushered in the new era of automatic front loading washers

3. Maytag – A list of the best laundry ads wouldn’t be complete without Ol’ Lonely, the Maytag repairman.

2. Snuggle – The iconic Snuggle fabric softener bear is featured in this 1984 classic.

1. Tide – A classic 1971 Tide ad temps a shopper with an offer that, as it turns out, she can refuse.

Sleep Tight - - Washing Away the Bedbug Outbreak

2010-09-03T10:29:00.000-07:00

Once famous only in nursery rhyme lore, the little bloodsucking insects known as bedbugs are making a comeback in many North American cities. Even the finest five star New York City hotels have seen outbreaks this summer and according to recent scientific studies, the U.S. bedbug population has increased 500 percent in just the past three years.

Although called bedbugs, the tiny six-legged insect can infest more than just bedroom sheets. Bedbugs are commonly found in clothing, upholstery, linens and even carpeting. And while not known to transmit disease, the thought of mixing company with bedbugs is enough to creep out even the most hardened entomologist.

Bedbugs, a common household pest for centuries, were all but eliminated in the 1950s due to the widespread use of the insect-killing chemical DDT. But when DDT was outlawed in the 1972 due to its toxicity to wildlife, the bugs began their comeback by developing resistance to less effective DDT replacements. The most recent outbreak of the itchy welt-inducing insect is the worst in over fifty years.

Thankfully, most bedbug infestations can still be eliminated without the use of harsh chemicals. Hot water above 113 degrees Fahrenheit kills bedbugs on contact and is the best and safest way to eliminate the pests on sheets and clothing. Carpet and upholstery infestation still requires a professional pest control service.

Although more energy efficient, cold water wash cycles lack the punch needed to kill most bacteria and insects that can live on towels and bedding. Sheets and bathroom towels should always be washed in hot water, while clothing can be washed in warm/cold unless bedbugs or other infestation is suspected. School-aged children's clothing is always more susceptible to lice, fleas and other bugs, as kids tend to share close quarters and are more likely to come in contact with sand and dirt.

Modern washing machines and washer dryer combos have a hot water setting for most cycles and laundry can be soaked in hot water if extra protection is desired. Additionally, water heater temperature controls can be turned up to exceed the bug-killing 113 degree threshold. If you live with young children, turning up your water heater can be a scalding hazard, so be sure to check to see that the temperature setting not scalding hot.

While the bedbug outbreak is creepy and unsettling, itchy bedbug bites typically disappear within a few days without incident. And with a little hot water prevention, you will sleep tight and…..well, you know the rest.

Sport Utility Dryers (SUDs), and Washers Too

2010-08-13T21:19:00.000-07:00

They’re the Hummers of the laundry machine world. The 16 beach towels, 18 blue jeans, 55 hand towels and 274 underpants washing and drying behemoths. They’re the new breed of laundry machines dubbed the Sport Utility Dryers (SUDs) – and washers too.

The new laundry machine arms race that created SUDs began about a decade ago. Spurred by new government efficiency standards, appliance manufactures abandoned decades old top loading washers and began to produce more efficient front-loading laundry appliances. But unlike front loading machines available in Europe and Asia, the new North American version of the front loader was bigger and seemingly growing larger each model year.

The 2010 and new 2011 washer and dryers are the biggest of the bunch, with dimensions and load sizes that dwarf those manufactured just a few years ago. But with all the girth of these new models, SUDs are rarely used to their capacity.

In fact, a typical SUD washes and dries less than 50% of their total capacity per load. So although these massive laundry machines are ENERGY STAR rated when utilized at maximum capacity, most of the water and electrical savings are wasted on smaller loads.

But there’s more than just capacity to these monsters of the laundry room. If size doesn’t provide the bragging rights you’re looking for, speed will surely have your friends green with envy. In the quest for fastest load time, some laundry sets, such as the new Electrolux super capacity washer and dryer, boast total load times of a mere 36 minutes. That’s 36 minutes split between a turbo charged wash cycle and a dry cycle with enough scorching heat to shrink an extra large cotton wife beater into an infant’s onesie.

Like the expanding size of the automobile in the last decade, SUDs are bound to reach their limit in the near future. With the crash of the housing market and the price of utilities pushing skyward, consumers are downsizing their lives and looking for more efficient ways to conserve space and energy.

Unless you’re into having the biggest laundry appliance on the block, there are other washers and dryers that take up less room, are gentler on clothing and actually get clothing clean and dry without excessive heat and pounding.

New compact washers and ventless dryers now offer the convenience of a complete laundry set, without the hassle of a dryer vent. For small homes and lofts, all-in-one washer dryer combos provide even further installation options that include under-counter in a kitchen or in an extra closet. Ventless dryers also offer the big energy savings advantage of being up 60% more efficient than their vented counterparts.

So if you don’t come from a family the size of the Brady Bunch, your best bet is to forgo the SUD and take a closer look at the more practical and energy efficient options available on the market today.

Tips for Avoiding the 10 Most Common Laundry Problems

2010-08-11T11:27:00.000-07:00

Note: The following post was originally distributed in the form of a press release. I have re-posted it here on Thor's blog site as well.

1.Detergent Overuse

As highlighted in a recent Wall Street Journal article, Americans continue to overuse laundry detergent. Detergent overuse not only shortens of the life of clothing, it can damage or even ruin a perfectly fine washing machine.

High levels of detergent can get trapped in fabric, making clothing appear dingy and faded. Inside your laundry machine, detergent residue gums up the inner workings of your washer, including the door gasket and drain system. In a washer dryer combo, suds from too much soap can accumulate in the condensing chamber, causing longer dry times.

The reason for detergent overuse is twofold. High efficiency washers of today use significantly less water (and therefore need less detergent) than the top loaders of an earlier era. While Americans are still getting used to new front load machines, they continue to measure detergent based on top load washers. Making matters worse, modern detergents are much more concentrated, which means that a little goes a long way.

Today, accurately measuring out laundry detergent is more important than ever. Be sure to read the detergent box to determine the correct amount of soap for your load size and water temperature.

2. Overloading

Even with the expanded capacity of modern washers and dryers, overloading continues to be a common problem. Unlike old tub-style top load washers which use an agitator to stir clothing clean, new front load machines clean by tumbling laundry. In order for front load washers to work properly, there must be room for the laundry to tumble. These washers should be loaded to about 3/4 of full capacity to allow the clothing to fall away from the drum during the wash cycle. An overfilled washer will result in poor cleaning results and wrinkled laundry.

3. Forgetting to Empty the Lint Filter

Forgetting to empty the lint screen not only creates longer dry times, it can be a potential fire hazard. When emptied after each cycle, lint filters eliminate the collection of gooey lint in vent line ducting. However, screens that are not cleaned regularly can cause potentially hazardous lint accumulation within the dryer housing.

A perfect kindling for a fire, lint that comes in contact with a dryer’s heating element has the potential to ignite. While newer dryers are designed to be less susceptible to fires, no dry system is completely immune from years of lint built up.

Take the time to empty the lint screen after each cycle and be sure to inspect old dryers for lint accumulation behind the filter and where the vent line exits the back of the machine.

4. Forgetting to Remove Packing Bolts

Front load washers use packing bolts to secure the machine’s suspension system during transportation. If the packing bolts are not removed before the washer is operated, the suspension system will not function and the machine will jump and vibrate. Be sure to refer to your user manual for directions on how to remove backing bolts. Also, remember to replace packing bolts if your washer is moved to a new location.

5. Not Using Fabric Softener

When most of us think of fabric softener, we think of soft fluffy towels or that snuggly little teddy bear. And while fabric softener can make your towels fluffy and your sweater soft, it also plays an important role in front load washer operation.

As mentioned earlier, front load washers tumble clothing during the wash cycle. In addition, they extract water by spinning laundry between rinses. The high speed spin of a front load washer can cause clothing to stick to the side of the drum, preventing them from tumbling freely during the rinse cycle. A small dose of fabric softener will help laundry fall away from the drum and ensure that clothing is rinsed properly.

If you are averse to using a scented fabric softener, there are many mild and unscented softeners on the market today.

6. Mixing Fabrics and Colors

As life gets more hectic, we’re all more apt to cut corners when it comes to laundry. This often results in tossing every color and fabric type in the washer and selecting a warm water wash. Mixing colors and fabrics can not only discolor clothing (e.g. the pink sock that used to be white), it can break down delicate fabrics.

Be sure to read the washing instructions on each garment and take a few extra minutes to sort laundry into white, colors and delicates. Not only will your clothes last longer, you won’t have to be seen with that embarrassing pink sock.

7. Shrinkage

For those who remember the classic Seinfeld episode dealing with the subject, shrinkage of the laundry variety can be a more permanent nuisance.

In a push for record breaking dry times, many appliance manufactures have turbo charged dry cycles with scorching heat and too often poor results. Excessive heat can ruin delicate clothing and significantly shrink cotton fabric. Hang drying garments in the spring and summer is a good way to save energy and avoid cotton shrinkage – and a quick five minute fluff in the dryer will release any wrinkles that may have developed while hang drying. In the cooler months, selecting a more moderate dry cycle will extend the life of clothing and keep shrinkage to a minimum.

8. Out of Balance Loads

Unless you live adjacent to a pile driving project, the sound of an out of balance washer is hard to mistake. While most modern washers have an automatic shut-off trigger that eliminates damage to the machine, the few seconds of earth shattering pounding is not something that can (or should) be ignored.

While reshuffling clothing will usually do the trick, larger blankets and bedding can be hard to balance, particularly if they’re too bulky to fit comfortably in your washing machine. The best way to avoid out of balance loads is to use an extra large washer at your neighborhood laundromat or have those bulky items professionally laundered.

9. Pens and Other Pocket Hazards

Long hailed as a nerdy fashion accessory, the pocket protector just might be the best defense against this next laundry mistake. That’s because one unsuspecting ballpoint pen left in a pocket can ruin an entire load of clothing.

If a single ink stain is tough to remove, image dozens on ink streaks scattered over an entire load of shirts and pants. The best way to avoid this disaster (other than the pocket protector idea) is to take the extra time to check each pocket for pens, gum, rocks or any other unfriendly item that may cause harm to your clothing or washer and dryer.

10. Leaky Hoses

A leaky or bursting washer hose can cause major water damage in a matter of minutes. Like any material, the rubber used in laundry hoses breaks down after years of use, particularly under high pressure. Thankfully there are a number of products on the market that can eliminate leaks before they become disasters.

The FloodStop system eliminates leaks at their source by combining a floor level moisture sensor with an automatic water shut-off value. In the event that water finds the floor-level sensor, FloodStop immediately shuts off the water by closing valves at the end of the hot and cold water spouts. In addition, an 87 db alarm sounds to alert the resident of the problem.

There are also many aftermarket multi-layered hoses that offer additional flood protection. One word of caution about aftermarket hoses; many European washing machines have custom hoses with a metric sized connection for the washer and a standard sized connection for the water input. In this case, you may need to stick with the stock hoses or search for a more customized hose option that blends metric and standard sizing.

Get a Load of This 100-Year-Old Washer

2010-08-09T08:54:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Thor Washing Machine! Before the LCD-enhanced washer dryer combos of today, Thor created the first commercially available washing machine. AOL News highlights Thor's 100th birthday.

Get a Load of This 100-Year-Old Washer

Five Most Common Misconceptions about Ventless Drying

2010-07-30T22:19:00.000-07:00

Although condensing dryer technology has been popular in Europe and Asia for many years, the ventless laundry concept here in North America has struggled to gain widespread appeal.

Americans were first introduced to ventless drying in the 1980s when European-made washer dryer combos began to appear on boats and recreational vehicles. These early ventless combos used an internal condensing system in which a narrow condensing chamber was attached to the outer washer drum. Due to their narrow dimensions and location adjacent to the warm drum, internal condensers were prone to lint and soap residue buildup, which over time resulted extended dry times.

Luckily, most new combination machines now use an external condenser, which is separated from the dryer drum and therefore offers much faster drying. In addition to washer dryer combinations, new stand-alone 220 volt ventless dryers use an entirely different heat-exchange system which works as a dehumidifier to dry clothing significantly faster. These new ventless dryers now offer dry times that rival standard vented dryers.

Despite these advances in condensing dryer technology, the following misconceptions still remain:

1. Condensing dryers take forever to dry

Early ventless dry systems from the 1980s took a long time to dry; in some cases over 2 ½ hours. Although newer condensing systems dry significantly faster, ventless dryers are still burdened with the reputation of slow dry times.

Modern washer dryer combo systems now dry clothing in about 90 minutes and the new stand-alone condensing dryers usually take 45 – 60 minutes for a full load. Combo machines typically operate on 110 volt power and utilize a small drum, which translates into slightly longer dry time compared to stand-alone 220 volt ventless or vented dryers.

2. Ventless dryers release moisture back into the surrounding room

Condensing dryers use a closed-loop system that removes dampness from the air using a dehumidifying process which does not release heat, lint or moisture into the surrounding room. Stand-alone ventless dryers release a small amount of dry air back into a room as a result of a heat-exchange system which uses air to cool an internal radiator.

3. All Condensing dryers are tiny

Ventless dryers now come in all sizes, from the smallest combo machine to a large stand-alone condensing system. Early combos typically found in boats and RVs were quite small compared to the expansive washers and dryers sold today. But technological advances have allowed ventless dryers to grow larger with time.

4. Ventless systems use more energy

Actually, the opposite is true - condensing systems use 50% - 70% less energy than standard vented dryers. Unlike vented dryers that continuously expel and reheat air, ventless closed-loop systems remove moisture and re-circulate warm dry air back into the dryer drum. The result is less stress on the dryer heating element and a more efficient way to dry clothing.

Another added benefit of condensing dryers relates to heating and air conditioning. In most parts of the world, a residence is heated in the winter by a furnace and cooled in the summer by an air conditioner. Vented dryers remove an average 200 cubic feet per minute of air from a surrounding room. That means that a HVAC system needs to work harder and use significantly more energy during vented dryer operation.

5. Ventless dryers don’t conform to building codes

The majority of ventless dryers on the market are UL or ETL approved, enabling them to meet building codes throughout the country. In addition to being approved under the International Building Code, many ventless models meet strict municipal codes that go above and beyond the ICB building requirements.

Eliminate the Laundry Slog

2010-07-21T20:54:00.000-07:00

My college experience was fairly typical; studying on the weeknights, parties on the weekends and laundry on Saturday mornings. In those days, my laundry slog involved dragging a massive mesh bag stuffed with clothing down two flights of stairs to the wash dungeon. Once inside the basement washing facility, rows of rickety washers and dryers churned and spun, filling the dank room with the smell of sweaty clothes, detergent and perfume-scented dryer sheets.

Thankfully, my laundry slog days are behind me. The convenience of owning an in-home laundry set makes dragging clothing to a shared laundry room seem less than desirable. Yet today, many mid to high end multi-family buildings offer only dorm-style shared laundry facilities to residents.

Survey results commissioned by leading developers have found in-unit laundry to be the most desired resident amenity. And other than the college crowd, who wants to put up with the inconveniences of a coin-op laundry room?

With condensing (ventless) laundry options now available, there’s no excuse not to add in-unit laundry to a new or existing development. Best of all, in-unit laundry pays for itself over time by increasing property values are rental rates.

Thor Appliance Company (www.ThorAppliances.com) offers a full line of washer dryer combos and stacking washers and ventless dryers that can be easily installed anywhere a water source, electrical connection and drain line are accessible. And the elimination of the dryer vent means that cumbersome vent duct installation and vent line maintenance are no longer an issue.

Today’s ventless laundry machines are not only more efficient than vented dryers; they also offer comparable dry times and are easier on clothing (for more details on ventless dryer technology, see the “Drying Old School” post).

If you’re a developer or property manager looking to upgrade to in-unit laundry, take a closer look at Thor’s line of compact washers and dryers. While we may never eliminate the need to wash and dry clothing, we can guarantee a shorter commute.

A Question of Service

2010-07-09T14:43:00.000-07:00

I received the following question today regarding Thor’s ventless dryer. Since many developers and architects may have similar questions and concerns, I feel that it’s worthy of a blog post. Please feel free to contact me directly at mlee@thorappliance.com with any follow-up questions.

Question:

If a Developer/Architects decides this is a good VE item, what happens when he has a failure of a dryer and needs to replace it. The concern I have would be two parts

Turn-Around time to to get the new dryer delivered and installed
Once the Owner has committed to this system and designs a building without accommodations for a standard “Vented” dryer, the only option is to stay with this product/manufacture for the life of the project or until the market has competitors.

Any thoughts on this?

Answer:

Thank you for your question. I understand your concerns.

Regarding the turn-around time for replacement or service; Thor keeps an inventory of all laundry machines and parts in our Los Angeles warehouse. In addition to our wholesale business, we also sell to retail customers – this requires that we keep a warehouse inventory. Thor ships products Mon-Fri and we can package and ship most parts and laundry machines within a day of order.

In Thor’s 25 years in business, we’ve built a service network of more than 500 independent service providers. Thor’s service manages, Rick Gale, has been with Thor for nearly 15 years and is an expert on all our products. He is a valuable resource to both our service providers and our customers.

You’re correct that once ventless laundry is installed, it’s difficult to change back to vented. It’s important that the builder and architect are familiar with our ventless dryers before they spec them into a project. That’s why I recommend that potential customers host a quick demonstration session and test a sample machine before making a decision.

From an end-user standpoint, ventless dryers work about the same as a vented dryer. Nevertheless, it’s important that all involved are comfortable with machines and we work hard to support both the developer/architect and the resident.

In addition to a full owner’s manual, each Thor dryer comes with a laminated single-sheet operation guide that outlines how to use the condensing dryer. In addition, our toll free service number (which rings directly to Mr. Gale’s office), is listed on the instruction sheet and other literature. Thor’s service team is available to speak with both developers and end-users regarding operational questions or repair issues.

Branding - A Historical Perspective

2010-07-05T15:01:00.000-07:00

The Thor brand has been around for a long time. In fact, Thor celebrated its centennial just a few years ago. One of the best aspects of working for Thor is the stories that customers tell us about their classic old appliances.

Every couple of months a customer will email me with a story about an old Thor appliance found in an attic or basement. Most of these washer have seen better days, but to the people who owned them for the better part of a life, they are a source of fond memories. Some customers ask if their old Thor has any value beyond sentimental appeal. I typically refer them to Lee Maxwell and his online washing machine museum. Lee is a retired professor who has compiled the most amazing collection of historic washers on the planet. If you have an interest in old appliances, take a look at Lee's web site at www.oldewash.com.

Thor also has a new Wikipedia page at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thor_Washing_Machine or check out Thor's history page at http://www.thorappliances.com/site/about-Thor/index.php.

Five Reasons Why Ventless Drying Will Transform Multifamily Construction

2010-07-01T09:51:00.000-07:00

Transform multifamily construction? A big prediction considering ventless drying is still a tiny minnow in a sea of traditional (vented) laundry appliances. However, if the ventless laundry growth trend continues, condensing dryers will evolve into a significant player in the overall laundry appliance landscape. This trend will do more than simply change the look of the laundry room; it will have a broad impact on the design and construction of multifamily dwellings.

Why ventless drying will change the face of multifamily construction:

Cost:

Installing vent ducting is expensive. It’s estimated that the cost of time and material is between $200 and $400 per vented dryer. Add in the expense of periodically cleaning duct work in rental apartments, and you have a pricey project on your hands. Condensing dryers require only a 220 volt plug and access to a drain line (which is already installed near-by for the washer).

Design:

The impact of vented dryers in multifamily developments begins in the design phase, as architects work around cumbersome vent runs and incorporate through-the-wall exit points for each dryer. Without a dryer vent to work around, architects are free to spec in a washer and dryer practically anywhere in the residence. Additionally, the structural impact of dryer vent installation, which is a particular concern in converting older brick buildings into lofts or condos, is eliminated.

Efficiency:

With the exception of the refrigerator, laundry appliances are the most energy consuming appliances in the home. Due to a closed-loop design which re-circulates heated air, ventless dryers are 50% - 70% more efficient than their vented counterparts.

In addition, condensing dryers do not remove copious amounts of air from the surrounding room. Why is this important? . In most areas of the country, room air is heated by a furnace in the winter and cooled by an air conditioner in the summer. Standard vented dryers remove and expel this air, requiring HVAC systems to work harder to keep a room at a comfortable temperature.

Liability:

Ventless dryers eliminate fire liability that is inherent in every vented dryer. If not cleaned regularly, lint from vented dryers can build up in the dryer housing and surrounding duct work, increasing the risk of fire. Condensing dryers use a standard lint trap but do not have the ducting that can hold fire-igniting lint.

Installation:

Ventless dryers remove the installation restraints posed by standard vented dryers. Ventless dryers may be installed flush against the back wall of an extra closet of alcove without vent line encumbrances. In the case of ventless all-in-one washer dryer combos, options expand to include under-counter installation in a bathroom or kitchen.

While still an anomaly in North America, when multifamily developers awaken to the many advantage offered by condensing dryers, the ventless transformation will be off and running.

Say No To Pot!

2010-06-28T21:35:00.000-07:00

It's called a vent pot...and it's a bad thing. In instances where dryer vent ducting is an impossibility(or just too big a project), vent pots are used to capture lint and moisture that would otherwise be expelled out a vent line (at least that's the theory). Essentially, it's venting a dryer into a bucket.

In truth, vent pots expel most of the heat and moisture back into the surrounding room. Further than the nice muggy tropical feel your home will have, vent pots can cause dangerous black mold growth and be a fire hazard due to excessive lint build up.

Even if vent duct installation is inconvenient, spend the extra effort to run a dryer vent or find a quality ventless dry system for your home. Just be sure to say no to pot!

Ventless Drying - The New Standard of Efficiency

2010-06-24T09:31:00.000-07:00

At Thor Appliances, we're big fans of ventless drying. In fact, we even have a Facebook fan page dedicated to the subject. But before you laugh us off as being a little too obsessed with non-venting products, take a closer look at what this new technology has to offer.

Drying Old School - In the Beginning

The progression of dryer technology prior to the invention of the condensing dryer can be summed up in just a few words; first came the clothes line, then came the vented tumble dryer. Sure, modern dryers have LCD displays and humidity-sensing shut-off, but clothing is still dried by blowing warm air across wet laundry and then expelling the moisture out a vent.

Fortunately, a better more efficient technology exists that eliminates the cumbersome and outdated dryer vent. Condensing (ventless) dryers use a dehumidifying chamber to remove moisture from warm damp air that is circulated through the dryer drum. Once the moisture is removed, the resulting dry air is recirculated back into the dryer drum and the process starts over again.

Dry times for condensing dryers are now comparable to standard vented dryers and the process is far more efficient. Unlike vented dryers, condensing machines use a closed-loop system that does not expelled heated air out a vent. Since the warm air remains in the machine, the heating element within a condensing dryer does not have to work as hard to warm the air during the drying process. The result is a dry system that is 50% - 70% more efficient and much easier to install.

Another efficiency advantage to condensing dryers pertains to room air heating a cooling. In most areas of the world, room air is heated by a furnace in the winter and cooled by an air conditioner in the summer. Standard vented dryers remove and expel air from the surrounding room, requiring HVAC systems to work harder to keep a room at a comfortable temperature. Closed-loop condensing do not remove air from a room and therefore do not impact HVAC systems.

With all its advantages, ventless drying is already having an impact on the building industry...but I'll cover that in my next post.

Five Reasons to Own a Washer Dryer Combo

2010-06-23T11:57:00.000-07:00

Washer dryer combos are not for everyone. For one thing, they’re designed for small residences such as apartments and condominiums and not for large homes. If you’re washing for a family of five, a washer dryer combo is not for you.
However, for small families of three of less, particularly those who live in apartments and condos, a washer dryer is the perfect fit – just ask a combo any combo owner.

Following are 5 reasons to own a washer dryer combo:

1. Space – Visit any Home Depot or Lowe’s and you’ll find rows of massive laundry machines that can wash and dry 18 bath towels or 16 pair of jeans. But if you live in the tight quarters of a townhome or loft apartment, chances are you don’t need or want an 18 bath towel washer.

Washer dryer combos are designed to fit where full size (or even medium size) washers and dryers can’t. Combos may be installed under-counter in a kitchen, in an extra closet or anywhere you find a water connection, electrical outlet and a drain. And since most combo washer dryers are ventless, you don’t need to worry about installing cumbersome vent ducting.

2. Time – It’s true that washer dryer combos can take a bit longer to dry. But consider how long your average load of laundry sits in the washing machine before it’s transferred to the dryer. With a washer dryer combo, you can set the machine to both wash and dry, and when you return from work, shopping, running or whatever it is you do, a full load of laundry is washed and dried.

3. Efficiency – Most washer dryers on the market (including those offered by Thor and Bendix), meet strict Energy Star efficiency standards for water and electrical use. And while Energy Star has yet to map out a dryer standard, independent tests have shown that ventless dryers, such as the dry systems used in most washer dryer combos, are 1/3 more efficient than comparable vented dryers.

4. Style – Until recently, washers and dryers were known primarily for their functionality and not for their style. Leaving the era of cellar-dwelling bisque-colored laundry machines behind, today washer/dryer combos come in many colors and designs.

Thor Appliances Company offers a number of attractive combos that can be proudly displayed under counter in a kitchen or adjacent to a sink in a bathroom. And while you’d never consider installing that 1978 green top loader in your kitchen, you wouldn’t dream of hiding a hip new combo washer dryer in the basement.

5. Ventless Installation: - If you’ve ever tried to clean out a plugged dryer vent, you already know why ventless drying is the way to go. But you might not realize that the advantages of ventless drying go beyond convenience.

External dryer vents can actually be a determent to your heating and air conditioning system. That’s because conventional dry systems remove and expel air from a surrounding room during operation. That’s air that typically has been cooled in the summer and heated in the winter. And while you may not have noticed, your vented dryer is causing your HVAC system to work overtime to keep the room cool or warm – at a heavy cost to you.

Condensing dryers use a closed loop system that removes moisture from dryer air without expelling it from the residence. It all adds up to lower energy bills and less work for your HVAC.

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