Replies

1. 
   roger g | Jan 28, 2008 12:36am | #1

   Well, usually when you need to condense moisture fairly rapidly you need to have the warm moist air go across cold coils which is just how a dehumidifier works. As you can see it is getting slightly complicated what with a compressor, cold air and what to do with the condensate.

    

   roger

1. 
   rlrefalo | Jan 28, 2008 12:42am | #2

   Roger, Bosch makes condensing dryers, I just wanted to get some feedback from someone who has used one. I don't want to be dumping too much moisture into the air.

1. 
   roger g | Jan 28, 2008 02:00am | #3

   Interesting. I didn't know that.  I would like to know how they do that. I have seen in Europe a washer/dryer combination.

   roger

2. 
   semar | Jan 28, 2008 02:14am | #4

   if you go European condensing dryer I would stick with Miele.
   They have a better consumer rating and pricewise they are about even.
   The condensation is either drained into your washing machine drain pipe or you can order the unit with a small compartment which needs to be drained everytime. Some products (Miele) have both systems combined.
   You are probably looking at around 1700.--, almost all are electric.
   If you want to stack them, make sure the washingmachine has the controls in the front.

2. 
   Howard_Burt | Jan 28, 2008 02:55am | #5

   I have a friend who has an Asko condensing dryer.  Initially he set it up to drain into the onboard container, but after a month or so, he got tired of emptying the tank, so he changed it to drain down the washer drain. The heat from the unit exhausts into his laundry room, which is nice in the winter, not so nice in the summer.

1. 
   rlrefalo | Jan 28, 2008 03:24am | #6

    DO you know if it can also vent by way of 4" pipe to the exterior in the cooling season?  EDIT: I'm wondering about lint output also...

   Edited 1/27/2008 7:27 pm ET by rlrefalo

1. 
   Howard_Burt | Jan 28, 2008 03:36am | #7

   This particular ASKO unit did not have any ready accomodation to hook up a traditional 4" dryer vent. Can't speak for any of the other brands, such as Bosch or Miele.

   The lint output is what you would expect from any dryer. 

1. 
   semar | Jan 28, 2008 04:32am | #8

   all have a lint filter which you must clean everytime before you use the dryer. BTW that is a good idea anyway.
   Heat is not so much a problem, not much more than a dishwasher or a selfcleaning oven. But if it is enclosed in a very small space closet it is noticable.
   check the net about reliability and other writeups.

1. 
   rlrefalo | Jan 30, 2008 04:37am | #9

   Thanks guys, I think I'll keep researching, and post if I find anything interesting.   Rich

2. 
   rjgogo | Feb 05, 2008 01:21am | #10

   I have the Bosch unit and it works great.  It has a condensing unit that draws air though to cool the coils.  The air in the dryer is a closed system, meaning that the air used to cool the condenser is not the same air drying the cloths.  There is a lint filter just like a regular dryer and then the condenser pulls out for periodic cleaning as well.  I like the unit, just wish it came in a bigger size.  Big plus in the winter, and the impact is not so bad in the summer.  If you think about it with a normal dryer that air you are exhausting outside has to come from somewhere so you would be pulling in hot humid make up air anyway.  I would guess there is little difference.  In the winter you do get a little heat benefit that would otherwise be blown outside.

   Let me know if you find a larger unit. 

3. 
   rlrefalo | Feb 05, 2008 03:46am | #11

   I didn't realize it was a closed system,  so it doesn't put off so much heat?

4. 
   rjgogo | Feb 05, 2008 04:48am | #12

   It puts off some heat as the ambient air in the room passes through the condenser much like air through a radiator, but nothing like a normal dryer that constantly blows fresh air though the clothes. But there are two separate air flows. One with the heated air and one that flows over the condenser. The drying air passes over the condenser where it cools and moisture comes out then it goes back into the drum where it is heated again and passes back across the condenser over and over again. It is not "hermetically" sealed but there are rubber gaskets and such keeping it sealed for the most part. It is only available in electric. The fact that it is not continually blowing fresh air outside makes it in my opinion more efficient.