Am I Really Saving Energy With My New Appliance? And, If So, What am I giving up?

The short answer to the above

 question is "YES, DEFINITELY!!"

To give you a sense of just how much you can expect to save, I'm going to compare the energy use of three GE appliances (side-by-side refrigerator, top-loading washer, and dishwasher) between 1998 and 2025.

(By the way, a shout-out to GE and their website: they archive older models and allow links to operation manuals, spec sheets, and even Energyguides.  I wish all manufacturers would do this!)

The first dishwasher pictured is a mid- level 1998 GE dishwasher, model #GSD4030, along with its energyguide.  Let's compare that to their current model GDP670 (inside pictured just above.)

The difference is quite pronounced.  Newer models have other improvements as well.  For example, note the "kickplate" on the 4030.  Dishwasher capacity has grown over the years (internally - dishwashers still are built for a 34" X 24" opening.  As the interior tub has grown to allow more dishes to be washed per load, the kickplate has disappeared - that space is now primarily tub space!  Also, note that many dishwashers now include a third rack, useful for tongs, serving spoons, etc.  In other words, more dishes per load!

(And yes, I know, I know, dishwashers take much longer to complete their cycle.)  

This is the biggest complaint I receive on modern units.  And there isn't really anything we can do about that, other than to use the short (usually 1 hr. vs. 2+ hrs.) cycle!  At least you can take comfort in the fact that these machines use far less energy, use less water than you would use in your sink in two minutes of hand-washing, are quieter, and clean better.

For more discussion of the dishwasher's evolution, check out my link below to a prior entry.

https://draft.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/5695512488839797470/4445341536753491062

Next, I'll compare a 1998 top load washer (WJSR2070, above) to a modern top load washer (GTW485 pictured below). 

I want to keep this comparison "apple to apple" by comparing two top-loading machines.  Today's front load machines are even more efficient than the sample model! (In 1998 front loading washers were just becoming popular in the market.)

Besides holding almost 50%  more clothes, spinning out more water in the spin cycle, and using far less water, the savings on your electric bill is not insignificant:

Now, just like the dishwasher, cycle times are longer on today's machines.  Also, I still get customers who wistfully remember their old machines from the last century, with the simplicity OF mechanical dials and timers, and rue today's all-electronic, sometimes even Bluetooth-compatible, machines.  DOE mandates over the last twenty plus years have forced manufacturers to employ load sensors to prevent using more than necessary (which is why only a handful of machines still have a direct water-level knob). 

While I can empathize with people's fond memories of these past machines, I prefer to focus on the many improvements (such as increased capacity, energy savings, better cleaning) that a modern washer offers!

Finally, the Beast of your electric bill, the refrigerator!

 I'm comparing two full-sized, side-by-side units (the popular French Door models that inhabit so many modern kitchens didn't become readily available until the mid 2000's.).  The first picture is a 1998 model GE # TFX25

In 1998 the side-by-side fridge, with an ice and water dispenser, was the trendy style of the typical kitchen. While not as popular today as the French Door style, they still enjoy some popularity, especially with customers who don't like the occasional bending down into the freezer of FD style units, or that prefer the larger ice resevoirs that the freezer side of the SXS models can deliver.  Below is a current model, the GE GSS25IYNFS:

Notice the difference in the energy usage, and think about what that means to your electric bill!  Today's refrigerators also have brighter LED interiors, maintain temperature more accurately, have a little more capacity, and are more environmentally friendly.  

There really isn't much downside to newer fridges!  

The most common obstacle we find when helping a customer replace an older fridge is size.  Be aware that today's modern styles can be a little taller, deeper, and sometimes wider.  New England had numerous kitchens with 68" in height alloted for the refrigerator, and often 33" alloted in width.  Many contemporary styled units are built for a 70" x 36" opening.  If you have one of these kitchens with the older, smaller space (as in my own house!) you can still find appropriately sized units, but your choices are more limited.

The sales professionals in our eleven locations (addresses and phone numbers are on the front page of our website, immediately to the left of the "Read our blog" link) will be more than happy to help you out with any space restrictions, and will be able to discuss the many positive changes in today's better performing, super efficient, appliances

What's Special About Today's Dishwashers?

In the last few decades the dishwasher has become a standard part of a kitchen appliance suite.  Not too long ago, however, this was not the case.  In fact, the 24" wide dishwasher that we've all grown accustomed to assisting us with kitchen cleanup chores has only been around for the past few decades.

I was originally going to focus in this blog on the history and evolution of the dishwasher, but the article I linked below does an excellent job tracing the dishwasher from its humble beginnings in the mid 19th century as a curiosity all the way up to today's ultra-modern, ultra-efficient models.

https://www.candy-home.com/en_GB/blog/when-was-the-dishwasher-invented/

So instead, I've decided to focus on what you can expect if you venture out and purchase a new dishwasher today.

Compared to older dishwashers, today's units are roomier, perform better, are quieter, and are more efficient.  (The cycle times are also longer, and there are reasons for that - I'll cover that in a bit.)

Let me expand on the improvements:

1) Capacity - If you check out the majority of dishwashers today, you'll notice a third, usually flat, inside the unit at the top of the tub. (see the picture of the interior of a Kitchenaid dishwasher above)  This rack is great for lids, serving utensils, tongs, and even silverware!  In addition, over the years manufactrurers keep finding ways to "hollow out" the interior of a dishwasher, giving you more room for those large American style platters and baking dishes. 

 NOTE!! the dishwasher exterior isn't larger - just the inside!

2) Performance - today's units use better filtering systems to prevent re-depositing of debris on your dishes.  They also heat the water during the wash and rinse cycles to reach the 140F degree temperature desired to help dissolve grease and grime better. 

(Just as a note:  Most human hands can't withstand water temperatures above 110F.  In other words - Let your dishwasher do the dirty work for you - it will do a much better job!!)

3) Quiet - Sometime in the late 90's into the 2000's, manufacturers discovered that 1) consumers prefer a quieter dishwasher, and 2) consumers will pay a little more for that quiet.  The result:  Dishwashers in general are much quieter than say a generation ago.  Most mid-level and up models have noise ratings below 50db (generally 50db is the threshold for "quiet", and some units have ratings as low as 42db, or even 39db - making them essentially silent!  

4) Efficiency - The DOE has mandated dramatic reductions in energy use and water consumption on both clothes washers and dishwashers.  The result: the normal cycle on today's dishwasher ususally uses less than five gallons!!

(Just think about that for a moment! - That's five gallons from start to finish!  To compare, today's kitchen sink uses about 2.2 gallons per minute - and older less efficient units use even more.  In other words, if you run your sink for just three minutes to clean your dishes, you've already used more water than today's dishwasher uses from start to finish!!  Bottom line: Don't be afraid to use your dishwasher, even on less-than-full loads!)

Are there downsides, or complaints, about today's dishwashers?  Well, yes there are!

The most biggest complaint revolves around cycle times. 

 A dishwasher's "normal" cycle is usually a bit over two hours, while the "short cycle" is generally 48=60 minutes.   What can you do about this?  Well, basically, nothing.  This is the tradeoff for the dramatic increase in energy efficiency which has been (by necessity) mandated for today's appliances.  Your dishes will come out sparkling clean, but you just have to wait longer for the unit to do its job!

Just how long should you expect your dishwasher to run?  Below is a link from Kitchenaid which should give you a good sense:

https://www.kitchenaid.com/pinch-of-help/major-appliances/how-long-do-dishwashers-run.html

Now, should you decide to purchase a dishwasher from us, you have three options as far as delivery/pickup go:

1) If you have a SUV or truck, we can help load a unit onto your vehicle (some brands even fit in the hatch of my Prius!!)  Our stores carry a limited number of models for the "grab and go" customer, and other models are generally available a few days after purchase.  Check with your nearest Manny's showroom for specific availability details.

2) If you can install the dishwasher yourself, we offer in-home delivery, removal of the older (disconnected) dishwasher included, for a nominal fee.

3) We also offer professional replacement installation for an additional fee. Yes, the install fee is more than a drop-off delivery, but significantly less than hiring most plumbers!

Details and specifics on delivery/installation can be answered by any of our sales pros in any of our eleven showrooms.

In closing, today's dishwashers clean better, use less water and energy, hold more dishes, and run more quietly. 

Whether you are considering replacing an older dishwasher on its last legs, or upgrading your kitchen, there are definite advantages in today's quiet, ultra efficient models!

If you have any questions, please reach out to any of the sales professionals in any of our eleven showrooms (phone and addresses can be found on our website)

Meantime, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone!! 

Black Friday?? How does "Black November" sound??

Have you ever stood outside a mall or department store in the middle of the night (or even on Thanksgiving afternoon!), waiting expectantly for the doors to open, hoping you will be one of the fortunates who get their hands on an incredibly marked down tv or computer?  

Well, I have great news: in the appliance industry it's not "Black Friday"... it's "Black November"!

So if you're looking for an appliance this Thanksgiving weekend, or even next week (up until Wednesday December 4th), you get the same savings you would have received had you pitched a camp outside our door on Thanksgiving night!

You may have received one of our four page circulars in your mail, or maybe you came across one in a newspaper.  If not, then no worries!

You can click on the link on the front page of our website, immediately to the left of the link you clicked to reach this blog.

(If you can't access that link, I've pasted the four pages below:)

I'd like to point out a few particularly exciting features of this ad, to help you get the most savings and value from your shopping.

1) Exclusive rebates!!  And not just exclusive rebates, but DOUBLE EXCLUSIVE REBATES!!

We've often been able to offer our customers an additional, "thank you for buying local", rebate on many kitchen packages of two or more items (same brand, of course).  Typically, buying two appliances qualified you for a $100 rebate, three pieces got you $200, and four or more would give you $300.... and this is in addition to any manufacturer rebates.  Well, through December 4, many of these extra rebates are doubled ($200 for 2, $400, for 3, $600 for 4).  I've already had two customers purchase kitchen packages from me this month that entitled them to $1000 in rebates!!  

Some exclusions and conditions do apply of course, but the exclusions are far fewer than you would think.  See any of our sales professionals for details.

2) Package options.  Take a look at some of the kitchen package options featured in our flyer.  For I believe the first time, our package suggestions offer style options in the same ad.  Now you can see what upgrading from say, a traditional top-freezer to a side-by-side refrigerator will cost you, or if you want to upgrade from a free-standing range to a slide-in (backless) model!  

From experience, I know that pretty much everyone tweaks these advertised packages to fit their wants and needs, but I really love the way our ad shows the package options. It makes it easier to budget your purchase before shopping our store.  Kudos to our marketing gurus!!

3)  Color matters!!  It seems the appliance manufacturers are really trying to encourage consumers to "upgrade" their kitchens to a modern color.  Stainless steel is still the overwhelming choice of consumers, and has shown amazing staying power (the color has been in vogue since the early 00's!).  The next most popular colors are what I call the stainless alternatives (Slate, Black Stainless, Black Slate being the most popular options.)

If you are looking to replace a piece or two in the traditional black or white, be forewarned:  Availability, especially in more contemporary styles, is slowly disappearing.  Even worse, you may pay more, sometimes substantially more, to get the older color.

Here's an extreme, but by no means unique, example. 

https://www.whirlpool.ca/en_ca/kitchen/refrigeration/refrigerators/french-door/p.36-inch-wide-french-door-refrigerator-with-water-dispenser-25-cu.-ft.wrf535swhz.html

This Whirlpool French Door refrigerator sells for $1599 right now, in stainless.  A great buy!! If you want another color, then you'll be paying hundreds of dollars more.  Please don't blame us - it's the manufacturer, in this case Whirlpool, who is choosing to offer huge discounts on the stainless color, but not on traditional white or black.

Here's another example, this time a Whirlpool four-door French Door with ice and water.  Take a look at our price tag, and note the huge difference in price if you'd like stainless ($1999) vs. black stainless or black ($2789 and $2699 respectively.)

Without doubt, if you're going to be in the market for appliances anytime in the near future, now through December 4th is the time to take the plunge!! Between manufacturer discounts that are the best I've seen since the late 2010's, to robust availability, to extra rebates, to quick turnaround time (or holding your appliances until you're ready if you have some remodeling to do) ... it's a perfect storm of savings for you!!

Please visit any of our eleven showrooms (addresses and phone numbers listed on our front page), or touch base with any of our trained sales consultants via phone or email, so we can help you put together a purchase that both meets your wants, and saves you the most money possible!

                    Happy Thanksgiving everyone :)

 

Is It Time For a New Range??

It's almost Thanksgiving!!

For many families that means it's time for someone to be planning a delicious feast for their loved ones and friends.   That also means that for many families it's time to think about upgrading that old stove!

Two questions often come to mind as someone contemplates a range purchase:

1) Is this a good time to buy, or should I wait?

2) What's new about today's range vs. my old stove?  What should I be looking for?

1) Well, the answer to the first question is a resounding, unequivocal YES!  I'm sure you've heard of "Black Friday", and all the giant sales retailers put forth to get you, the consumer, excited about the upcoming holiday season.  Well, in the appliance industry, these deals actually began on November 6!  

Think of Appliance Black Friday as "Black November"... so yes, if you are contemplating purchasing a new stove (or any appliance) now is the time!

2)  To answer these next two questions, I'd like to list the questions you should ask yourself (and that we, the experienced sales people at Manny's, will probably be asking you as well,) to help determine the correct product to fit your needs and budget.

(For the sake of this blog, let's assume you are replacing or looking at the traditional sized 30" wide range.  There are smaller width sizes, 20" and 24" wide ovens available (normally for smaller kitchens or apartments), and larger "professional" ranges in the 36" and 48" size.)  If you are looking for a standard 30" wide range, take heart:  ranges are much more standardized size-wise then refrigerators.  For example, there never have been 29" or 32" ranges!)

Note-- If you are looking for a non-30" range, we can still help you!! Just ask one of the sales pros in any of our eleven locations.  Same for a cooktop and wall oven combination... we have a good assortment of "built-ins" on display at all our showrooms, and can help you out with this (often more complicated) purchase as well!

Let's start with some easy questions:  

Are you looking for an electric or gas range?    (And if the range is gas, hopefully we're asking whether you have natural or LP, meaning bottled, gas?)

Are you looking for a "free-standing" range (a traditional style range with a back), or a "slide-in" range.  These backless ranges have become more popular in recent years as people remodel and upgrade their kitchens.   The picture below should help (free standing range is on left, slide-in on right):

         

What color would you like?  If you have a white or traditional black kitchen, you will find your replacement choices have become more limited, especially in more modern, upscale styles.  Stainless steel, which usually now comes with a coating to help resist fingerprints and make cleaning easier, has been the most popular appliance finish for over fifteen years now, and shows no signs of becoming dated.

Two nice improvements worth mentioning:! (This part will help answer the "what's new" question!)  

1) Oven cavities have become progressively larger over the years (while the stove itself still fits into a 30" opening).  

2) Cooktop surfaces have become more powerful.  It is not uncommon for an electric range to have a burner that exceeds 3000 watts (vs. 2100-2500w max a generation ago.)  Gas ranges boil water much faster!  Back in the late 90's for example, a 12,500 BTU burner was a big deal, and marketed as a "High Output" burner.   Today, stoves can have anywhere from 15K to as much as 21K BTU on one burner, (and usually have a lower BTU on the low end for better simmering as well!)

(And here, if you are in the market for an electric range, I feel obligated to point out the advantages of an Induction Range!!  See my last blog below for details!)

                                             ***

Once these questions are asked and answered, it will become easier to hone in on models that match your wants and needs.

Some of the features on today's stoves, roughly in order of most basic to most expensive, include:

Self cleaning ovens.   Often, these stoves also include a steam clean feature, which is faster and more eco-friendly then the traditional high-heat self clean cycle.  What is steam clean?   Here's an explanation, courtesy of Frigidaire:

https://support.frigidaire.com/Owner-Center/FAQs/Cooking/RangesStoves-WallOvens-Cooktops/electric-and-induction/When-and-how-do-i-use-steam-clean/

Five burners vs. four.  The majority of electric smooth-top ranges include a fifth burner at the center rear of the cooking surface.  This burner serves as a "warming" burner, to help maintain temperature and simmer on a recipe item that has completed the cooking process.

(Note - in gas ranges, not only do many stoves include the fifth burner, but a griddle plate is often included, or at least available as an option.)

Convection and Air-Fry.  Do you have a table top air fryer at home?  If so, then you essentially have a mini convection oven.  The convection feature (forced hot air circulation, allowing more even and faster cooking) becomes available as an option usually about halfway up a manufacturers lineup.  In addition, recently many stoves include an air-fry button on the oven control keypad, using the convection fan and heating elements together.

Double oven.  Most manufacturers offer a couple of models with two ovens, one above the other.  This offers two advantages:  1) the ability to cook two different foods at separate, discrete temperatures, and  2) the ability to cook a small meal using the smaller, faster heating and more efficient, oven cavity.

This should give you an idea of what's available on a modern range. 

Which range is the "right" range for you?  That depends of course.  Two of the most common factors are usually 1) budget), and 2) how much you see yourself using some of these nicer features (such as the speed and flavor retention of a convection oven.)  

I often ask my customers, semi tongue-in-cheek,  "Do you like to cook, or do you have to cook?"   If cooking is a dreaded chore, and you have no plans to take up gourmet cooking as a hobby, then some of the features found on pricier models may not be of use to you.  If, on the other hand, you look forward to preparing delicious meals, then we would love to show models that offer options that will make your experience even more enjoyable!

And, please -- enjoy the shopping process!  Availability is excellent, especially in the more popular models and colors, and in most cases Manny's can deliver you a new range (and remove your old if desired) within just a few days.   

If you have any questions, you can reach out and speak to any of our professional staff in any of our eleven locations (addresses and phone numbers are on the front page of our site, just to the left of the "Manny's Blog" tag you just clicked on.)

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!!

Why aren't you buying an induction range?

In Europe, induction stoves, including cooktops, can be found in 36.9% of homes.

Here in the USA, only 3% of homes use induction based cooking appliances!

Why, why, aren't American consumers getting on board with this superior-performing, energy-efficient, way to cook??

First, in case you aren't familiar with how induction works, I've linked a primer that explains just what happens during the cooking process:  

https://www.whirlpool.com/blog/kitchen/what-is-induction-cooking.html#:~:text=So%20how%20does%20an%20induction,fast%20and%20even%20cooking%20method.

The benefits of induction cooking are numerous:

1) Faster response times -with induction, you get the "best of both worlds".  You get the ability to instantly change the temperature on the cooking surface a la gas, which is one of the most often praised benefits of cooking with gas.  You also get much faster boil and heat- up times, but without the slow rise and slow cooling down that frustrates consumers on their traditional electric range and cooktops.

2) Most energy efficient cooking source -  per Google, induction cooking is three times more efficient than gas, and 10% more efficient than traditional electric.  As we all are more aware and more energy conscious, induction becomes the best way to go!

3) Safety- the cooking pan itself is the heat source (as opposed to a gas flame, or electric elements beneath the pan), therefore residual heat is minimal.  I have an induction range at home.  Sometimes, just to amuse myself, I'll put a finger on the stove surface right next to a hot saucepan.  It still makes me smile when my finger doesn't burn!

4)  Cleanup- because the surrounding cooktop surface isn't hot, boil-overs and spills don't burn and adhere to the surface, making clean up much easier.

(Also, many utility companies are now offering rebates to encourage their customers to step up to the more fuel-efficient induction ranges.  Check your own provider to see whether you might be eligible for an incentive.)

And, yes, there are downsides of course. 

1) The pans have to be magnetic!! (While I have found this to be the by far the biggest objection by customers against stepping up to induction, it really isn't the "Big Deal" some make it out to be.)  Your pan either holds a magnet, and is thus induction-ready, or it isn't - there's no in-between.  If you've purchased a set of cookware recently, it is most likely induction ready (you can normally tell by symbols such as the one pictured below on the cookware or the packaging,)   If your pans are not magnetic, it's not that big a deal (or expense) to purchase a set.  You can certainly look for a set of upscale pans with a superstar celebrity chef's endorsement and smiling picture, but you don't have to.  My wife was able to find a perfectly useful pan set for under $200 online. 

2) Heart issues. In rare cases, a person with a pacemaker should not use a magnetic powered induction range.  Check with your health professional to see whether this may be an issue.

3) Resistance to new technologies.  This seems to be a bigger overall issue then one would think.  Traditionally, Americans tend to resist new technologies.  Now the reasons for this are way, way outside the scope of my little blog, but numbers such as the stat I quoted at the beginning do support this. 

For more thoughts on the objections, see the New York Times link  below for more discussion.

https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/why-dont-people-use-induction-cooktops/

I realize that for some people cooking is a dreaded chore, no different than vacuuming or mopping the bathroom floor.  

But -- if you DO like to cook, and your kitchen is wired for electric (vs. gas), then ...

Seriously!!  Why aren't you buying an induction range??

Who's Who in the Appliance Industry?

"Dave, aren't all appliances made by one company?"

I get asked this question, or some offshoot, by customers fairly regularly.  The answer, the short answer anyway, is "No."  

Now, having said that, there certainly has been consolidation over the decades.  Think of General Motors, which currently has four separate divisions: Buick, Chevrolet, Cadillac, and GMC (yes, I looked it up!)

In our industry there are several "parent" companies that utilize different labels, or "badges"

Let's start by taking a look at the Whirlpool Corporation.

Currently they manufacture appliances for the US market under many different names:

Kitchenaid and Jenn-Air are considered to be their premium lines.

Maytag and Whirlpool would be more mid to upper middle level.

Amana is more of an entry level line, geared for landlords and first time home buyers.

In some cases the products are simply extensions of one another.  There will be times however, especially when one looks at the premium lines, where changes can be more significant between models.  (Any of our sales professionals can help you sort through the different models!)

Now, back to my GM analogy.  General Motors has discontinued several lines over the years (Oldsmobile, Saturn, Pontiac come to mind.)  Likewise, Whirlpool (and other appliance companies) also will drop older brands.  For example, when Whirlpool purchased Maytag in 2006, the Magic Chef line, which was Maytag's entry brand, was discontinued.  Around that time, Whirlpool also dropped the "Roper" and "Estate" badges, essentially replacing them with the better known Amana label.  

Some appliance companies, such as General Electric, keep the

same brand but with different levels.  

Walk into one of our appliance showrooms and you will see models with GE, GE Profile, GE Cafe', and GE Monogram (in ascending order of features, quality, and price).  As with Whirlpool, it can be tricky to figure out when you are simply getting more features as you "step up" the lines, or when the product itself is different and better. 

(Full disclosure - GE does have two lines geared to the more budget conscious consumer,  Hotpoint and Haier, that do use their own monikers.  Yes, it can be complicated!)

Just in case you're bored reading by this point, check out this Hotpoint commercial from a time when Hotpoint was its own company starring Mary Tyler Moore (yes, THAT MTM!) made back in 1954:  (I remember this tidbit from an episode of the old "Biography" series.)

https://www.google.com/search?q=mary+tyler+moore+happy+hotpoint+commercial&oq=mary+tyler+moore+hotpoin&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCAgCEAAYFhgeMgcIABAAGIAEMgYIARBFGDkyCAgCEAAYFhgeMgoIAxAAGIAEGKIEMgoIBBAAGIAEGKIE0gEINzM1M2owajeoAgiwAgE&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:987be7fa,vid:1b0ypsUD7wY,st:0

Whirlpool and GE have the most divisions in our industry.  In case you wondered which other companies are aligned, I'll go over the rest.

Electrolux  has (again in ascending order) Frigidaire, Frigidaire Gallery, Frigidaire Professional, and Electrolux.

BSH (Bosch) also markets Thermador at the luxury level.

LG also has LG Studio as an upper level line.

Samsung has an upscale Bespoke line.

Then there are some manufacturers such as Danby, Summit, and Premier that primarily market to the more price-conscious consumer.  These lines tend to focus on "niche" appliances such as 20" and 24" ranges, smaller (under 14 cubic ft.) refrigerators, 18" wide dishwashers, and so on.

Is this confusing?  Yes, it can be at times.  If you are in the market and trying to work your way through the various brands and levels, let us help you!   Please call or visit any of our 11 showrooms (addresses and phone numbers are on the front page of our site, just to the left of where you clicked on this blog.)  We'll be happy to guide you through this maze, and help you pick the "right" appliance for your needs!

Ventless dryers - Pros and Cons

American sized laundry

On back to back days last week I fielded inquires here in the Westfield regarding ventless dryers.  While these dryers are still a very small part of the overall laundry market, response and interest has been growing (and there may come a time down the road where dryers are mandated to be ductless due to energy savings - more about that below!)

Now American (and Canadian) laundry is rather unique compared to the rest of the world.  Our washers and dryers are larger, much larger.  Cycle times are generally shorter.  And, our giant dryers exhaust the heat and moisture generated during the drying process to the outside through a four inch metal vent.  While this setupmight seem "normal" to most of us, North American homes are actually unique in using ducted dryers.

What are the advantages to ducted dryers?

1. 1) Speed!  By ducting the heat and moisture out of the house, clothes can be dried significantly faster.
2. 2) Price!  Ductless dyers are considered to be "specialty application" pieces in the US market.  As in so many other industries, specialty application or size means more $$ out of your pocket.

As I said above, the traditional vented dryer is still very much the norm.  

However, there are times where a ductless dryer makes sense. For example:

1) You live in a high rise and cannot put a four inch hole through your wall

2) You want to place the dryer in an indoor area, away from a wall.

3) You want your home to be as green and energy efficient as possible.

The last part is very true.  I'm going to let this article from Reviewed.com (from USA Today) explain the specifics of this process in a very articulate manner (so articulate in fact that I briefly considered being lazy and just culling from this article.  Just kidding!).

https://reviewed.usatoday.com/laundry/features/everything-you-need-to-know-about-ventless-dryers

Ductless dryers come in three formats:  "Compact", "All-in-one", and what I'll call "Simply ductless."

First, compact, 24" wide, European style laundry.

24" "Euro-style" compact laundry

These smaller units are the norm in Europe, where living space tends to be smaller, and energy awareness is generally more advanced than the USA.  

The washer uses less water and spins out faster (reducing the amount of water the dryer has to extract from the clothing.)  Dryers use either a heat pump or condensation feature, capturing the extracted water into a resevoir that gets emptied fairly regularly (think of your dehumidifier.) 

For those trying to be as energy conscious as possible: note that these ductless dryers can use as little as 50% of the energy used by their ducted equivalents!!

resevoir on Electrolux 24" unit

 The downsides:  Three big ones: Price, capacity, and time.  

1. 1) Price: Plan on paying in the $2000 range for a compact laundry set, compared to the $1200-$1600 for a full size, American style, laundry pair. 
2. 2) Capacity: Volume on these compacts is significantly smaller; generally only 50-60% of full size capacity.  For small households this may not be an issue, for larger families it probably will be!
3. 3) Time:  Be prepared for drying times that are on average about an hour (plus or minus) longer than a typical dryer.  Simply put, exhausting all that built up heat and moisture out of the house speeds the drying process!

Second, the "All-in-ones"

GE Profile"all-in-one" washer 

GE rolled out their all-in-one unit in the middle of last year (click on my blog of  8-23-23 for what - I hope! - is an informative explanation of the pluses and minuses of these units).  LG has since introduced their own model, and other companies are either manufacturing or have plans to manufacturer their own competing models.

How well do these sell?  I asked three of the sales professionals I have the privilege of working with here in our Westfield showroom.  Their answers very from seldom (Rick), to once in a while (Carlos and Pat).  So while these pieces are still very much a niche item, there are scenarios where an All-in-one is the perfect solution to unusual laundry logistics.

Finally, there are normal looking, normal US sized dryers that are built to condense rather than duct out.

These units, and frankly we don't sell a lot of them, usually are purchased by customers who are looking to make their home as efficient as possible, but don't want to sacrifice capacity (as in 24" models), and are willing to accept the longer cycle times and a higher initial price tag - remember however that these machines use a lot less energy!

Now, we do expect both interest and sales of this category to increase in the near future. If your utility company offers rebates on E-star products you might well see rebates on the considerably more efficient condensation and/or heat pump dryers!   Also, there have been occasional rumblings that the D.O.E. may begin mandating that ducted dryers be phased out - that hasn't happened, at least not yet!

If you have any questions on this, feel free to leave me a note, call one of our eleven stores and speak with a sales professional, or even stop in and visit one of our showrooms!  Phones and addresses are just to the left of the blog link on our site's front page.