Confirmation Needed on Affinity Pair

[rp2813]

OK guys, I'm really not a total burn-out case, really I'm not, but I just have to make sure of one thing before I go out and buy an Affinity FL pair (we are sick of the wasteful weakling that is my mom's old (2000) BOL GE TL).

The depth dimension on the Affinities is 28.25 inches. Do I need to add room for dryer ducting in addition to this? I'm concerned that once these machines arrive, the dryer is going to stick out too far. There are swinging saloon style doors separating the laundry area from the family room and I'm afraid that the dryer may stick out too far for the one door to swing open in front of it.

I really don't want to be stuck in a situation where TL is my only option, so if the Affinities are indeed basically the same dimensions as a standard TL pair, I think I'll be OK but I'm concerned about dryer venting mainly. With a 15" pedestal, the duct's outlet in the wall won't be in the right place anymore. Would I be able to use one of those adjustable flat plenum (sp?) type ducts with the Affinity dryer?

Thanks in advance for any advice. I am so ready to junk the GE and the Norge dryer that takes forever to dry anything, and which buzzes so loud at the end of its cycle that I can't do laundry at night or I'll wake the neighbors.

Ralph

 

[nurdlinger]

Do you have space to the side?

These dryers can vent out the sides of the bottom. The electric dryer can vent to either side, the gas model to only one.

As far as the flat things are concerned, they are like dryer sheets. Nobody is ever supposed to use them.

 

[rp2813]

No space to vent from the side. Sorry to hear that the flat vents are to be avoided. I was thinking that might be the solution to any potential depth issue. No ducting would be required in additon to the flat thing, I'm pretty sure. Would that help matters at all?

 

[nurdlinger]

I have no personal idea regarding the flat vents, but I was considering to use one a few years ago. At that time I found more than one posting, in the typical Internet pompous style, claiming that the shape would restrict the airflow, that the design would cause lint to catch and build up someplaces, and so on. I made my original remark somewhat tongue-in-cheek, because I used dryer sheets for decades without incident before learning how *awful* they were. If you can find some on-topic posts, maybe you can convince your self whether or not the flat vents are worthwhile.

 

[rp2813]

Thanks Tom. I think the aspect of this that might allow the flat system to work is the fact that there is no other ductwork involved. Right now, the Norge is basically backed up to the wall--and the vent, so it is a straight shot with virtually no ducting. All the flat thing will need to do is make that connection from 15" or so higher, where the outlet from the new dryer would be located as a result of being on a pedestal.

This is also one of the reasons I'm going with Frigidaire over Bosch. I have read way too many stories of Bosch dryers shutting down due to finicky venting issues.

 

[bleacho]

what is the depth you need?

i purchased this affinity pair, as it was going into a laundry closet with a 30" depth. when installed, the door wouldnt shut on the laundry door. i needed about an additional inch- it was the doors on the affinity that stuck out too far for the laundry door to shut..
called sears, they told me they would switch it, for its sister front loader, and to use the affinity till the replacements came.. WOW what a terrific machine. both the washer and dryer... it is an amzing washer..
the new frigidairre came, and went it without a problem. cleared the door, and all is well..

im on my second FL frig. the first went with my partner when we split. its a terrific brand, excellent machine. and truley a great value..
MAKE IT FIT..... you'll love it..

 

[sudsmaster]

Ralph,

It shouldn't be too hard to have another 4" hole put into the wall exactly where you want the dryer to go, should it? It's even a do-it-yourself job as long as you can confirm that no water pipes or electrical wires are running in that bay (which they shouldn't be anyway if there's already a dryer vent hole there lower down. The existing hole can simply be covered with a discreet piece of board on both sides, or detailed to resemble the original wall.

Personally I haven't heard bad things about the "flat" rectangular perisocpe style dryer vent thingies. And it's such a short run there really shouldn't be a problem. However one will take up more room than a straight back vent.

 

[rp2813]

Steve, the measurement from the rear wall to the door opening is 29.5 inches. Did you end up getting a smaller capacity pair than the Affinities? I'd prefer to stick with the larger size if possible. Worst case would be the swinging doors having to swing outward if you want them to stay open.

Rich, I've thought about a straight shot through the wall and yes, it would be a DIY situation. Already there are two vents in that wall, one from the previous dryer that had the vent to one side, and the current one that has a center vent. I'd cover up both of those if I made a 3rd hole for the new dryer. The main thing I want to do is have this figured out before I buy, but my partner is getting anxious about replacing the lame machines we're currently using.

 

[nurdlinger]

How necessary is a matched pair?

This is a lower-line Frigidaire dryer. It is my belief that all the mechanical parts are the same as the Affinity, (and thus the capacity is the same) and the difference comes from more fully-functioned computer control of all the cycles.

Because this one has a flat door with no window, its depth requirement is 28.5", as contrasted with 29.5" for the Affinity.

Loading…

www.frigidaire.com

 

[rp2813]

Tom, since the machines are right off the family room and often in plain view, I know my partner won't sit still for an un-matched pair. But I'll keep the lower-line model in mind if that turns out to indeed be the best solution.

However, if the big local appliance chain here in town has one of their Friday warehouse sale ads in the paper tomorrow, I may end up making a quick decision over a limited selection, but the savings are well worth it. They had tons of Affinity machines last time I was there. Worst case with the Affinity pair would be the saloon doors coming off, and that would not be the end of the world.

 

[sudsmaster]

Ralph,

If it makes you feel any better, there were swinging saloon doors in my home, from the kitchen to the front hallway, and from the kitchen to the dining room. Some friends convinced me to take them off about six months after I moved in, and I've never missed them since. I've seen your saloon doors, and don't think you'll miss them much either. Worst case, just put up a beaded curtain for that incomparable 60's effect ;-)

 

[passatdoc]

consider the 2940 from Frigidaire

If you have to have a matched set, get the 2140 or 2940 with matching drying. They don't have the thick door ring of the Affinity, which adds another inch to the depth. The 2940 was one of the three top rated machines by CR, in part because it washed as well as machines over $1000 but can be had for under $700. Lowes and Best Buy carry both models.

I have the dryer referred to by Nurdlinger and it has given two and a half years of excellent service.

Note: the dryer above is the "matching" dryer to the 2140. The dryer has a solid door (saves on depth) and thus doesn't truly "match" the 2140 washer, with its window door, but the control panels do match. The 2940 has a much larger rotary control dial for program selection and is visibly different from the dryer above. However, the 2940 has a matching window door dryer, it probably has the same depth as the 2940 washer...but measure carefully before buying.

 

[rp2813]

It's a Done Deal

After taking measurements of the space again and then measuring the machines at the store, it appeared we had room to spare so I went with the Affinity ATF8000FS washer and LGQ6400FS dryer in white. I couldn't see paying $100 more each for black or glacier blue. My partner wanted the Bosch pair because he liked the chrome trim on the doors. This Affinity pair has chrome, so he's getting the look he wants and I'm getting a price I can live with. I also know that my partner would have complained once the Bosch machines were up on their pedestals since the controls are on the top, and he's only 5'8".

The washer wasn't in stock so we are waiting to hear when the new pair will be delivered. The guy who sold them to me owns the same washer and loves it. He also said there should be no worries about using the flat adjustable box type vent for the dryer.

And yeah Rich, if those saloon doors do have to go, I won't have a problem with that at all.

 

[sudsmaster]

Congrats, Ralph.

You can't really go wrong with basic white.

Although I really did like the slate blue that Affinities had last year. It wouldn't have matched much in my home, but I guess I'm just a little bluish.

;-)

I will let Toggles make the appropriate comments about your partner having to bend over the Bosch to reach the controls... lol...

 

[neptunebob]

Rich, go to the Sarah Palin VP thread!

I'm trying to recruit you to be the next Vice President.

 

[neptunebob]

This isn't an LG dryer is it?

I would be reluctant to buy Anything LG after hearing about the service issues here.

 

[rp2813]

From what I've read here and on other sites, the washer is made by Electrolux but I haven't researched the dryer. With the Duets it was pretty clear that the dryer was just a Whirly product all dressed up with a fancy exterior, but it was just a dryer. I'm expecting the same with the Affinities, and I went for the lower line dryer because I know with the Duet pair I only used two or three of the many cycle selections on that dryer.

And Rich, with the Bosch machines on pedestals, it would be a case of my partner having to stand up and reach rather than bend over. He runs me ragged enough of the time with that already.

 

[sudsmaster]

Lord knows what happens when those saloon doors swing shut ;

Well, I'm glad you finally got a decision on the front loaders. I think you'll be very pleased with the overall result.

And I think you'll want to remove those saloon doors so that you can watch the laundry tumble back and forth from the comfort of the other room. I've spent many happy hours watching the Mieles out in the workshop.

 

[rp2813]

Rich, definitely! I like that the Affinities have clear glass.