Kenmore Heat Pump Dryer

[washingpowder]

Was positive only Whirlpool and LG had one of those fancy units available.
Slowly starting to look for a new laundry pair since moving soon, and matching Whirlpool washers didn't satisfy me with their lack of Hand Wash cycle(an absolute must-have, even before a heater).
Found a Kenmore heat pump unit in Sears Outlet though, quick google search revealed they do!
Does anyone know anything about it? Personally hope it's made by Whirlpool rather than LG; utopian dream though I'm afraid.

http://www.kenmore.com/kenmore-elite-7.4-cu-ft-advanced-hybrid-dry/p-02681593000P

 

[washingpowder]

However

Quick look through the manual reveals it requires both venting and drain exhaust.
Utopia is over, not a ventless unit.

 

[joeypete]

Wow we are on the same train of thought today! haha. I was just looking at these again myself. The Kenmore is actually the LG version so it's not ventless. It can actually be used either way. With or without the condensation drying. I personally like the Whirlpool version better. Its on sale for the same price at Home Depot (at least in my area). Kenmore has another hybrid dryer, but ventless…made by Electrolux. It's a compact though, only 4.0 cu ft.

 

[appnut]

If you are looking for a front loader, I have a 2 year old WP Duet that has both hand wash & delicate cycles.  I see absolutely no difference between the two cycles other than default wash phase time, water temp and spin speed selections.  No difference in tumble pattern. 

 

[washingpowder]

Seems like someone needs to stop posting before going thru the whole *LOL*
Found out it has a 'Save Energy' button which is supposed to "help save energy using heat pump air recirculating technology". Am REALLY curious if it switches the operation to completely ventless or still expels some air.
Wouldn't mind keeping the option always selected, even if it would sacrifice the availability of some specialty cycles.
I do need it in writing from Kenmore for the landlord though I'm afraid, and a 25 minute call did not enlighten me at all whatsoever. All three representatives I spoke with knew less about the machine than I do at this moment. Highly doubt anyone available by phone or e-mail would know.
@joeypete, only reason I wouldn't repurchase a ventless Bosch(one I used and loved, had to sell though) is the capacity. Promised myself not to visit a laundromat ever again and need a dryer big enough to handle comforters. Queen size one did kinda fit in the Bosch, but required a lot of snapping, redistributing and stretching every now and then. I like the Whirlpool version more too! The idea behind the three power options sounds fantastic! I actually already know which loads would go on eco, which on balanced, and when the Speed mode would be most desirable. Another thing, I will not buy an LG product whatsoever, which is why I didn't even care about their version enough to know it requires venting. Since both LG and Kenmore share that design, wild guess the latter will not be my first choice either.
@appnut, I saw a couple of youtube videos of Whirlpool's delicate cycle and it was way too aggressive for my needs. Was hoping the Hand Wash option would be a tad gentler.. Only thing that makes me research Whirlpools is my posh need of precisely matching the heat pump dryer *LOL* since my laundry pair will probably stand somewhere between kitchen and living room. If that wasn't the case I would absolutely go for a Neptune, the one with heater. Will probably end up doing so though.

 

[peteski50]

LG heat pump dryer!

I work at home depot and I spoke to the LG rep last month and he stated that this unit uses a vent. I read the specs and found it hard to believe. The Whirlpool seems to be a better design. In my openion what is the point of having a heat pump and a vent at the same time???? He thought the Whirlpool was set up the same way but I gave him the specs. Just doesnt make sense.
Peter

 

[mrb627]

Be Patient

LG will eventually copy Whirlpool's design and call it revolutionary. LOL

Malcolm

 

[foraloysius]

Overhere LG sells heatpump dryers. No vent needed.

 

[arbilab]

Notice-- or did you just-- how hard it is to tell exactly what is going on in anything for sale today? From the manuals, sales blurbs or factory reps. They want to snatch yer bucks with buzzwords as if you were too stupid to understand what's really what. I resent the hell outta that marketing attitude. For what that's worth, because if it didn't work they wouldn't do it so they're not likely to stop.

 

[foraloysius]

As appliances get more complicated, yes, it is more difficult to tell how something is working. On the other hand, with manuals available on the internet you can make an educated choice if you buy something. The question is if people are willing to get all the information available. Some people just don't care.

As for the LG sales rep. I think I would ask him to show where it is. Unforgivable when people don't know what they're selling.

 

[washingpowder]

It seems like LG uses a heat pump to save some warmth from exhaust air.
Honestly, it's not a bad idea considering the compromise between time and energy efficiency, and that most people looking for a dryer already have a vent.
Sad to agree figuring out how an appliance works is a pain. Went through manuals for both Kenmore and LG, studied their websites, watched their "look at that revolutionary design" videos and called customer service a couple of times.
Still clueless whether it becomes a ventless unit with the "Save Energy" option selected, which is what the manual slightly implies.
It was just a curiosity however, and am not considering buying one of those as LG does not speak to me at all. Also noticed their multitude of cycles which contradict one another without a clear explanation of their purpose. Say, "Low Temp Cycle" offers medium temp option only, while med-low and low selections are available on other cycles. They do mention said cycle combined with "Save Energy" option will give the longest but most efficient drying. Wildly guessing it utilizes heat pump with only a slight help from the heater - but in the end produces heat higher than the low setting, hence the temp selection. They could have named it differently though.
Same goes for Whirlpool washer's manual. Separate cycles for towels, whites, sheets, and so on; no explanation of differences between those, yet their "Delicate" is supposed to offer slow-speed tumbling ideal for "sweaters, lingerie, shirts and pants". From what I saw on youtube, no way I'd use it for a sweater.
Am actually considering getting a Bosch pair, and resort to washing comforters and pillows at a laundromat. Can't believe I'm actually thinking about it though.

 

[henene4]

Reviewed tested both and found the Whirlpool to be faster, though.
I guess the LG dryer has different target temps set as a default "medium". So, Normal "medium" would be 140°, Delicate "medium" only 120° and the software then reduces the temp by factors ( med-low equals medium temp times 0,9 for example). Maybe a way to stuff all the programms on those "weak" processing units.

Lack of cycle description: I guess, the descriptions them selves did not shortrn at all. But with more cycles avaible, they have to pack more info in tighter space.
But some can be logicly concluded. A towels cycle should add an extra rinse, extend all spins and use slightly more water. Whtes uses a higher temp, engages the heater and adds bleach earlier. Sheets has shorter tumbles to reduce tangeling. And so forth.
But still, LG is really the King of all with that, especially cycles like "Kids wear" (Kenmore) and such.

 

[logixx]

I don't think there's a way to use LG's dryer as a ventless unit.

As for Whirlpool's Delicate cycle: well, my Duet is already a few years old but I washed my suit on Delicates 104F today and it came out like new - as usual.

 

[warmsecondrinse]

Washing a suit? 100% wool? That's something for me to explore...

Thanks,

Jim

 

[washingpowder]

@henene4, that would make sense regarding the temps.
Cycle description, however, would be much appreciated. Especially when thinking about people switching from 2-speed traditional top loaders, a lot of misunderstanding could be avoided. Provided they'd actually read the manual.

@warmsecondrinse, I don't use dry cleaning services at all whatsoever. Even 100% wool suits come out pristine, but cycle and detergent must be selected very carefully, and well as drying on a hanger and ironing through a cloth without steam.

@logixx, I saw a video of your washer's delicate cycle and wouldn't use it for woolens or blazers but it does look perfectly suitable for delicate dress shirts and silks. The Wool cycle seems much more appropriate. Wonder what's the difference between Wool and Handwash. Unfortunately newer units are drastically more aggressive on Delicate, and lack of the latter two cycles.

 

[logixx]

The suit is polyester...from Primark. Quality-wise that means I already had to sew two buttons back on because they fell off during normal use - still, it manages to survive washes flawlessly. My previous suit had woolen pants and I washed them as well and even put them in the dryer on the rack.

 

The difference between Handwash and Wool is that Handwash only heats to 85F and uses a higher water level. I don't find Handwash to be effective because the items just float in the water (26 gal for three fills) and never turn over - unless one is washing several lbs. of handwashables at once.

 

Alex