LG combo W/D: Should I talk them out of it?

[neptunebob]

My sister and her husband have bought a condo at a ski area near here. It is at a good price and location, but came without laundry facilities. They asked if it would be possible to install them, and after looking at the situation, it is possible to install both a washer and dryer in a bedroom closet, with the appliances on either side of the closet. The washer would back up to the water heater closet for the water and electric connections and the dryer would be on the opposite side where I can access the electric panel and run a vent outside. This way, they can have traditional washer and dryer which would run about $900 for them.

Then they found this LG combination unit for $1800 because he doesn't want "major construction." How can it possibly dry clothes with only 110 volts? I don't think it would work out for them, but what do you all know? Did the combos in the 50s-60s work well as far as washing and drying? He is very much into fitness and very active and a lot of clothese and they also have 2 boxer dogs who shed and no one wants to spend time at the laundromat in town. Waiting for opinions, or does the LG unit work fine?

http://www.lg.com/us/washer-dryer-combos/lg-WM3997HWA-washer-dryer-combo#reviews

 

[appnut]

I would read the reviews associated with the link you provided.

 

[alr2903]

I hope they checked with their HOA? alr

 

[neptunebob]

I did read the reviews and some people like them but the cycles take a l o n g time. I wouldn't have the patience for it. I was also concerned of how LG is for service, especially in a semi-rural area where most repairers will be familiar with Whirlpool.

 

[laundromat]

O.K. Bob. This is my own honest opinion regarding the LG combos.

They run on 110 volts
They wash ,rinse and spin like their conventional front loading Trom
They are available in 24" or 27" width
They are non vented condenser drying models

The secret to the drying time is to have cold, cold tap water. The colder your water.flowing through,the faster the clothes dry. That's because the steam from the hot,warm clothes being heated condenses faster taking out more humidity per sq.ft. If the incoming water isn't real cold, the units work fine but take considerably more time to dry because the humidity isn't condensing as quickly.
Look at it this way.
Take two open tin cans. Fill one with tap water,the other with ice water. Then,in a few minutes,look at the outside of each. You'll see one dry, one saturated with sweat. That's because the humidity is condensing on the colder can. The colder the can,the more humidity it removes. Same with combos on 110/120 volts. The colder the water,the quicker the clothes dry. I've had the combos and liked the performance and quality. However, here in Hawaii your clothes dry faster on the,clothesline then in the dryer and ,with electricity costing us $.54/KWH hrre,they ( ventless 110V combos ) are neither popular nor practical.

 

[mrb627]

Water or Air

Are these water cooled or air cooled condensers? Not sure I would or could talk someone out of a purchase once they have their mind set. Perhaps purchase the LG from a source that will give them up to 30 days to exchange it for something else, if needed.

Malcolm

 

[laundromat]

They're water cooled. The pump comes on as the cold water flows to condense the steam to liquid and drain out. It does this every 60 seconds during the dry cycle. Unlike all other brands of these machines, LGis the only manufacturer that uses sensor drying . Not timed. No need to reset like Equator and all other brands. It looks like LG is finally bringing a full size (27") Washer Dryer Combo with 220 volt power and in either size of width. They are condenser dry models too. No venting.
The model you posted is my absolute favorite. It is very similar to the full size LG combos I sold to very satisfied customers. If you load a medium size amount of clothes, the complete cycle averages two hours. That you may adjust the wash time to decrease the cycle times. I see them on line brand new for $1299.00.

 

[alr2903]

OP left me confused. So I deleted my post. "They asked if it would be possible to install them". Not to be a poison pill, did they run this by the homeowners association? All it takes is one bitter neighbor, in this situation to cause a world of grief. I hope all goes well. I would opt for separate machines, just my personal preference. A

 

[neptunebob]

Actually we do...

have permission, I had to speak to someone there to ask to drill for the vent for the dryer and I have to paint the vent to match the building (I had to buy the paint, they told me the color). Other people there have added washers and dryers without problem. I wanted to see how some of the other people there did it. There doesn't seem to be that much supervision, I said that I was a handyman and it was ok with them probably because it is in a rural area.

I still can't believe the LG could work that well, although the water there is very cold. But I guess as long as my brother-in-law likes working for his boss, Damian, LG will be happy to take his $1800

 

[brucelucenta]

If it were myself, I would go ahead and get the new LG washer/dryer combo. I have gotten used to the long running time of my LG made washer already and having it in one unit would be nice I think.

 

[alr2903]

I am glad you checked with the condo association. Sometimes they can be difficult to get along with.

 

[combo52]

LG 120 Volt Water Condensing Combo

As much as I like combos I would skip it for several reasons.

 

They are pitifully slow at drying clothing, in a resort type setting you are often in a hurry when leaving to get sheets, towels clean and dry before you leave, you don't need to be waiting THREE HOURS for a good sized load of towels to dry. [ My brother Jeff has one of these ]

 

It probably will not get much use so it might not break down for a good number of years, but by the time it does not only will parts be NLA  LG is terrible about keeping functional parts available by the ten year mark, plus it is unlikely that any local folks would want to work on it anyway.

 

If space is tight I would get something like a 27" WP-MT Thin Twin or a SQ stack. If natural gas is in the home diffidently pay to run it to the laundry area, one these machines will easily last 30 years+ and if a problem develops years from now they can be easily fixed.

 

[laundromat]

Growing up with the Lady Kenmore gas combo, the cycle length varied anywhere from two to three hours per load. The final spin was fast but less than half the speed of an LG. So,the fabric along with the final spin hitting it's climax (no faster than 500 rpms) , and the heat setting for the dry cycle decided how.much time was needed to complete the program. We would do three to four loads daily and hang during the Spring and Summer. After they stopped production of them here, their foreign models continued production successfully but were smaller and had built in water heat and would be connected only to cold water. Around 2002, LG introduced their own version of the combinations. Two were 24" wide models. One vented,one non vented. Then they also introduced the following year,a full size non vented model available in either front cabinet controls or a nice back splash style unit.
Having a bit more experience with them, I took the liberty to order a floor model for display. Once the word got out, I was selling at least five a month. Apartments, condos, motor homes,house trailers,upstairs bathrooms,closets,and kitchens. What I'd to was teach the buyers how they worked, how to use them, what to expect and what not to expect. Those who followed my lead, never had any issues. They knew what to expect and loved them enough to brag to friends and family. Yes, there are other brands of combos but, the LG is by far ,imho, the best in features,performance,durability,style and dependability. Learn the best way for yourself to use it ,take care of it,maintain it and read the use and care book. I'd die for another full size LG combo. The new ones have the spray jets,interior drum lights, huge capacity and square window. I think HD has it for $1399. There may also be a local power company in your area that is giving out rebates on all Energy Star compliant appliances. From twenty to two hundred dollars.

 

[combo52]

US Combos From THe 50s-The 60s

Hi Chuck, your KM Gas Combo that you had growing up had serious issues if it ever took more than a hour and a 1/2 even with a heavy load of towels. Not only did these machines spin at 400 RPMS with a 26" diameter cylinder, they also had a powerful blower that moved 120+ CFMs of air along with a 37,000 BTU gas burner.

 

The 66 LKMC that I have had installed in my laundry room for over 38 years easily does loads of lighter items in just over an hour start to finish and even heavy loads of towels have never taken more than a hour and a 1/2.