Ugh, another Black Friday email

Heat Pump dryers are a great thing to shop for as you're digesting your turkey from yesterday

Author

Shreyas Sudhakar
November 29, 2024

I’m not going to even try competing with all of the Black Friday shopping emails that are likely flooding your inbox today. So instead of beating them, I’ll join them. Black Friday is a great time to get a heat pump dryer!

Though this newsletter mostly focuses on heat pump HVAC, we’ve talked about heat pump dryers before. Just like heat pump HVAC systems are the most efficient way to heat and cool your home, and heat pump water heaters are the most efficient way to heat your water, heat pump dryers are the most efficient way to dry your clothes! Plus, there are 2-in-1 units that both wash and dry your clothes, without needing to change out your load.

But you don’t have to take my word for it! Here’s some great advice from the community about Heat Pump dryers.

"Laundry is so easy, I could do it in my sleep." 🛌

No, really. I did a load last night while I was sleeping. 💤

I went to sleep at 10, started laundry at midnight, and finished around 2. 🙃

How did I do it? With a combo washer/dryer (GE Profile UltraFast).
And it turns out, combo units are perfect if you hate laundry.
I scheduled the load, and it was done when I woke up.

What's a combo washer/dryer? 🤔

It's a washing machine and dryer combined into one appliance.
So. there's no need to move wet laundry to a separate dryer.
And it's ventless and 120V so you can install it anywhere*.

Why aren't they more popular? 📉

Because until recently, they were too small and too slow.
Older models were apartment-sized (2.5 cubic feet).
And they often took 6-8 hours for a full load.

But everything changed in 2024 with GE, LG, and Samsung. 🚀

Combo units took a step forward with the new generation.
They're the same size as traditional laundry (5+ cu.ft).
And they promise to do full loads in 2-3 hours.

I've never loved laundry as much as I do now. 😍

I moved the laundry from the basement into a 2nd-floor closet.
It's literally within sock-throwing distance of two bedrooms.
I was worried about noise, but that's been a nonissue.

Traditional laundry is a mental load. 🧠

But overnight laundry is effortless. That's the bottom line.
If you hate laundry, spend less time thinking about it.
Make it so easy that you can do it in your sleep.

➡ And to contractors: add this to your toolbox. Ventless combo washer/dryers make it easier to electrify homes without a panel upgrade.

*It needs a water supply, drain, and standard 120V outlet.

Check your local Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace for good deals on used combo washer heat pump dryer units. The GE unit has been on the market the longest and presumably has more marketshare. So expect to see more of the GE units than the LG and Samsung units.

Sub $1000 is a common price for a used unit. Used major appliances across the board don't hold their value well even if they're only 1-2 years old.

Ask the reason why they're selling it. For the GE unit here is a video on how to get into the Service mode to look for saved error codes and to run tests.

A machine that washes and dries the clothes without having to move the load over to the dryer is game changing in my opinion. A great convenience.

I have a Kenmore 97591220 venting gas dryer. The thing works great and based on a serial number lookup, looks like it's from 1994. I love appliances that are rock solid and designed to last (none of this planned obsolescence BS). The only thing is I'm trying to electrify....so...

I've been looking into heat pump dryer options. My compiled list is in the screenshot below. The main usability issues I've discovered are typically:
1. Clothes feel damp to the touch coming out of the dryer and require a "shake" or hang up
2. Lint clogging up the condenser / evap coils and causing issues
3. Smaller capacities (for American standards...)
4. Longer dry times

With more complex machines ( heat pumps ) comes more reliability concerns, and I don't love the notion of clothes coming out feeling damp. Also, I want to be able to dry a comforter...and sheets...and all that good stuff...like a mainstream American. The reliability concerns of most of the dryers was the biggest downside though.

This review video of the LG DLHC5502 was excellent and got me pretty stoked, as it addressed most of my concerns. Hoping to find it on a black Friday deal somewhere soon!

Now I just need to run power for a 240V plug.

Here’s a few options that are on sale today, if you don’t want to hunt for a used unit. Many of these are on sale at multiple stores for similar prices, so shop around if you have a preferred retailer. Also, keep in mind that the best deals aren’t necessarily always on Black Friday, but most of these prices are pretty solid. (PS: These aren’t affiliate links - I’m not making any money if you click through them. Just sharing the love!)

Samsung 5.3 cu ft Washer & Dryer Combo

$1,699.99

($1,100 savings)

Here’s a recent discussion thread talking about this model (note that it was $100 cheaper then).

GE 4.8 cu ft Washer & Dryer Combo

$1,749.99

($1,150 savings)

This is the same model that Edward recommended above. Here’s a discussion thread from Black Friday last year, when it was $100 more expensive.

GE 4.6 cu ft Washer & Dryer Combo

$1,498.00

($1,101 savings)

This is the cheapest 2-in-1 unit that I was able to find this Black Friday.

LG 7.8 cu ft Dryer

$1,199.00

($600 savings)

This is the same model that Cory recommended above. Here’s a recent discussion thread talking about this model (note that it was $100 cheaper then).

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