[Greenbuilding] Clothes dryers

[Stephen Collette]

My best friend lives in an apartment in Ottawa with his wife and one  
of these condensing dryer/washing machine. It's a really nice/ 
expensive one that he bought. I forget the brand off hand but it is a  
European. For some reason LG jumps to mind, but I could be out to  
lunch. Regardless it works ok for the two of them, but not great. Yes  
it condenses and runs off of 110 vs 220. Everything all in one.  
However it's slow and has a small capacity. If you stuff it to wash,  
it won't dry everything. So small loads all around. Since it's just  
the two of them and no kids, it is ok. They don't mind. However  
beyond an understanding low use couple, it may not be the best  
option, regardless of energy efficiency. He does also use the old  
string thing lots as well.

As for the drying closets, I have heard of them somewhere, maybe in  
one of my natural building books, but I can't remember. I like what  
was mentioned about them. If someone does come up with a reference,  
I'd be interested.

Thanks.

Stephen

Stephen Collette B.B.E.C
Principal

Your Healthy House
Indoor Environmental Inspections & Building Consulting
www.yourhealthyhouse.ca
stephen at yourhealthyhouse.ca
705.652.5159

> Another alternative, but a pricier one, is to buy a condensing drier.
> These are designed for venting into the house, but require a drain  
> pipe
> connected to the waste lines  for the condensed moisture. These are
> quite popular in Europe, and are a cost effective solution for
> renovation projects where you would otherwise be faced with  
> plumbing in
> long vent systems, anything longer than the recommended distance  
> for the
> flex hose. 20 feet??
> I shopped for one a while back, and found that Home Depot carries a  
> line
> of these, (Mielle brand, I think) but they're about $850 CAD.