[PDLM]

If the machine is on the inventory that you signed then call the landlord and get them to have it serviced - it's their problem.

[dipper]

I agree with the earlier poster, just get a hanging rail fixed to the wall outside the window and some clips and hangers. Cheaper, saves space, better for the environment, better for your clothes, what's not to like?

[Sleuth]

Originally Posted by dipper

I agree with the earlier poster, just get a hanging rail fixed to the wall outside the window and some clips and hangers. Cheaper, saves space, better for the environment, better for your clothes, what's not to like?

I don't think it is better for your clothes. We live on the top floor of our building, so our balcony is absolutely open to the air. If you step out on the balcony, your feet/socks will come back black. Doesn't matter how often you clean it. The same air pollution that we all see will end up on your (clean?) clothes. Granted that air drying inside the house isn't 100% better, but it has to be better than hanging your clothes outside.

[saun-fam]

We have a washing machine in our flat, but no dryer, and sorry, just can't bring myself to hang my clean clothes out the window. We've been using the laundry service nearby, but it adds up quickly, and our clothes are getting fairly beat up. (I think they wash everything hot and extra dry)
I've heard electric cost is the issue for these machines, but does anyone have experience with them? We're spending around $300/wk with the laundry service, surely a combo unit wouldn't add that much to our elec bill?!
Thanks!

[PDLM]

$300/week? How do you manage that? It must be several pounds of laundry a day.

A dryer will add to your bill - if you're doing that much laundry then I guess you'll need to be running it pretty continuously, so it could be a significant amount.

[saun-fam]

yeah- 2 very busy kids and one very sweaty husband!

[timklip]

many people install hanging rods in their bay windows (if you have them) and hang clothes inside with the windows open. We do and they dry very quickly regardless of the time of year, since now it's relatively dry and the windows are open with great breeze, and in the dead of summer the air con is on most of the time. of course in North Point you might not want to open your windows either...

[MovingIn07]

I've had washer-dryers in the past and they are adequate, although not great for big loads as other posters have indicated they take a long long time to finish the process.... Tumble drying of any kind is expensive, you will notice quite an uplift on your electricity bill (particularly if you are on the Island) and I did not use our tumble dryer at all in new zealand - but here, I cannot bring myself to hang clean clothes outside either, so into the dryer they go and I must admit that they do come out nice and soft and fluffy (unlike airdrying....). My environmentally conscious bit blanches every time.....

[XI_YAN]

I had a hoover washer+dryer and it was wonderful. Dirty washing in before work, come home to dry + clean. Both functions worked extremely well. Drying is always heavy electricity consumer so try to avoid drying if possible.

[rapid_jap]

Xi Yan, did you purchase your W/D? how much in HKD?

I am planning to buy a combo as well. a friend told me today she has a Whirlpool W/D but when she was using the drying function once, the machine's body heated up so much that she felt it would probably get burnt! Is that normal?

How much addition will it be to the electricity bill - monthly average? Assume normal load, twice a week. I am on the island.