All-in-One Washer/Dryer with Inverter HeatPump Load Classification for Dwelling Unit Load Calculation

[patel2024]

For multi-family projects, we are seeing developers considering use of a combination units which are all in one washer / dryer. This is not a combo stacked unit but rather a single laundry appliance. Equipment datasheet indicates there is a heater internal to unit. A 5.0CuF unit power requirement is 120V, 12A. While Dwelling Unit load calculations requires laundry circuit load, it also requires a dryer circuit for an electric dryer, with minimum 5000VA or higher per nameplate rating. For projects using such combination washer/dryer, do we need to account for it as an electric dryer load (5000VA-220.54), or do we consider it as a Laundry Circuit load (220.52B) for the dwelling unit service calculation. While on a single int basis, it may not make much difference, for a good size multifamily buildings it is a significant difference in service ratings. Thoughts?

 

[david]

For multi-family projects, we are seeing developers considering use of a combination units which are all in one washer / dryer. This is not a combo stacked unit but rather a single laundry appliance. Equipment datasheet indicates there is a heater internal to unit. A 5.0CuF unit power requirement is 120V, 12A. While Dwelling Unit load calculations requires laundry circuit load, it also requires a dryer circuit for an electric dryer, with minimum

5000 va is a min so it needs to be included in the calculation

 

[wwhitney]

5000 va is a min so it needs to be included in the calculation

100% disagree.

On the optional methods, including 220.84 for multifamily dwellings, they all refer to including the actual nameplate of "Clothes dryers that are not connected to the laundry branch circuit". So the optional methods never require a 5000 VA minimum. In the case of the OP, there is no such clothes dryer, so no additional allowance is required.

Cheers, Wayne

 

[patel2024]

100% disagree.

On the optional methods, including 220.84 for multifamily dwellings, they all refer to including the actual nameplate of "Clothes dryers that are not connected to the laundry branch circuit". So the optional methods never require a 5000 VA minimum. In the case of the OP, there is no such clothes dryer, so no additional allowance is required.

Cheers, Wayne

Thank you. It is certainly not an electric dryer, so 5000VA is out of the question. and, as you have pointed out 220.84 clearly indicates nameplate ratings for load not included under 220.84(B)(2) laundry circuit.
While such "appliance" will certainly help reduce some electrical cost, premium paid for such units, repair costs and very long drying times are likely to be problematic!

 

[patel2024]

5000 va is a min so it needs to be included in the calculation

Thank you, David. Looks like load will be included as a 1500VA laundry circuit.

 

[LarryFine]

I'm imagining having to wait for the dryer to finish before I can start another washer load.

 

[patel2024]

I'm imagining having to wait for the dryer to finish before I can start another washer load.

right, this is more for a those who dont mind doing a single load every couple days at night and forget about it. Don't see how families with kids can deal with it.

 

[david]

100% disagree.

On the optional methods, including 220.84 for multifamily dwellings, they all refer to including the actual nameplate of "Clothes dryers that are not connected to the laundry branch circuit". So the optional methods never require a 5000 VA minimum. In the case of the OP, there is no such clothes dryer, so no additional allowance is required.

Cheers, Wayne

The OP never indicated that each dwelling unit would have electric space heating loads or air conditionig.

I guess that assumption is gas ranges are not being used since the op indicated electric washer/dryer 120v 12 amps.

 

[tank728]

right, this is more for a those who dont mind doing a single load every couple days at night and forget about it. Don't see how families with kids can deal with it.

Buy 2 of the machines. Typical homes have provisions for the space.

 

[kwired]

Thank you, David. Looks like load will be included as a 1500VA laundry circuit.

The question maybe is are you providing an electric dryer outlet? If you do you must apply minimum of 5000VA for it

At least one 1500 VA laundry branch circuit is required per dwelling unit unless there is other laundry provisions on the premises. Should you have more than one laundry circuit you need to apply 1500 VA for each circuit

 

[patel2024]

The OP never indicated that each dwelling unit would have electric space heating loads or air conditionig.

I guess that assumption is gas ranges are not being used since the op indicated electric washer/dryer 120v 12 amps.

Correct. No gas. All electric. Each unit will have split system heat pump unit with supplementary heat.

 

[patel2024]

The question maybe is are you providing an electric dryer outlet? If you do you must apply minimum of 5000VA for it

At least one 1500 VA laundry branch circuit is required per dwelling unit unless there is other laundry provisions on the premises. Should you have more than one laundry circuit you need to apply 1500 VA for each circuit

Agreed. However, typically multifamily buildings with market rate apartment units are designed to code minimum. So if the initial design choice is made to use such combo units, space plan will only permit one unit and with not have provisions for an electric dryer. it will essentially defeat the purpose for developer to save cost and space.

 

[kwired]

However, typically multifamily buildings with market rate apartment units are designed to code minimum. So if the initial design choice is made to use such combo units, space plan will only permit one unit and with not have provisions for an electric dryer.

I can see it being designed to be able to convert at least to a stackable washer/dryer if needed/desired and a dryer receptacle likely installed even if not initially used. Of course that would kick in the need to use a minimum 5000 VA on the load calculation for individual units for a dryer.