LG WM6998HBA combo washer vs GEPFQ97HSPVDS combo washer *lint/filter update*

This is a two week update on the washer to show the smaller amount of lint that gets bypassed and the easy way to clean it. Also shows the pump filter and how clean it was.
Even though some small amount of lint gets bypassed, it is much easier to clean compared to the GE!!

[@bobposey402]

That thin metal rod sticking down in the back right corner, behind the louvers, is the moisture sensor. Gently wipe it off. If it gets gunk or lint on it, your dryer will not recognize when the clothes are dry, and will keep drying for hours AFTER the clothes are completely dry. The whole story: The trick for getting good drying performance with this unit is that the lint drawer, including the parts behind the louver on the right, must be kept absolutely lint free. After a few weeks our unit started taking way too long to dry. That’s what we thought at first, but then we realized that the real problem was that the machine wasn’t recognizing when the clothes were dry and just kept drying and drying and drying for hours. I confirmed this using clean, dry clothes from a dresser drawer, and setting the machine to dry only. It estimated 1.5 hours to “dry” these already bone-dry clothes. After the 1.5 hours passed, it kept going for 2 more hours, until I interrupted it. Here’s what you need to know. This is verified by LG support and by an LG rep who came to our house. You MUST keep the lint drawer completely free of lint. Before every drying I use a vacuum on the lint filter, with the soft brush attachment. Then I wash the lint filter every few cycles in hot water. Second, inside the lint drawer, there is a screw, along the top right, hidden under a same-color sticker. Take out this screw. This will not void your warranty, and LG even tells you how in a video. After removing the screw (with the lint filter out) you can first pull out the louvered panel on the right, and then the duct in the back of the drawer. Very carefully vacuum in both places, being careful to not bend the condenser fins. And very important, on the right, when the louvered panel is off, you’ll see a 2” small metal rod coming down in the back right corner. Gently wipe this off. It is the moisture sensor, and if it has gunk or lint on it the unit can’t tell the clothes are dry. All this is much less work that it sounds like, and if you do it, your unit will run perfectly, and dry the clothes just right in a reasonable time.

[@mikerandall6651]

Great video Frank. All of those people who say that full load times for this machine can take up to six hours need to watch this video. I will add the coil cleaning to my maintenance list. I ran over 60 loads through our LG All in One Washer/Dryer and really like it.

[@cobrakai399]

Thank you for the update Frank. We'll probably get the LG instead of the GE.

[@SL-wp2ow]

LG could have raised the height of the unit by an inch or two and consider improving how the unit handles lints. This unit was released a month ago, so none of the units have major problems with lint build up so far, but they will eventually have this issue a year or two down the road for consumers who don't do regular maintenance work. Air circulation is crucial in heat pump dryer and obstructed airflow means no way for heatpump to effectively condense hot humid air to extract out water. Time will tell.

[@Spatulaman69]

Great update! Looks like it won't be too much hassle to clean at all.

[@Ultravorx]

It’s really easy to figure I’ll do it monthly when I do the tub cleaning cycle.

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

More and more, LG is the winner. Like Ben's pointed out the heat pump is MUCH smaller than GE, however, LG in addition, uses resistive condensation to dry, making it more compact, dries better, and costs many hundreds less dollars. Much better filter designs too.

[@volatilememory9338]

Resistive is generally less efficient, but I am more concerned about drying time. There's a video by someone that showed the GE has faster drying time.

[@dregenius]

​​@@volatilememory9338 there's definitely some confusion in the market about these I've noticed... LG's old combo (the WM3998) did indeed use resistive heating and cold water condensing, however this new WM6998 absolutely positively uses a heat pump for the drying process, as confirmed by one of LG's engineers during a product training webinar. It has a resistive *water* heater for sanitize wash cycles, but the drying is heat pump. It's definitely a smaller BTU heat pump than the GE for sure though, the GE is kind of a beast... It's probably around 10k BTU if I had to venture a guess, compared to maybe 3,500 on the LG... it really is an adorably tiny little compressor! 😜

[@user-ps4nm2cl6t]

Thank you!! That did the trick! My dryer is as good as new.

[@spazzman90]

I went ahead and bought some 20 ppi aquarium filter to shove up there. LG has been at these heat pump systems for a while, and I think they may have given up on trying to properly seal and filter this system. At least they have moved the entire condenser assy. to the top of the machine and provided access to, vs. their older systems which are located on the bottom of the machine and require a complete tear down. Interestingly, my area up there has been bone dry at the end of every cycle so far.

[@WesDuncan]

Where exactly did you put your 20ppi filter? To the right of the screen filter? Has it helped?

[@PhilKulak]

Easier to clean for sure. But you can see why the drying times are higher: that heat exchanger is about a quarter the size of the GE. The GE would be easy to clean with a specialized vacuum attachment. I wish someone made one.

[@Ultravorx]

It’s odd , I hear a lot of people saying it has long dry times but when I use ai wash and dry it’s consistently 2-3 hours. Never more.

[@HomeGuySolutions]

I posted a better solution for the GE. I solved the filter problem with weatherstripping in very specific areas. I’m running this modification on two machines with 100% success. Nothing is getting by the filter. Hopefully GE will take note and send this modified filter out to everybody that has purchased the system.

[@HomeGuySolutions]

For anyone who has the GE Combo, I finally posted 2 videos of the modification to the Filter . So far in testing, it has blocked all lint from getting onto the coil. Search GE Combo Filter Mod #1 and #2. Any feedback is welcome. The modification as well as a better secondary filter solve the lint buildup problem.

[@gnewt75]

Saw your videos. What did you use to create that seal? Can you post a video describing what you did to it?

[@HomeGuySolutions]

@@gnewt75 I don’t have any of the packaging left. I spent well over $100- and countless hours, but it was all worth it. Basically it’s weather stripping. The filter upgrade is from some extra AC filters I had . Everything is very specific, you cannot just use any filter. I tested to CFM flow. Basically it can run around six washes a week and I only need to vacuum the mesh. The internal filter we need the grill I haven’t had to clean it yet in three months. it does such a good job at catching the lint, nothing gets by. The coils are the same. I’ll try to give more details as time progresses. I’m also working on pre-making the filter for clients, so they could just install it and hit the ground running. The internal filter behind the screen Can be washed over and over again and reused. It is way superior over what the manufacturer designed without blocking airflow.

[@gnewt75]

@@HomeGuySolutions thanks for sharing this info. Perhaps you can post a video describing what you've done so perhaps someone can try to duplicate it.

[@HomeGuySolutions]

Posted a few more vids

[@HomeGuySolutions]

Update on GE Filter Mod and Heavy-Duty Cleaning of Coil before installing the filter modification if you choose to get the machine squeaky clean... Updated (Modified filters on 2 different machines have each gone through 50 to 60 loads each with 0 buildup on coil! Which now in y opinion is better at drying and currently No Buildup on Coil / Condenser with updates to Filter!

[@petermaz701]

I just have a feeling that these type of heat pump machines whether it is GE or LG, will have future issues. You're taking care of your unit, but there are many many out there who are not gonna do what you did and you figure in 5/6 years time, the build up will cause these machines to not dry at all they'll still wash, but they are going to have drying issues it's a given. Only time will tell.

[@Ultravorx]

That’s very true. It’s a bit more work than a standard setup, and people don’t take of those! Agreed that first gen products will have the most issues but feel with some proper TLC it should last. I ordered a specialty brush I will be testing out to see how well it cleans the coils. I’ll post the video one I get it and accumulate enough lint.

[@dregenius]

I agree that they need a little more maintenance than a vented dryer, but honestly the whole concept of a vented dryer... Taking conditioned room air, heating it up with 5,500 watts of resistive electric heat and just blowing it out of a 4" hole in the wall is so mind-bogglingly, criminally inefficient that I genuinely believe we should ban vented dryers like Switzerland did 30 years ago... And not "sorta ban" like gas stoves, I mean the government comes around to everyone's house and straight up confiscates any vented dryer related paraphernalia! 😂😂😂😂

[@macsterguy]

The LG seems to be slightly better build quality than the GE. The GE looks as though it’s easier to use every day…

[@bobposey402]

Thank you Frank! One question, please. After removing the screw and filter cover, what is the narrow metal tube on the left, in front of the condenser fins? Is it a humidity/dryness sensor?

[@GirlGoingGeek]

Quick question - I took apart the lint trap to do some cleaning shortly after running a wash and tub clean cycle. I found water and bubbles IN the lint trap. Is that to be expected? The day prior I had a notice of a drain blockage in the app, but no notice on the machine itself.

[@tanker242]

So you've had this thing a matter of, what weeks? That is a LOT of buildup. Waaaay more than the GE. With the GE when I clean the filter about every 20-50 loads or so I can go in there with a dryer brush and brush any accumulated lint. If people want to clean it even better you can use a tiny vacuum hose.... No unscrewing required. I'm not happy LG doesn't offer a separate heat pump warranty. Your SOL after 1 year.

[@Ultravorx]

I’ve had over 10 times the lint on the GE on the same amount of time. The amount shown after a weeks worth of running is same as one load on the GE. I did purchase the 2 year extended warranty. Either way, the purpose of these videos is to just show my experience with the machines and help people make an informed decision. When I bought mine there weren’t any videos.

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

Also, on the GE, the filter is easily modified to seal it almost 100% I noticed LG uses resistive heat, a regular heater to condensate the moisture to remove it, and is how they get away with such a small heat pump. Ben says it is used on "sanitization" mode. If LG believes in their heat pump, why not match GE @ 5 years? I suspect it could be factored into the price of the GE? The LG also has to have an inverter to turn AC to DC for the motor. A belt and AC motor has been around forever and is reliable.

[@Ultravorx]

@@BigEightiesNewWave I tried the modification. Both the tape and the rtv and both didn’t work. Still got same amount of bypass.

[@marcellusquincy3137]

Have you noticed the top of the unit gets extremely hot when drying?

[@JDmann807]

Yes mine does but not too hot to touch

[@therealSIRBOOM]

Wait. It has a water pump. But it doesn't drain that condensate on its own? You have to be kidding me.

[@spazzman90]

of course it does....

[@yeslawrence]

Have u tried the “coil cleaning mode”? I heard about it in Bens Appliances and junk channel. Sounds like it might automatically clean the coils after a certain number of loads or maybe there is a way to manually run the condenser cleaning mode. Idk, we don’t have this machine but are thinking of buying one.

[@Ultravorx]

Definitely not mode on the machine or in the app. However after every run the coil are wet and the lint trap is dry suggesting it’s washed after every run. I did try the tub cleaning cycle to see if it made a difference with the coils and it did not. For me the build up is so minimal and easy to remove it’s not a big deal. I’ve ordered a new 360 brush I’ll be testing out to see if it makes it easier to clean.

[@tanker242]

​​@@Ultravorxno the coils being wet has nothing to do with cleaning. That's merely condensation left over from the previous cycle. It's easier on the LG because it's probably really humid up there and the water will just condense on the coils and surrounding area. When I take the filter out of the GE I feel the humidity, and sometimes let it air out with the filter out and door open if I don't plan on doing a load for a while. I sense the LG is going to have mold problems for some people. The coils being wet is similar to drinking an ice cold coke on a hot day. You will notice water droplets on the side of your uninsulated drink cup. Same thing here, and this is how it's designed to remove the moisture from the air quickly. If warms the air a bit with the hot side, and then blows that air at high speed into the drum so the water on the clothes saturates the air. With the relative humility at 100% at the increased temperatures the air then leaves the drum through the lint filter and then hits the cold side of the heat pumps coils. With warm humid air rushing past really cold coils that stay above the freezing point the relative humidity of the air drastically drops causing condensation on the coils. Air flow is important so the coils don't freeze up which is a great reason to keep them clean. This is taking advantage of the fact cold air cannot hold as much water as warm air. The water turn flows off the coils into an area for the water to be collected. The BTU output of the GE is about twice that of the LG, so like the other KZbin suggested it might be possible they are using resistive heat to increase the temperature to increase drying capacity. The .2 later drum might also allow more air. Personally I like the GE better for these reasons, and the 5x longer HVAC warranty. To be fair I love the fact the LG is smaller and would definitely choose that if I didn't need the warranty peace of mind or if space was a factor. The GE is merely larger to make room for a larger blower motor and larger heat pump. The direct drive vs belt driven is mostly for noise reduction and a small efficiency gain. With the LG the design is more complex overall and I'm interested to see how it will do. LG is a great brand for washers/dryers for reliability, but I'm curious how this new design will do once it's put through it's paces. At this point beyond the points I've mentioned it's hard to pit the GE vs the LG since the GE has almost a year of data regarding it's reliability. A lot of the problems I've read about seem to be user error, but also is still GEs fault because they may not be educating the customer base enough. I've personally read the whole manual so I'm always surprised when I see people complain about clothes coming out wet. The manual specifically states to avoid heavy and light clothing so the spin cycle can be as balanced as possible and benefit from a high speed spin cycle.

[@tanker242]

​@@Ultravorxwhat kind of 360 brush do you plan on using. The brush I use isn't big enough in my opinion.

[@Ultravorx]

@@tanker242I bought a dog toothbrush that works really good. I added another video of it in use. Also has the link for the brush. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpTXfq2bl6d3eLMfeature=shared

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

Yes, it looks moldy.@@tanker242

[@HomeGuySolutions]

Frank, how is the machine holding up? I am sure you can flush the Coil the using the Same Method I do on the GE. www.youtube.com/@HomeGuySolutions