A tumble dryer can make laundry time that bit more bearable by removing the need to hang and dry your clothes. But, with three primary types that include condenser, vented and heat pump which one should you pick? which one is suitable for your home?
Contrary to vented tumblers, which require a vent to remove the hot air, the heat pump tumbler recycles the air, removing moisture from your clothes.
Condenser dryers
In a condenser dryer moisture from your clothes evaporates into water inside the tumble drum. The water is then stored in a condensation container inside the appliance, which you have to empty regularly. They don't require an attachment to a external exhaust duct so you can place them wherever. They are also quieter than vented dryers.
A condenser tumble dryer typically has a 'cool' setting that reduces the temperature of drying to help your clothes last longer and stop shrinking. They could also have a self-clean cycle that automatically washes the inside of your drum every 4 drying cycles and cleans out any lint that accumulates when you use it. Some models can even inform you when your laundry is dry, to avoid over-drying.
If you choose a stand-alone model or an integrated tumble dryer, you'll be able to find a range of convenient features like anti-vibration or an anti-wrinkle feature. Some models reverse the drum during the process to stop the pieces from becoming a tangled ball or 'laundry sausage', which could harm your clothes.
Vented and heat pump tumble dryers take time to dry your clothes. Therefore, you should consider the type of setting in which they'll be placed. For instance when you're on a tight schedule and want your laundry done quickly, a vented tumbler will be best as it can be positioned close to an outside wall or window.
You may also want to consider a heat-pump tumble dryer that has a closed loop system. They don't need vents, so you can put them in any well-ventilated room. These machines take longer to dry since they need to heat the air to remove moisture before they can remove it. However, they're extremely efficient in terms of energy consumption, which is good for the environment and your pocket. You can also purchase a tumble dryer that has an integrated washing machine or washer dryer combo which is very convenient for busy families.
Vented dryers
Ventilated dryers use hot dry air to evaporate and take away the moisture from your clothing. This process requires lots of energy, and vented dryers can be expensive to run. They also have to be installed in a space with an exhaust pipe that connects to the outside of your house, which may require a more permanent installation. The exhaust can cause your home's temperature rise, so it must be able to vent into an open space.
If you're considering purchasing vented tumble dryers, it's important to understand that they take longer to dry than condenser or heat pump models, which are designed with energy efficiency in mind. This is because they rely on dry, hot air to evaporate moisture. Your clothes will therefore be exposed to higher temperatures for a longer period of. If you choose an air-ventilated dryer, make sure to clean the lint filter and follow the recommendations by the manufacturer. This will help you save energy and prolong the lifespan of your dryer.
Traditionally, the way vented dryers work is by blowing hot air over tumbling clothes and venting this warm, damp air into a duct that leads to the outside of your home. It is a simple process that is effective, but it requires a lot of electricity. It is also a problem in certain homes, if the vent isn't accessible or it is not in a proper location.
Vented tumble dryers are the most popular choice in America however in Europe they aren't as popular. Some countries, including Switzerland have banned them. In small houses or structures with small spaces, they can be difficult to install. In Europe, the smaller dryers, measuring 24 inches in diameter that are called compact vented dryers by Americans are the most suitable option. These dryers have a smaller drum size and capacity of 4-6kg which means they can be easily placed in the smallest of laundry rooms.
Heat pump dryers
Heat pump dryers use closed loop technology to move energy through a process that is contained within the dryer. There's no need for a vent in order to remove the humid air, and it can be set up anywhere in your home. This includes the basement, bedroom or laundry room.
A heat pump clothes dryer makes use of cooler air to dry your clothes instead of releasing hot air like vented clothes dryers. This reduces drying time, but it also means your clothes will feel more comfortable when they're done.
The air is drawn into the dryer from the outside and forced through a set of fins on the colder side. These fins are heated with electricity. Then, it passes through an other set of coils, where moisture is condensed and then drained. The warm air that is being blown back into the drum has less moisture. This lower air temperature is much more effective at pulling water from your clothes. It also is more gentle on delicate items like elastics.
This method is a bit slower than traditional vented drying, but it is more efficient and can help reduce the carbon footprint of your laundry. As NYC's electric grid transitions from a halving of natural gas to a greater proportion of renewable energy sources, this type of dryer is a great method to benefit from those newer greener energy sources.
The resulting dryers are more sustainable than a traditional vented dryer or an ENERGY STAR tumble dryer. The operating expenses are significantly less, and a lot of families can save hundreds of dollars a year by using this kind of dryer.
It is always a good idea to make your dryer more efficient in terms of energy use. The dryer is the biggest energy consumer in a home, and it is important to optimize its efficiency. A tumble dryer with a heat pump is a great way to accomplish this, and it will also offer you a more comfortable and efficient drying experience. This is a great choice for those who want to switch from a standard tumble dryer to one with a heat pump or even to replace an old, inefficient dryer.
Choose a tumble dryer
A tumble dryer is among the most essential appliances in modern homes. They are utilized for a variety of laundry chores, including delicate bedding, delicate clothing and towels, so it's crucial to select the right model for your requirements. When selecting a new tumbler, you must consider the capacity, size, and energy efficiency.
Tumble dryers are typically free-standing or built in behind cabinets, in order to match the style of your kitchen and blend in your space. You'll have to consider the amount of laundry you do every week and if you prefer a dryer with a large drum or one that has less capacity for your budget.
All of our tumble dryers have been rated to ensure that they are as energy-efficient as possible. You can cut down on your energy bills by selecting models that have higher energy ratings.
The majority of models have a range of wash cycles, giving you the option to select the best settings for each type of fabric and wash cycle. Other useful features can include a reverse tumble option to stop tangled clothes and an anti-allergy system which eliminates dust mites which is particularly beneficial for allergy sufferers.
Some models also come with the drum-light that is lit when the tumble dryer is running so you can monitor the progress of the cycle and know what's inside. This is an excellent way to avoid over-loading the machine, which can waste energy, and also not forgetting to take an item as small as an unintentional sock.
If you're in search of a smart tumble dryer we have a range of different options to suit your needs as a homeowner. There are models that connect to Wi-Fi and are controlled via a smartphone app that allows you to start, pause, and monitor your drying cycles from anywhere. Some can even be controlled using voice commands, provided you have an assistant like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant installed in your home. You can set the appliance to run a program on a schedule or set a helpful reminder to remind you to shut off the appliance after it's done.
