As with any other home appliances, there are various types of tumble dryers to choose for your home’s requirements. When shopping for a new dryer, it can be helpful to consider the features that are most important to you. Along with the new dryer investing in appliance insurance is better for the long run in case of any breakdowns you face with the equipment.
People have been asking questions about dryers for years, from the types available to practical places to fit them in the home. We think you might find them here if you’ve also been looking for answers to your tumble dryer questions.
Types of Tumble Dryers
When you shop for a tumble dryer, the differences among models are quite minor for most of us. But there are three main types of the dryer to consider: heat pump tumble dryers, condenser tumble dryers and vented dryers.
1. Heat Pump Dryer
A heat pump dryer works by pushing warm air through a drum containing clothes. Moisture is carried to the reservoir at the machine’s base, from where it is pumped out again once the clothes are dry.
2. Condenser Dryers
These dryers work similarly to heat pump dryers, except they have two airflows. It uses a heat source (like natural gas or electricity) and a refrigerant to remove moisture from clothing. The clothes are heated inside the machine, which draws water. As air is heated in one chamber of the machine, it passes through a condenser. The condenser cools this air, which turns the water vapour into liquid water. This water is pumped outside through a hose or a tank.
3. Vented Dryers
Compared to a heat pump or condenser dryer, vented dryers draw moisture from clothing and expel it through a hose or vent. There is no conversion or compression of the vapour involved.
In addition to the above, some washer-dryers can be combined into a single unit. These are ideal for living in small apartments or houses where space is limited—but they still provide the convenience of drying clothes quickly.
Are tumble dryers worth the cost?
Whether or not to purchase a tumble dryer depends on the homeowner’s needs, as well as many other factors. Some homes don’t have gardens to hang clothes; others might not have room for a dryer indoors. There are many pros and cons to consider when purchasing such an appliance, including cost.
Over the last few years, manufacturers have made great strides in reducing the energy efficiency of products, so a tumble dryer may not be as expensive to operate as you might think.
Ratings for tumble-dryer efficiency have been simplified. Most condenser dryers can be classified as being between B and C in terms of efficiency, while heat pump dryers are now given A+ ratings. However, fewer vented dryers have yet to reach this standard. Condenser types appear to be the most energy-efficient tumble dryers available.
Find out Which Tumble Dryer is the Quickest?
Conduct a test in which you can discover that the type of tumble dryer you have can greatly impact how long it takes to dry clothing. Traditionally, condenser tumble dryers are the fastest, and heat pump dryers are among the slowest. However, this isn’t always the case, so it’s a good idea to shop around and find one that best suits your needs.
Where to place a Tumble Dryer?
The physical space requirements for a tumble dryer differ from those of other white goods because the appliance requires adequate ventilation. Both heat pumps and condenser dryers require adequate space to expel air and moisture vapour.
Heat pump dryers should be placed in rooms with at least 2 to 3 square metres of space for optimum performance. It is dependent on the manufacturer’s instructions, of course. Without proper clearance of space, the air will warm the room and make the dryer work harder, making it less efficient. So putting a condenser dryer in a cupboard would not be good.
Do we have small Tumble Dryers for less space?
If you are struggling to find space for a laundry room, there are options available, but these may not be effective for larger households that do large amounts of laundry.
Compact tumble dryers are smaller versions of full-size models, able to dry very small loads – around two days’ worth of washing for a person. Other types of compact dryers are available that can take advantage of limited space in smaller homes or flats.
We hope this information has helped you decide whether or not a tumble dryer is right for you. If you require more information, including how to repair a faulty appliance, please let us know. It is always recommended to buy kitchen appliance insurance for safety in case of dryer problems.
