A machine that dries wet clothes by turning them in hot air is known as a tumble dryer. Many dryers have a rotating drum called a tumbler through which heated air is circulated to evaporate the moisture, whilst the tumbler rotates and keeps air space between the garments. The resulting humid, hot air is usually vented outside to make extra room for more dry air to continue the drying process. But with changing technology, today you can opt for a condenser tumble dryer or vented. Which is best? Read on…
The Differences
Condenser tumble dryers divert the damp hot air into a chamber that condenses it back into water and then collects it in a plastic tank that needs to be emptied manually, although it may be possible to have the dryer connected so that the collected water automatically goes into a drain. There will be a little extra humidity which may cause condensation in small rooms, but shouldn’t be much of a problem if the air can circulate.
Vented tumble dryers blow the hot air out through a large opening, so you ideally need a venting pipe attachment to avoid condensation. This pipe can be put through an outside wall with a proper venting kit, or you can position the pipe through an open window.
The Pros and Cons
The condenser tumble dryer is ideal for homes or flats where it’s difficult to vent a dryer to the outside and modern sophisticated dryers have many super energy saving features. Some condensers now have large heat pumps that recycle heat that used to be lost, and are cheaper to operate. Modern sensing programmes are designed to protect clothes, and you can choose the level of humidity to make ironing easier.
There can be an issue with the purchase costs as these are significantly higher, and the drying times are also longer. The dryers have a lot of parts which can be difficult to obtain, and even more awkward to fit! You’ll also need to clean the filters regularly to ensure the condenser chamber and water reservoir stay efficient. You should bear in mind that cheaper models may let damp air escape and cause condensation and mould issues.
The vented tumble dryer is cheaper to operate, simple, more reliable and often more economical to run. Research has shown that on average, these types of tumble dryers use about a fifth less energy than condenser dryers to dry a full load. Vented dryers also have fewer parts which are readily available to get. The flexible venting hose can cause problems if it kinks as it then traps water and fluff – you may need to cut it down to ensure a proper fit. This hose is also quite delicate so you need to take care not to damage it making leakage of damp air and fibres an issue. A wonky hose can cause a loss of function and overheating! You must regularly clean the filter to avoid any fire risks.
The Repairs
If things go wrong and you can’t fix the problem yourself, you’ll need to call in the professionals! Find a tumble dryer repair specialist in London with highly qualified engineers, trained to fix all types of models, offering solutions to all of your setbacks.
