Looking for a tumble dryer but not sure where to start? We’ve got you. Laundry appliances aren’t an everyday purchase, and all the jargon can make things a bit complicated.
The first thing you’ll see when looking for a tumble dryer is that there are three main types: vented, heat pump and condenser. So what’s the difference? Vented tumble dryers remove all the moisture they collect through a hose that leads outside. In other words, you’ll need a decent space to place it near a window or door.
Heat pump tumble dryers separate the water from the warm air circulating in the drum. They then re-pump the air back in to dry your clothes faster. Condenser tumble dryers collect the water vapour in a container, so they’ll need emptying. But that also means you can place them virtually anywhere at room temperature. That makes them ideal for homes where it's difficult to vent a dryer to the outside. They’re pretty good for the environment too.
Plus, once you know how to maintain your condenser dryer, you’ll get great results every single time. Easy. We’ll show you how:
How does a condenser dryer work?
Condenser tumble dryers remove humidity using two separate airflows. Air re-circulates inside the machine and is heated, then it’s passed through the damp clothes where it picks up the moisture.
The damp air is then passed through the condenser in one direction while the room air is passed through the condenser in the other. This causes the moisture in the air to condense into water - which is then pumped to the water tank, or out through the hose (if you choose to have the dryer plumbed in).
Sensor drying
Most new condenser tumble dryers feature sensor drying technology. That means instead of a simple timer, where you choose how long the cycle lasts, the dryer is smart enough to know exactly when the clothes have reached the optimal dryness level.
Sensor dryers have different cycles to suit the fabrics you’re drying. Many dryers have a load of different cycles for jeans, cottons, towels, and even for laundry that’s going to be ironed. The sensors know exactly when to stop, which keeps your clothes good as new and your energy bills low.
What about any extra humidity?
Ideally, you should fit a condenser dryer in a well-ventilated room that lets some of the warm air escape. The air from the dryer can raise the room temperature and condense air moisture onto cold surfaces like walls and windows. If the air can circulate around the room, that shouldn’t happen.
Is the lint/dust filter clean?
Make sure to clear out the lint after each cycle. Around 70% of the wear on clothes is due to general wear - but 20% is from washing, with the remaining 10% attributed to drying. Removing the lint every time means that hot air can escape, so the dryer won’t overheat.
How full is the water tank?
When the tank is full, your machine will interrupt the cycle to keep your tumble dryer running smoothly. So, be sure to empty the water after every cycle.
What fabrics are in your load?
Here’s a super useful tip - drying similar types of clothing together will help. If the load contains a mixture of cotton and synthetics, the synthetics will dry much faster than a cotton-only load. The sensors will also detect that the load is dry and finish the cycle. However, cotton clothes may still be damp.
What is the size of your load?
If the load is too large, you might not get the best results. A load that’s too big for the drum cannot be completely dried because there isn’t enough space for the air to circulate. That can also trip the overheating thermostat, so don’t rush to pile all your laundry in at once. You’ll know when there’s too much there.
Plenty of condenser dryers with sensor drying tech also have a timed cycle option. When you use this, the sensing circuit is disconnected. So, don’t leave your clothes to dry longer than they need!
Even if you're used to using a vented dryer for years, it only takes a few simple adjustments to adapt to condenser drying. Give it a go - you won’t regret installing one.
And make sure to visit ShopLive too. Our in-store experts can give you a load of great info on all things tumble dryers. And you won’t even have to leave the sofa to get it.
