Clothes Dryers

VENTED DRYERS

Vented tumble dryers are your traditional type of drying appliance. These dryers are on the cheaper end of the market as the damp air that is produced during the drying process is expelled from the dryer. It is for this reason that this type of dryer will need to be situated near a external wall, window or door. Vented dryers are sometimes supplied with a ventilation hose so that the moist air can be expelled though a window or permanent vents can be fitted onto outside walls. Vented dryers can be stacked.

CONDENSER DRYERS

Condenser clothes dryers work by separating the moisture from the air and the water vapour is then expelled into container that will need to be manually emptied or expelled though a plumbing hose. You won’t need an external hose to vent the air making it convenient for you to place the dryer where you like but it is a good idea to place the appliance in a ventilated room as the air vented out can be quite warm. Condenser dryers can be stacked but due to the appliances weight it can't be wall mounted.

HEAT-PUMP CONDENSER DRYERS

Heat pump dryers can be more costly than other dryers but have the advantage of using less energy to run than other electric dryers. These dryers work like condenser dryers except that they recycle the hot air used to dry the clothing. This means that the air vented out from the dryer is dry and cool and won't fog up your mirrors and windows. Another great thing about heat pump dryers is that they are very quiet compared to other dryers and are also gentle on your fabrics. You can place this dryer anywhere in your home as long as there is power to the unit.

GAS DRYERS

Gas dryers are very similar to vented electric tumble dryers with the exception that they use gas instead of electricity. Most houses don't have gas outlets in their laundry so keep in mind that you will need to hire a registered engineer to install this machine for you which can be costly. That being said, gas dryers are the cheapest to run as they use approximately 60% less energy than other dryers on the market.

CAPACITY

Dryer capacity is measured in kilograms just the same as washer capacity. This measurement refers to dry clothes not damp ones. Before selecting your dryer you should consider if you will be drying just a few items or entire wash loads. As a guide, a 5-7kg dryer is perfect for a family of 4. Make sure you don't over fill your dyer as it will reduce the machines efficiency while using more energy and time. Dryers with larger drums improve hot air flow making the product more efficient and will shorten the time it would take or the clothes to dry.

ENERGY CONSUMPTION

Dryers can consume a fair bit of energy if used regularly. Apart from selecting a gas dryer or a dryer with a higher energy efficiency label there are other ways to minimise your carbon footprint and save on energy costs. Some ways of doing this include buying a washing machine that has a higher spin rate so that your clothes are less damp and will take less time to dry, avoid over loading the dryer, dry similar fabrics together, find a sensor dryer that will automatically shut off once the clothes are dry and dry your loads one after another as the drum would already be heated and minimise energy consumption used to re heat the drum.

WALL MOUNTING & STACKING

If you find that you are limited with floor space in your laundry most dryers can be either stacked on top of your front loading washing machine or mounted onto your laundry room wall. Keep in mind that if you decide to stack your product there are mats and stacking kits that can be placed between the washer and the dryer that prevent damage and vibration noise during use. Wall mounting is a great idea but you may find that wall mounting kits are sold separately and some kits can only be purchased from the manufacturer and won’t work with products of other brands. If you want to wall mount your appliance take note of where the lint filter is located before purchasing as lint filters placed at the front of the machine will be easier to access once mounted onto your wall.

MAINTENANCE & SAFETY

A well maintained machine will not only be safer to use but will have a longer lifespan too. If your dryer has a lint filter it is absolutely necessary to empty and clean this filter after every load. Without regular cleaning the fluff in the lint filter can reduce the efficiency of your machine or potentially pose a fire risk.

SETTINGS & PROGRAMS

All dryers have similar settings and programs that are put in place to care for your clothes or make life easier. Not all dryers have the same programs so it is a good idea to take a look at what additional settings you can get before buying.

• Reverse tumbling - the barrel will alternate the direction of the tumble cycle regularly which dries clothes more evenly and can minimise the chances of tangling.
• Drying rack - You can find models that have a small drying rack that can be used for items you are not ready to tumble due to fabric differences.
• Anti-crease - Prevents the creasing of clothes when you can’t empty the dryer after the cycle has ended by occasionally tumbling the clothing until you're ready to remove the items.
• Sensor - Detects when the clothes are dry and automatically ceases drying.
• Cottons, delicates and synthetics - Programs that you can select based on the fabrics you need to dry.
• Iron dry, normal dry and extra dry - Programs that can leave the clothes from slightly damp to dry as bone depending on what your needs are.
• Cold tumble - No heat tumble which is great for airing out items that have sat in the cupboard for too long.

NOISE

Tumble dryers do make quite a bit of noise. Consider the place you will be placing the dryer. Is it too close to your bedrooms or other living areas? Perhaps there might be another location in your home that would be better suited. You can also find dryers that have a dampener system that cushions around the drum that will help eliminate some noise.

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