Dryer technology explained.

​Relying on the weather for dry clothes is really hard – especially in the UK and in winter. Dryers make life easier but with so many different types, including heat pump, condenser, sensor and vented dryers, deciding on one can be difficult. Here’s an overview of the different types of dryers to help make your decision-making easier.

CONDENSER DRYER
No Venting Needed

• Condense the moisture inside the dryer into water then pump it into a water tank or out through a hose to the drain depending on the model.
• Don’t need to be vented or ducted to expel hot air outside so they’re simple to install and great for when you’re renting.
• Increase the moisture levels in the room so ideally should be in a well-ventilated room to prevent potential condensation and mould growth.
• Need to have the water tank emptied after each use or a hose installed to channel the water directly into the drain or sink.
• Are generally more expensive than vented dryers.

HEAT PUMP DRYER
Most Energy Efficient and No Venting Needed

• Use a heat pump to heat the air and dry clothes – the warm damp air is cooled to remove the water that’s collected in a reservoir or channeled to a drain, and cool air is then reheated and recycled inside.
• Heat pump dryers don’t need ducted venting to the outside and don’t create hot air or moisture in the room – making them perfect for apartments.
• Are the most energy efficient dryers, so while heat pump dryers are more expensive, the upfront cost is recouped on power bills over the dryer’s lifetime.
• Heat pump dryers use less than half the energy per load than a condenser dryer or a traditional dryer.

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​SENSOR DRYER
Smart Sensors Save Energy

• Use sensor technology to detect when clothes are dry then stops to save energy and prevent over-drying that can damage clothes.
• Have front and/or rear venting.
• Allow you to choose how much humidity you want left in your load – for example it’s easier to iron with 8-12% humidity in the fabric and it also saves energy.
• Are more expensive than timer-only driers but do save you on your energy bills because they only dry clothes for as long as is needed.

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​VENTED DRYER
Affordable with Outside Ducting

• Blow hot air through the clothes which evaporates the water, then the hot humid air is blown out of the dryer to the outside of your house through a venting duct.
• Generate a lot of warm, moist air so need to be ducted outside or in a well-ventilated laundry to prevent mould forming on walls and ceilings.
• Are the cheapest dryers to buy but running costs and how much this works out to be on your power bills should be considered.
• Either come with a ducting kit or the ducting kit is an optional extra.

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