Condenser Tumble Dryer: Looking for the Right One
How to choose the dryer that best suits your needs: useful tips and advice, best online deals
If you're like many people who live in apartments or duplexes, you have limited options about the types of appliances you can install. Though you might not mind using the oven that the unit came with, you might want to install new items for extra convenience, such as a washer and dryer. Unfortunately, washers and dryers can require additional piping, vents and cooling systems to be installed as well. It is important to check with your building owners before installing any washers or dryers, because many will have limitations about what you can install.
A condenser tumble dryer is a popular option for many renters because it does not require an outside vent. You will need piping installed, but you will have more options about where you can place the dryer. The condenser tumble dryer can effectively go anywhere within your home, because it does not need to have a direct line to an outside vent. This makes it easy to place it anywhere that is convenient for you.
Before you buy a new dryer, it's important to understand the differences between a vented tumble dryer and a condenser tumble dryer. You'll also need to know all the features to look for in a condenser tumble dryer, so that you can choose a model that will be worth the investment.
The Differences Between a Vented and a Condenser Tumble Dryer
Generally, there are two types of tumble dryers that you'll be able to choose from: vented tumble dryers and condenser tumble dryers. Many homeowners have vented tumble dryers, which release heat through a venting system that goes directly outdoors. In order to have a vented tumble dryer, you will actually have to have a hole put into your wall and a venting system connected from your dryer to this hole. It is an easy way to dry your clothes, though it can drive up your heating bill. The dryer continually draws new air in and heats it throughout the cycle. This can be wasteful, as it uses more power to heat the air than to reuse the already heated air, as condenser tumble dryers do.
A condenser tumble dryer recycles heat by cooling the air that is already heated with a heat exchanger. This turns the heated air into steam, which will gather in a collection tank and turn into water, which can then be run through the cycle again. When you have a condenser tumble dryer, you will have to empty this water reservoir after each load, but this is usually a small task to complete in exchange for the benefits you will gain. Because condenser tumble dryers recycle the heat during the load, they use less energy overall. You'll see reductions in your electricity and heating bills, while also helping the environment. Additionally, you don't have to worry about having a venting system installed when you have a condenser tumble dryer. The piping you will need to install does not have to have a direct line outside, so you are able to put the dryer anywhere in your home.
Why You'll Love Your Condenser Tumble Dryer
People who have condenser tumble dryers usually love their dryers because of the convenience they enjoy and the money they save on bills. Though you will normally have to pay a bit more upfront for a condenser tumble dryer, you'll enjoy greater savings over the lifetime of it. Most dryers typically last for at least 10 years, so the savings you'll gain over this time can be enormous. You can also avoid the trouble of having to reorganize your home in order to place the dryer somewhere need an exterior wall. Finally, if your home does not already have a venting system installed, you can avoid this expensive and difficult process by simply choosing a condenser tumble dryer.
» Go to Part 2: What to Look for in a Condenser Tumble Dryer