Both a heat pump tumble dryer and a condenser dryer are both designed to dry clothing efficiently. However, the main difference between the two is how they generate heat to do the job. A condenser, which is what a large portion of customers are used to, uses a heater element to generate heat, which dries clothing.
Energy use
We've previously found condenser dryers to not be very energy efficient. Along with older vented varieties, they use around three times more energy to dry a load than their heat pump counterparts. This means vented and condenser dryers cost more to run in the long term than a heat pump.
Vented dryers tend to be faster. Condenser tumble dryers and heat pump dryers tend to be more energy efficient. Vent free dryers tend to be higher priced than vented. There are trade offs with each type of dryer. In Europe where energy costs are m...
A good airflow is the key for a dryer to work properly. If your clothes are still wet after a drying cycle it could mean that the Air Vent is clogged. To fix this problem, you will have to unplug the dryer and disconnect it from the vent. Once everything is disconnected, it's time to vacuum the vent.
Condenser tumble dryers remove moisture in a different way to vented, they do not need an external vent, so you can put your condenser dryer wherever you need it to fit.
Both a heat pump tumble dryer and a condenser dryer are both designed to dry clothing efficiently. However, the main difference between the two is how they generate heat to do the job. A condenser, which is what a large portion of customers are used to, uses a heater element to generate heat, which dries clothing.
A blocked filter drawer or condenser may cause longer drying times. These filters catch fluff and fibres that seep through the lint filter. They need to be cleaned periodically or when the filter drawer cleaning warning symbol lights up (if available).
One of the most common reasons a dryer takes too long to dry clothes is that it's overloaded. When you overload a dryer, it can't circulate enough air around the clothes to dry them properly. As a result, they'll take longer to dry and may not be completely dry when they come out.
Wash the condenser with cold running water to remove all of the fluff that may be built up inside the condenser. Make sure all of the fluff has been flushed out to keep your dryer working efficiently and dry the clothes quickly.
As mentioned, one of the main benefits of buying a condenser tumble dryer is the fact you can place it anywhere in your home or garage, since they don't require a hose to remove the moisture. This is hugely beneficial if you need a tumble dryer but have little choice in where you place the machine.
Air-vented dryers draw air from the room in which they are installed, heat it and lead it through the humid clothing in the drum to evaporate the moisture. The humid air is then expelled to the external environment. Air-vented dryers thus require an exhaust to the outside, making them less practical.
One of the most popular advantages of condenser tumble dryers is that they don't need an external vent, so you can pretty much install it anywhere at home. However, they are less energy efficient than heat pump tumble dryers. This is because air has to be converted into water, which requires a ton of energy.
Running costs for a condenser tumble dryer
An 8kg example of a condenser tumble dryer uses 5.6kWh of electricity for a standard cycle and roughly 560kWh per year. This works out as £1.68 per use or £168 per year.
Heat pump tumble dryers use a compressor, so it's not unusual to hear metallic noises while the machine is in operation. It is also normal to hear pumping sounds as water is pumped to the water tank in both heat pump and condenser tumble dryers.
The most common reason for this is because the condenser has become blocked, much like your filter.
Clothes that are soaking wet or dripping are heavy and this added weight in a standard dryer could damage it as it spins the load around. Always let your washer fully complete its spin cycle before removing the damp clothes and putting them in your dryer.
You should clear out the filter and empty the water tank after every cycle. As for a deep clean, including washing the drum and condenser unit, it depends on how much you use your dryer. If you use it every day, monthly is enough. If you use it more than once a day, clean it every one to two weeks.
If you notice dry times are slower, or your clothes remain damp after a cycle, make sure your lint screen is clean and that the vent hose behind your dryer isn't crushed. Keep in mind that larger laundry loads can take longer to dry, depending on the size of your dryer.
Try cleaning the condenser and the lint filter. We recommend cleaning the condenser after every 30 cycles whereas the fluff filter and tank should be done after every use. If this does not solve the problem, you may need an engineer.
Condenser Tumble Dryers
They actually take longer to dry clothes making them less efficient and can be more expensive than a vented dryer to purchase. And you'll need to empty out the water tank regularly.
As long as there is ventilation in the cupboard it will work fine. The machine needs to "suck" in fresh air and "push" out moist air (the condenser doesn't take 100% moisture out so there's always a little moisture in the expelled air). Either the cupboard door ajar or a vent in the door will allow it to work fine.
Don't place the tumble dryer on carpet: The dryer will get hot and fluff can catch in the carpet pile which is a fire risk.