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.
Depending on the set up, the tumble dryer may have an optional drainage hose connected which will automatically drain the water. However, if this is not connected then the water will need to be drained manually. The unit itself will need to be emptied regularly, or whenever the drawer appears full.
The most important thing we can recommend to lower the risks associated with this type of home appliance is to regularly empty and clean your lint filter. Lint clogging up the filter will restrict the air flow and so it is always important to keep this part of your appliance well maintained.
Vented and standard condenser dryers don't require any plumbing. However, some condenser and heat pump models offer a direct drain option, which requires a connection to a nearby drain pipe. If your model has this feature, you'll need to connect it to a suitable drainage point, similar to a washing machine.
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.
One of the simplest appliances in your home, a well maintained tumble dryer should last for around 10 to 15 years (Daily Finance).
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.
For a good maintenance, the condensation tumble dryer's tank should be emptied after every cycle.
A vented tumble dryer will be more cost effective than a condenser in both the purchase and running stages, if you are able to find somewhere to run the hose externally. It will also dry your clothes more quickly than a condenser dryer, as it is not required to spend time converting the hot air into water.
Should I unplug electrical appliances when not in use? Yes, unplugging electrical devices saves electricity and reduces the chance of an electrical fire.
By 'recycling' the warm air, they use less energy and are cheaper to run. According to Ideal Home, a 9kg condenser tumble dryer uses 5.2 kWh for a full load. That's a cost of £1.46 per cycle and £172.76 annually – almost as much as a vented model. In contrast, a 9kg heat pump tumble dryer uses 2.16 kWh for a full load.
Condenser dryers generate water, just like an air conditioner does. If water is leaking out, then either the water collection tank is full and overflowing, or the drain is clogged and overflowing.
If you have a condenser tumble dryer, you must make sure the condenser is kept clean otherwise performance will be reduced and drying time, increased.
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.
The tumble dryer gives off heat to the surroundings and if the heat hits cold walls, windows, etc., condensation/moisture will form on the cold surfaces. (It is the air humidity in the room which condenses.) Make sure that the tumble dryer is located in a room with a temperature of around 20°C.
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.
Full water tank
If it uses a water tank (more likely), then this needs to be removed and emptied periodically. Otherwise, the dryer will stop working. Removing the tank is usually straightforward, so you might as well get into the habit of doing it after each wash.
Condenser tumble dryer running costs
Condenser tumble dryers collect moisture in a reservoir that needs emptying after each cycle. They're slightly more energy-efficient than vented models, using about 5.2 kWh for a full load cycle. At current rates, this equates to roughly £1.27 per cycle.
General Cleaning Schedule: Once a Year
This ensures that your air conditioning system is operating at its peak performance when you need it most. During this cleaning, a technician will remove debris, dirt, and any buildup around the condenser, ensuring there is adequate airflow for optimal heat exchange.
The key benefit to buying a vented tumble dryer is that they cost less than condenser dryers, and so the upfront costs are lower. The other advantage that vented tumble dryers hold over condenser dryers is that since they vent moisture straight outside, there is no water reservoir to empty.
Attach one end of the vent hose to the exhaust vent on the back of the dryer. Route the vent hose to the outside vent opening, keeping the hose as straight and short as possible. Secure the vent hose connections with clamps or duct tape.
When compared to a heat pump dryer, a condenser dryer can be costly and is less energy efficient. Using a closed-loop heat exchange system, heat pump tumble dryers dry clothes at a lower temperature, keeping energy usage low and providing better protection for your laundry.