Which is more energy-efficient, a vented or condenser tumble dryer?

Author: Wendy Wisozk Jr.  |  Last update: Saturday, July 5, 2025

Vented Tumble Dryers: Vented dryers expel moist air through a vent, usually connected to an external wall or window. They require proper ventilation around the machine and typically start at a lower price point – but they are less energy-efficient compared with condenser or heat pump dryers.

Which is cheaper to run, condenser or vented tumble dryer?

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.

What is the downside of a condenser tumble dryer?

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.

Which type of tumble dryer is most energy efficient?

Heat pump tumble dryers are one of the best types of tumble dryers on the market today. They're more energy efficient and cheaper to run, kinder to the environment, and provide better protection for your clothes. You can place them anywhere you like in your home with no issues.

What are the disadvantages of a vented tumble dryer?

They're also more economical to run than a condenser dryer. A few disadvantages include the susceptibility to breaking down. Delicate vent hoses and fixtures can easily become loose or damaged, and the location is limited due to the wall and window requirements. And useful features and functions are often unavailable.

Comparing energy usage of Heatpump, Vented and Condenser tumble dryers

Why are vented tumble dryers being phased out?

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.

Where should you not put a condenser tumble dryer?

Here are three places that aren't suitable for housing a tumble dryer:
  1. Garage. The garage is a no-go area for installing your tumble dryer. ...
  2. Under the stairs. The space under your stairs is fantastic for storage. ...
  3. Inside a cupboard.

Do vented tumble dryers use a lot of electricity?

Vented dryers use about a fifth less energy than a condensed dryer would use to dry a full load, but if you have a super energy efficient dryer with a heat pump then they are even more efficient.

Which tumble dryers use less electricity?

Heat Pump Tumble Dryers

Heat Pump dryers are said to be the most energy-efficient dryers, as they do not require a lot of electricity. Like condenser dryers, these dryers also have an energy rating between A+++ to B. Both a heat pump tumble dryer and a condenser dryer are designed to dry clothing efficiently.

Which type of tumble dryer is cheapest to run?

Saving energy and saving money go hand in hand here. The most energy-efficient tumble dryers – hence the cheapest to run – are heat pump tumble dryers. Condenser dryers come next, closely followed by vented dryers. Gas tumble dryers are comparable to heat pump dryers in terms of energy efficiency and cost.

Is it worth buying a condenser tumble dryer?

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.

Do condenser dryers use more electricity?

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.

When should you not use a tumble dryer?

Don't leave appliances unattended – don't turn the tumble dryer on before you leave the house or go to bed. Tumble dryers contain powerful motors with fast moving parts that can get very hot.

What's the best tumble dryer on the market?

Best Reviewed Tumble Dryers
  • Hotpoint ActiveCare 9kg Heat Pump Tumble Dryer - White. ...
  • Bosch Series 4 8kg Heat Pump Tumble Dryer - White. ...
  • Indesit Turn&Go 8kg Condenser Tumble Dryer - White. ...
  • Hotpoint 4kg Compact Vented Tumble Dryer - White. ...
  • electriQ 12kg Heat Pump Tumble Dryer - White. ...
  • Beko 10kg Condenser Tumble Dryer - White.

What is the most energy efficient dryer?

All heat pump dryers meet the criteria for ENERGY STAR Most Efficient. A heat pump dryer works as a closed loop system by heating the air and using it to remove moisture from the clothes, then reusing that air once the moisture is removed.

Can you still buy vented tumble dryers?

Vented dryers are available in a range of drum sizes and styles, with a model to suit every budget, so are an ideal choice option for making laundry day easier. We stock appliances from every major brand, including Bosch, AEG and Whirlpool, all at competitive prices.

Which dryer has least problems?

If you're looking for a washer and dryer that will last a long time, Samsung is right up there with LG and Whirlpool in terms of longevity. Like Maytag, Samsung appliances typically require fewer repairs.

Which tumble dryer is best, vented or condenser?

If your main priority is speed and you're less concerned about energy efficiency a vented model is probably the best option for you, especially if you already have a hole in the outside wall from a previous dryer.

What to consider when buying a tumble dryer?

  1. Buying Guides.
  2. Crease Care Feature. If you can't empty the machine straight away, the crease care feature will continue to give fabrics an intermittent tumble at the end of the cycle, so they don't crease in the drum.
  3. Cool air setting. ...
  4. Sensor drying. ...
  5. Quiet mark. ...
  6. Time delay. ...
  7. Smart tech. ...
  8. Energy efficiency.

How much does it cost to run a tumble dryer for 1 hour?

How much does it cost to run a tumble dryer for an hour? According to Heatable, a 2500W tumble dryer costs about 85p to use for an hour. However, the tumble dryer cost per hour depends on the energy efficiency rating of your tumble dryer and the cost of energy at the time.

Does a vented dryer need to be vented outside?

With a gas dryer, you need to have effective external ventilation installed, and for a vented dryer, you need either proper ventilation, or to have doors and windows open to avoid turning your laundry into a steamy wet room.

What are the disadvantages of a heat pump tumble dryer?

What are the disadvantages of a heat pump tumble dryer?
  • They cost more to buy. Although the price of heat pump tumble dryers have gone down over the last few years, they still cost considerably more to buy than the other types of tumble dryer.
  • They dry clothes slower.

What are the disadvantages of a condenser tumble dryer?

Cons of condenser dryers:
  • More expensive to run than heat pump tumble dryers.
  • Not as energy efficient as heat pump models.
  • Need to empty the water container on a regular basis.
  • A little more expensive to buy than vented models.

How often do you have to empty a condenser tumble 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.

Can you put a tumble dryer on carpet without?

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. 2. Only put items in the tumble dryer which are suitable for tumble drying. Items which aren't suitable can be a fire risk if tumble dried.

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