Gas clothes dryers work the same way as conventional dryers, but use natural gas instead of electricity as a heat source. It will still take years for the lower running costs to offset your initial outlay, but with prices of heat pump condensers coming down and energy costs rising, heat pump condenser dryers are becoming a more viable option. But if you use your dryer a lot, then it's a sensible financial choice as it'll save you money overall. They're also really heavy, so you can't wall mount one, though you may be able to stack a heat pump dryer on top of a front-loading washing machine to save space – ideally one from the same manufacturer, and secured with a stacking kit.Īll this complexity comes with a high price tag, so if you only use your dryer occasionally, it may not be worth it. ![]() Just as with a condenser dryer, you'll still have to empty the drain tank periodically, or plumb it into a drain. Heat pump condenser dryers take a little longer to dry a typical load of laundry because they use lower temperatures than a vented dryer, but this means they're gentler on your clothes.Īnd because they capture and reuse their heat energy, they don't vent hot air at all, so there's no moisture fogging up your laundry and hot air. This makes them expensive to buy but cheap to run, because by capturing and reusing their heat energy, they use around 63% less energy than an equivalent-sized vented dryer. Heat pump condenser dryers use the same heat exchange principles as a reverse-cycle air conditioner to heat the air they use to dry your clothes. Longer drying time than a vented dryer.Condenser tank must be drained regularly.Generally larger capacity than a vented dryer.The water extracted can be used to water plants.Suitable for houses where running a venting duct is impractical.Doesn't vent hot, wet air into your laundry.Best of all, they're more versatile than a vented dryer because good ventilation isn't as important. Not all models will be stackable on all washing machines, so check with your dryer manufacturer first.Ĭondenser dryers also have longer cycle times than a vented dryer, but they're typically gentler on your clothes. They're also heavier, which means they're not suitable for wall mounting, but if you have a front-loading washing machine, you may be able to stack it on top to save space. ![]() You'll need to remember to empty the condenser tank regularly (though you can use it to water your plants) or plumb the machine into a drain.Ĭondenser dryers are more robust and complex than a vented dryer, which means they'll typically offer a larger capacity and quieter operation, but it does mean they're more expensive than an equivalent vented model. The exhaust air from a condenser dryer will still be warm, but won't be anywhere near as damp, so you won't have to worry about water dripping down the walls. Unlike vented dryers, which push moist hot air straight out of the dryer into your home, condenser dryers use a heat exchanger to condense moisture from the exhaust air and either collect it in a reservoir or drain it away.
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