Dryer - Vented vs Condenser vs Heat pump?

[bobski1]

Looking for advice on which is the better dryer? Current experience is a vented one growing up and it was always good. I got a condenser from a friend a little while ago but didn't feel it did a good job at drying the clothes so got rid of it.

Now with a little family need to buy another one with the winter coming in as it's taking an age to dry clothes. I'd rather a vented and access is available to an outside wall or perhaps in the garage.

[c32dave]

Heat pump all the way for me. Our LG consumes about a quarter of the energy of a vented dryer. Well worth the greater upfront cost.

It’s also gentler on the clothes, and produces almost unlimited distilled water for a final rinse post washing the car.

[bobski1]

Any downsides to heat pump? I felt like the condenser dryer I had was very poor and I've read heat pump dryers take longer, guess with the lower running costs that is offset.

Any downsides to heat pump dryer?

[m3cs]

Our Bosch one takes FOREVER and unless you use the strongest setting (cotton, 3/3 heat), the clothes always come out very slightly damp.
If electricity was cheaper and we already had a hole in the wall, I would definitely get a vented one.

One other thing to consider too if you have small kids- get one where all the controls are possible to lock out with the child lock. For some very un-German reason, the main rotary control on our bosch is unaffected by the child lock… so it is forever being messed with by little hands.

[the-norseman]

We have just got a heatpump to replace a condenser, seems quieter.

[kambites]

bobski1 said:

Any downsides to heat pump? I felt like the condenser dryer I had was very poor and I've read heat pump dryers take longer, guess with the lower running costs that is offset.

They are indeed a bit slower because they dry at lower temperatures. Ours takes about 3 hours to dry a full load (vs about 2 hours for our previous condenser unit with a similar sized load). As above though, the lower temperature means they are far kinder to clothes.

[.:ian:.]

At least with a condenser, hp or resistive, the exhaust heat stays inside the building.

With a vented dryer you are just pumping KWs outside, such a waste.

[Rough101]

kambites said:

They are indeed a bit slower because they dry at lower temperatures. Ours takes about 3 hours to dry a full load (vs about 2 hours for our previous condenser unit with a similar sized load). As above though, the lower temperature means they are far kinder to clothes.

My Samsung takes about 1-45 for a full load, the previous condenser took about 1-30, and I’m putting more in the HP as it won’t nuke more fragile stuff.

[Simon_GH]

Unless you’re in a rush no. It’s more energy efficient, gentler to clothing and produces demineralised water for washing windows / cars etc without leaving water marks. We’ve got a Samsung and it’s great. The moisture sensor is a bit optimistic so you either override the automatic setting or hang the clothes out overnight for the final airing.

[bobski1]

are they safe to run overnight? I think the plan will be to run daily or every other day but saves increasing an already bad condensation situation drying inside and time.

My initial budget was around £300 but can stretch where needed, anybody got any good recommendations. I'm not a powerfully build director but do want to buy one ASAP

[Simon_GH]

Some people are nervous about running washing machines and tumble dryers overnight. It doesn’t concern me - it uses a more gentle heat and I don’t feel the need to watch it.

You could always fit a smoke alarm directly above it if it’s in the house.

[dobly]

Get a Heat Pump machine if you possibly can - you might be able to get last year’s model for a good price if there is leftover stock at model change-over time - shop around and ask the salespeople if you are shopping in-store. Online the deals should be obvious.
As for safety - as they use less electricity and operate at lower temperatures they are inherently safer - as long as you follow the instructions for lint removal - so are perfect for using low-cost overnight electricity.

Edited by dobly on Friday 4th October 10:45

[Gary C]

We have a Phillips condenser with a built in pump (which is essential) and it works ok but its on its third water pump and the heat exchanger needs cleaning which isn't a big chore but still a bit messy. Its not as plug and play as a vented one.

Given the choice I would buy a vented one to replace it as there are now only two of us in the house. When there was six, it probably would now make me think differently.

A vented one is much simpler to maintain and fix. The previous one lasted about 15 years and only died when the rear bearing failed and the shaft cut its way down through the casing

[oldskoolgent]

'produces demineralised water for washing windows / cars'

huh what ? Do they all do that then ?
No one told me ? So i can empty the drawer and rather down the sink actually make use of it ?

[bobski1]

Samsung DV90BB9445GBS1 Series 9

or

AEG 7000 SensiDry Freestanding Tumble Dryer TR718L4B

is the £200 price difference worth it for the samsung? the AEG seems to have good reviews and I would prefer minimal gimmicks and have something that just works

[dhutch]

bobski1 said:

Any downsides to heat pump dryer?

Expensive to buy, and slow compared to vented. If cheaper to run.

So; heat pump if using it daily.
else; vented if its only for odd emergencies.

We have the latter and line dry 98% of all our washing.

[ralphrj]

bobski1 said:

Samsung DV90BB9445GBS1 Series 9

or

AEG 7000 SensiDry Freestanding Tumble Dryer TR718L4B

is the £200 price difference worth it for the samsung? the AEG seems to have good reviews and I would prefer minimal gimmicks and have something that just works

Which magazine scored the AEG fractionally better (74% vs 73%) and gave it a 'best buy' recommendation which they didn't give to the Samsung.

The Samsung is £929 on AO vs £493 for the AEG.

I would choose the AEG if it were me.

[Aunty Pasty]

It never occurred to me to re-use the water for car / window washing. We sometimes find a little wet fluff in our water but that shouldn't be a problem rinsing down windows.

[bigtime]

I was told not to buy a heat pump drier as I wanted to put it in the garage and was told it needed to be put in a warmish room. Not sure how true this is if anyone can advise? I ended up just buying a vented.

[NortonES2]

Just bought one of these, as mentioned above last years model

https://ao.com/product/wth84001gb-bosch-series-4-h...