Tumble dryers are a modern essential, making it easier to dry laundry when the weather outside is changeable.
There are different types of tumble dryer. The most popular type in the UK is the condenser dryer.
Do condenser dryers give off heat? Here’s what you should know.
Do Condenser Dryers Get Hot?
Condenser dryers do get hot while they’re operating, so it’s important that they have a regular supply of cool air to keep the temperature down.
The temperatures in a condenser dryer are much higher than in heat pump dryers, and this can make them feel much hotter.
A condenser dryer uses these very hot temperatures to dry the clothes and converts the hot air into water. A vented tumble dryer expels the hot air, another reason why it doesn’t run quite as hot.
How Do You Know If Your Condenser Dryer Is Too Hot?
Steam isn’t unusual for tumble dryers, and it isn’t necessarily a sign that something is wrong with your condenser dryer.
Water doesn’t need to be boiling to let off steam, and tumble dryers work by turning the moisture in the clothing into vapour.
However, your tumble dryer shouldn’t be scorching to the touch, so it’s important to be vigilant for signs that it may be overheating.
If the exterior feels very hot or your clothing comes out with burn marks, there might be something wrong with your condenser dryer.
The most common cause of overheating is restricted airflow. As mentioned above, a constant supply of cool airflow is vital to keep a condenser dryer operating efficiently.
If you’re concerned that your dryer is overheating, check the lint trap and clear any visible build-up.
Once that is empty, check the dryer vent too. Lint can also build up here but can easily be removed with a bit of assistance from a vacuum cleaner.
What Is the Difference Between a Vented Dryer and a Condenser Dryer?
Vented tumble dryers were the traditional type of tumble dryer, with a long hose to vent the hot air outdoors. Condenser dryers work in a different way, and don’t need to be ducted to outside to operate.
As the water and moisture is removed from the clothing, a condenser dryer stores it in a small tank. This reservoir of water may need to be manually emptied or it may drain automatically via a hose.
The benefit of condenser dryers is that they can be positioned more or less anywhere as they don’t need to accommodate the long vent hose.
What Are the Pros and Cons of a Condenser Dryer?
As mentioned above, the big benefit of condenser dryers is that they can be placed anywhere, but that’s not the only advantage.
Modern condenser dryers tend to be gentler on fabrics and clothing, drying them quickly while helping to preserve their lifespan.
Most condenser dryers on the market these days use quite advanced technology including sensors to automatically adjust drying length plus a wide range of settings allowing you to customise drying cycles.
There aren’t many drawbacks to condenser dryers, but they can get quite hot while they’re running. They also take longer to dry clothes than vented or heat pump dryers.
They are usually more expensive than vented dryers but cheaper than heat pump models.
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