Where Can You Put a Condenser Tumble Dryer?

Drying clothes in a dryer is generally far more convenient than hanging them up.

Having said that, it can be a bit of a nightmare to find the right place for a dryer in your home. Here are the dos and don’ts of where to put your condenser tumble dryer.

Unlike a vented tumble dryer, which removes moisture through a vent, a condenser tumble dryer collects moisture and sends it to a reservoir within the dryer. This reservoir should be emptied when full. Most models will tell you if this needs doing.

A vented dryer requires a hose to remove excess water, often meaning that it needs to be fitted next to an external wall. 

A great benefit to having a condenser tumble dryer, as opposed to a vented one, is that you can fit it almost wherever you like around your home and little to no alterations need to be made.

Here are the dos and don’ts of where to put a condenser dryer.

 

Avoid Placing it on a Carpet

It’s best to avoid locating your tumble dryer on a carpet. First of all, it is a fire risk. The exhaust duct can reach temperatures of 85 degrees Celsius, which can lead to a build-up of heat that has nowhere to go. 

A less serious problem is that the build-up of lint or a leak could potentially cause damage to the carpet. 

If you need to place it on a carpet, then it’s worth investing in a fire-resistant sheet that you can put between your carpet and tumble dryer.

 

Don’t Put it in a Cupboard

A constant supply of fresh air is needed for the tumble dryer to work at its best, so it’s advised not to cover it with a cupboard door. 

There is also a higher chance of damp accumulation in a confined space. 

Both these issues could technically be avoided by leaving the cupboard door open, but that kind of defeats the object if your aim is to reduce noise.

 

The Garage Might Be Too Cold

The garage seems the ideal place to keep a tumble dryer, as it is out of the way in terms of both sight and noise. 

However, clothes may actually remain wet if the ambient temperature is below 5 degrees Celsius. 

Whilst this might be possible in the summer months, temperatures during the British winter typically fall below 5 degrees. 

 

The Kitchen or Utility Room Is Ideal

Finally, somewhere you can store your dryer! 

As long as there is a decent amount of ventilation and the ambient temperature isn’t colder than 5 degrees Celsius, then you’re good to go. 

A great location for your dryer is next to your washer, as it’s super convenient to transfer your washing. 

 

 

Safety Tips

• Avoid drying certain items (such as oil stains – they’re flammable) and overloading the dryer.
• Opt for fire- and water-resistant surfaces.
• Clear lint away, ideally once per week. This will increase efficiency and decrease fire risk.

As long as you keep in mind the conditions needed for the dryer to work efficiently and safely, then finding a place to store your condenser dryer should be pretty straight-forward!