Different types of tumble dryer
Airflow dryer, condenser dryer or heat pump dryer; which type of dryer is best for you? The difference between these different dryers is quite big. There are many differences between dryers, including noise levels and water drainage, as well as how energy efficient they are at drying your laundry. If you want a dryer that suits your household needs, it is essential to familiarize yourself with the different types of tumble driers.
Compare tumble driers
The range of tumble driers is huge, stores and online shops are full of them! That’s why you should compare several different clothes dryers before you decide on a specific one. The prices of dryers vary widely. You can buy a new tumble dryer for as little as 250 euros, but is it really a good buy? And will it meet the needs of you and your household? The average tumble dryer has a range of specifications; energy class, fill weight, with a hose or reservoir and so on. You need to compare all these features to determine if a particular dryer is the right one for you. Having trouble estimating exactly what you need? Read on!
Buy a tumble dryer; what to look out for
Wash dryers have an average lifespan of around 12 years. That’s why you want to buy an appliance that fits your needs. Because you don’t buy a new tumble dryer very often, and because the technology behind these devices is evolving at a rapid pace, you may not know what to look for. We’re here to help! The following tips will help you decide what type of tumble dryer you should buy! There are three types of tumble dryer: the vent dryer, condenser dryer and heat pump dryer. Heat pump dryers are the most widely sold nowadays because they are the most energy efficient dryers. This is good for the environment, but it also keeps your energy costs down. Heat pump dryers are more expensive to buy, but because they’re so energy-efficient, they’re usually the cheapest option when you need a new dryer. Condenser dryers use more energy, and the clothes dryer uses the most. The condenser dryer is still sold quite frequently, but the extractor dryer is sold very infrequently.
Condensation drain
Drying laundry releases moist air. This moisture needs to be discharged somewhere. The extractor dryer leads the moist air out through a window or a hole in the wall. With both the condenser dryer and the heat pump dryer, you can choose to drain the moisture through the water outlet or store it in a reservoir (also called a condensate drip pan). If you choose the latter, you won’t need an outlet for the condensation drain. However, you will need to empty the condensate drain into the wash bar after drying. If you have a water drainage system in the room where you will be installing your dryer, we recommend that you connect it to the water drainage system with a drainage hose.
Energy rating
We previously explained that the type of clothes dryer affects its energy consumption. But even between two dryers of the same type, energy consumption can vary. To find out, look at the energy label. Energy-efficient dryers have an energy class of A++ or A+++. The lowest energy label that dryers in the Netherlands may have is energy class B. If you want the most energy-efficient dryer, choose a heat pump dryer in energy class A+++. This is the best choice for the environment, but ultimately also for your wallet. Energy efficient heat pump dryers are more expensive to buy, but because they use so little energy, they ultimately save you money. A heat pump dryer in energy class A+++ will save you up to 75 euros per year on energy bills – compared to a condenser dryer in energy class B. It is important that you choose a dryer that is the right size for your washing machine and the size of your household. Does your dryer have too little or too much fill weight? This makes washing less pleasant and you’ll use more energy than necessary. We therefore recommend that you buy a tumble dryer with the same filling weight as your washing machine. That way, you’ll always have a full drum when drying. Are you buying a new tumble dryer and washing machine? Use the following recommendations as a guide:
- For 1 or 2 people, a 6 or 7kg dryer. Dryers rarely have a 6kg capacity, but a 7kg capacity is more common.
- For 3 or 4 people, a 8kg dryer. Most dryers have a 8kg fill weight.
- For 5 people or more: a 9kg or higher dryer. A 9kg load is also common.
Sound level
The sound level of a clothes dryer indicates, in decibels (dB), how loud it is when it is drying. Almost all dryers are a lot quieter than the average washing machine, but the noise can still be perceived as disturbing. For example because your house has thin walls or you plan to dry at night. In terms of noise level, dryers are divided into 3 categories: loud (67 dB or more), medium (65 dB or 66 dB) or quiet (64 dB or less). Most tumble dryers have a noise level of medium or quiet. Heat pump dryers are most likely to be classified as quiet.
Ease of Use
Washers offer a range of features and options to make drying as easy as possible for you. For some, this is ‘unnecessary fuss’, but for others it saves a lot of work and time! You can think of features like a self-cleaning condenser, control via an app and a lighted drum. Think you can benefit from this? The build quality of a dryer reflects its sturdiness and expected lifespan. Looking at the build quality, all dryers are divided into basic, mid-range and top-range. If the build quality of a dryer is not mentioned, the price and brand can also give an indication. According to the Consumers’ Association these are the best brands for tumble dryers: Miele, Bosch, Siemens, AEG and Samsung. These popular brands are generally more expensive to buy, so they do not score as well in terms of price-quality ratio. Brands that do score well in this category include Beko, Indesit and Zanussi.