Why a small clothes dryer?
Under a small clothes dryer we mean a clothes dryer with a fill weight of 7 kg or less. This means that the dryer is small in size, which can bring several benefits. These are the advantages of a small clothes dryer:
- Always dry with a full drum: dryers that hold 7 kg of laundry are perfect for households with one or two people. Dryers with a larger load will be harder to fill.
- Energy efficient drying: When you turn on your dryer, you want to make the most of the maximum load. This is because you get the most out of the energy consumption of the drying programmes. This is good for the environment and keeps your energy costs down.
- Small dryer fits more easily in a small space: by choosing a small dryer, your new one will take up less space. You can easily put one on top of your washing machine, or next to it if that’s your preference.
Why a heat pump dryer
There are several types of clothes dryers. The heat pump dryer is the most popular and is sold most often in the Netherlands. If you already know that you want a small clothes dryer, but do not yet know what kind of clothes dryer fits your household, you’re in the right place. We are happy to explain the differences between heat pump dryers, condenser dryers and air extraction dryers.
Energy consumption and energy class
Of all the types of dryers, the heat pump dryer dries the most economically. This is because it uses a heat pump and refrigerant to dry your laundry, using a relatively low temperature. In most cases, the heat pump dryer has energy class A++ or A+++, which is considered energy efficient. Conventional dryers, such as the condenser dryer and the air dryer, use an electric heating element. Because of this, both types of dryers use more electricity than a heat pump dryer. The clothes dryer is the least energy efficient. Most condenser dryers are energy class B, so they are not energy efficient either. If you search carefully, you may come across an energy-efficient condenser dryer, but you will find more heat pump clothes dryers with energy label A++ or A+++.
Cost of purchase
In purchasing, heat pump dryers are more expensive than the other types of dryers. On the other hand, most heat pump dryers have a higher build quality. As a result, they have a longer life and you are less likely to have to buy a new one. In addition, heat pump dryers, because of the better energy label, are much more economical. Because of this, you will save on your annual energy costs, and you will end up spending less with an energy-efficient heat pump dryer than with a regular condenser dryer.
Drying time and wear
Because heat pump dryers dry at a lower temperature than the other types of dryers, it takes longer for your laundry to dry. However, it is better for your laundry to dry at a lower temperature. This reduces wear and tear when you use a heat pump dryer.
Condensation drain
With the drain dryer, moisture can only be removed one way. The damp air is directed to the outside with the help of a drain hose. This requires a hole in the wall or a window in the room where the dryer will be placed.
With both the condenser dryer and the heat pump dryer, the condensation can be drained in two ways. You can connect the dryer to the water drain using a drain hose or you can use the built-in reservoir in the dryer. This stores the moisture extracted from your laundry. You will need to empty the reservoir after each drying cycle.
Maintain condenser
Dryers and heat pump dryers both use a condenser. With most condenser dryers, you will need to clean the condenser manually. Many heat pump dryers, however, have a self-cleaning condenser, which means you won’t have to.
Ease of Use and Drying Programs
Most heat pump dryers also have a self-cleaning condenser, an anti-vibration feature, residual time indicator, a stainless steel clothes protector drum, automatic shut-off, delayed start, child lock and several drying programs such as an anti-allergy program, extra dry a drying programs especially for towels, delicate fabrics, sportswear and wool. However, there are also condenser dryers that offer these options and features. Want to make sure that your new dryer has these extras?
Buy a 7kg heat pump dryer
For a small household, a 7kg dryer is perfect! Therefore, make sure that – if you have a household of one or two people – your dryer has a drum with a maximum load of 7 kg. Below you will find the best clothes dryers that will fit this amount of laundry. In making this selection, we looked at the energy class, build quality, noise level and customer ratings. Is your ideal dryer not listed? Please contact us or your supplier for personal advice.