Which dryer is better: vent or condenser?

Having a modern washing machine in the house has long ceased to be a luxury: dirty clothes, shoes, and hats become clean in just an hour and a half. The next stage is drying. Manufacturers of household appliances have also solved this problem: there is no longer a need for ropes on the balcony and bulky dryers; it is enough to purchase another “home assistant”. However, here too there is something to think about: which dryer to choose, ventilated or condensing, with or without a heat pump, what is the difference between them and which is better?

Conventional ventilation or modern condensation?

For residents of Europe and America, a dryer is a common household appliance. They appeared in the 40s of the last century and for many years their design remained virtually unchanged. The only changes are the appearance of a modern design and the replacement of the mechanical control unit with an electronic one. Technology came to the countries of the post-Soviet space in the 2000s, but it can not be found in every home.

There are several reasons:

• small apartments where it is difficult to place a large amount of equipment;
• the need to pay for electricity: the sun and wind dry things for free;
• distrust of such household appliances.

If the question of purchasing a dryer has become acute, you should consider the models on the market and understand what is best to choose. Thus, dryers are divided into ventilating or condensing, and each has its own advantages.

Ventilation.Requires connection to home ventilation: the device pipe is led either directly to the street or to the corresponding hole in the bathroom. Installing the device involves additional installation work, often quite complex and expensive, and after connection it will be almost impossible to move the equipment to another location.

Residents of countries where the air temperature drops below zero should not choose this model, since it is prohibited to operate such a dryer when the thermometer is negative.

The reason is simple: the condensate discharged outside will freeze onto the outlet pipe, which will lead to breakdown of the unit.

Condensation A more convenient model of drying machine that does not require complex designs. Moisture from wet clothes passes through a heat exchanger, thanks to which it turns back into liquid. Already in a liquid state, it is collected in a reservoir, from where it is removed at the end of the work. This is done manually or automatically if the modern model is equipped with a special device that removes water directly into the sewer pipe.

With heat pump. A more modern and convenient model from the condensing class. It is equipped with a special compressor, whose task is to forcibly cool the moist air coming from the drum. With its help, three goals are achieved:

• condensate is converted into liquid;
• excess heat is removed from the incoming humid air;
• a new batch of air is heated for further entry into the drum.

The disadvantage of heat pump dryers is their cost, which is significantly higher than the price of condensing and ventilation models. However, they are more economical to operate and are indispensable in the absence of a balcony.Modern equipment is easily installed on top of the washing machine, which saves space in small apartments.

Condenser dryers are the best choice for families living in the middle zone and who want to operate the equipment throughout the year. Modern models are capable of drying up to 8 kilograms of laundry in one hour of operation, and the presence of additional options will greatly facilitate the further care of clothes.

What to look for when buying a dryer?

The first and main thing to consider when buying a dryer is the cost of its operation, that is, the energy consumption during operation. The energy efficiency class indicated in the technical data sheet of the product will tell you about this. Most modern household appliances are quite economical and have class A, but you can still find class C dryers on sale. It is better to avoid buying them, since the electricity consumption and subsequent amounts in bills will be sky-high: the dryer consumes 3-4 times more electricity than a washing machine.

Machines with energy consumption class A have a “+” sign next to the letter. The more “pluses” – the less electrical energy is consumed during operation. On average, the indicators are as follows:

• A+++ – 150-200 kW/year;
• A++- 160-230 kW/year;
• A+ – 180-250 kW/year;
• A - from 200 to 290 kW/year;
• B – from 450 to 650 kW/year;
• C – over 650 kW/year.

The energy consumption class affects the cost of household appliances, but only slightly: choosing an economical assistant is easy even in the middle price category. Another important parameter is programs. With their help, you can change the drying duration, select the type of fabric, and adjust various settings.Manufacturers also equip their models with additional options, such as “Smoothing with steam”, “Ventilation” and others.

The next selection criterion is the loading type. Like washing machines, it can be frontal or vertical. This parameter does not affect the quality of drying, but the location of the unit depends on it. A front-loading machine can be placed on a washing machine, while the vertical type requires installation on a low surface.

For small apartments, the dimensions of the product will also be important. Average dimensions of drying chambers:

• width from 55 to 70 cm;
• depth from 55 to 65 cm;
• height on average 85 cm.

In addition, the volume of the drum is also important: with 100 liters of volume, a household appliance can dry 5-6 kilograms of things at a time.

Dryers are quite noisy in operation; even the most famous manufacturers have not been able to reduce the noise level below 65-70 dB. Compared to other household appliances, the sound from the dryer is the same as when cleaning with a vacuum cleaner. This should be taken into account when installing them: it is not advisable to place them next to the bedroom, children's room or study.

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