Let's face it: Drying clothes can be a pain in the ass in autumn and winter, especially if you live in an apartment and don't have enough indoor space to protect them from the elements. For this reason, many end up choosing a dryer to install at home.
It's a sensible decision, although you need to be armed with the necessary information to choose the right dryer for your needs.
Yes, because simply buying a product on sale advertised by some large appliance chain is the best way to make a serious mistake.
Of course, data-mce-fragment="1"> Price is a factor that shouldn't be underestimated, but it can't be the only one.
So, Let's look at some purchasing tips on how to choose a dryer together.
All dryers work the same way, blowing hot air to remove moisture from clothes, but on the market today There are various types of products that employ different technologies, features, and levels of sophistication. But before selecting the model best suited to your needs, you need to ask yourself some questions and consider the following elements: In fact, if you plan to use the dryer rarely, perhaps only for items that generally require more time and space to dry in the sun and open air (blankets, duvets, rugs, pillows), then it might be more useful to avoid this expense and the resulting electricity consumption and opt for an automated drying service, which are now increasingly widespread in our cities and even in smaller towns. You will save, in this way, money, and usable space in the laundry room. If, however, you have a larger family, small children who constantly get dirty, and you live in an apartment with little space for clotheslines, then choosing a dryer could be a real turning point.
That said, you must always consider that the dryer is an appliance with significant energy consumption, even if (as we will see) today we can rely on increasingly energy-efficient models. Technically,Choosing a dryer: what elements should you consider?
How many types of dryers are there?
However, for completeness of information, we will list all three:
- ventilated dryers;
- condensing dryers condensation;
- heat pump dryers.
1. Convection Dryers
Convection dryers are the simplest and most common type of clothes dryer. They are economical to purchase but expensive to run, because they consume more energy but are much cheaper.
Therefore, they are a good solution if you use the dryer only occasionally, as needed, but a bad idea if you use it frequently and consistently over time.
Because they are technologically simple—they essentially consist of a metal box— A drum, a fan, a heating element, and a motor - are very light, making them very practical when wall-mounted, saving space in the laundry room.
This type of dryer uses heat to evaporate the moisture contained in clothes, which then ends up in the room. This makes it necessary to install them in a well-ventilated room, otherwise condensation will build up in the room, creating potential damp problems on the walls.
Ventilated dryers typically have shorter cycle times than any other type of dryer, but they also tend to overdry laundry, thus damaging the clothes.
2. Condenser Dryers
Unlike vented dryers, which push warm, moist air directly into the room, condenser dryers use a heat exchanger to condense moisture from the exhaust air and collect it in a tank or discharge it, like washing machine waste water.
This latter solution, in reality, has long been obsolete.
Therefore, you simply need to remember to regularly empty the water tank condenser dryer, which you could possibly use to water your plants.
Condenser dryers are more robust and technologically complex than fan-assisted dryers. This translates into a larger capacity and quieter operation, but also a higher product cost.
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Furthermore, they are heavier, which means they are not suitable for wall mounting, but if If you have a front-loading washing machine, you may be able to stack it on top to save space (if possible. Always check the manufacturer's instructions). In general, though, if you have space, it's preferable to place it on the floor. Cycle times are longer than a vented dryer, but they're also generally gentler on clothes. Heat pump dryers This makes them Expensive to purchase but cheap to run, because by capturing and reusing their own heat energy, they use about 63% less energy than an equivalent-sized vented dryer. Heat pump dryers take a little longer to dry a typical load of laundry because they use lower temperatures than a vented dryer, but this means that They are gentler on your clothes. And because they capture and reuse their heat energy, they don't discharge hot air into the room at all. Just like a condenser dryer, heat pump dryers also have a drain tank that must be emptied periodically. These models, unfortunately, They are very heavy, so they cannot be wall-mounted, and the solution of stacking them above a washing machine should be carefully evaluated, using a dedicated kit.
All this complexity comes at a high price, so if you only use the dryer occasionally, you may never recoup the cost. But if you use the dryer a lot, then it's a reasonable financial choice as it will save you money in the long run. Among other things, prices are gradually falling, so our advice is to opt for a heat pump model. Just like when buying a washing machine, choosing a dryer cannot ignore its capacity, that is, its How many kg can be loaded into the appliance?
Let's start by clarifying one point: kg refers to the weight of clothes when they are dry, not wet.
Even though most people take the entire load from the washing machine and move it directly to the dryer, our advice is to differentiate, because maybe some things are possible. hang them out to dry, and others, however, you feel more urgently need to use. Furthermore, very often, washing machines aren't loaded to full capacity - to protect the mechanical parts, it's better not to overload it, but from an energy point of view, this is a mistake, because it means running more cycles than necessary - so having a washing machine weighing a certain amount of kg doesn't mean that you'll have to dry that weight. That said, you should always consider the fact that A dryer is very useful for drying duvets, blankets, and pillows, which require a sufficient capacity. Generally, the models available on the market range from 7 to 9 kg, with some even reaching 11 kg or more. Which dryer should you choose, then? Well, our advice is to at least match the capacity of the washing machine, so as not to have a full load of laundry that you can't dry entirely in one go. a single cycle, but if you find the right offer, perhaps it's better to add an extra kg.
This is a very common question, especially among users who have a limited budget or little space to install two bulky appliances like a washing machine and a dryer. In general, We recommend purchasing two separate products, a washer and a dryer, because they guarantee better performance and a longer lifespan. Furthermore, you save on maintenance, because using them separately avoids excessive strain on the appliance. When should you When choosing a dryer to buy some time after purchasing a washing machine, a question to ask yourself is whether it is better to opt for a product from the same brand or to differentiate. There is no precise rule, and it's not a given that two different brands cannot coexist optimally, but it is important to consider two aspects:3. Heat Pump Dryers
How many kg should the dryer have?
Is a dryer or a washer-dryer better?
Dryer and washing machine: same brand or different brands?
- Washing machine satisfaction level: If you're very happy with the performance and efficiency of your appliance, then it might be worth continuing to focus on that one. A winning team doesn't change;
- Compatibility in stacking: As already mentioned in a couple of passages, if space is limited and it is necessary to opt for a stacked installation (washing machine below and dryer above), it is necessary to verify that it is possible to proceed accordingly, checking the manufacturer's instructions and the existence of a kit adequate.
In short, evaluate carefully.
How to install a dryer?
Another question that is often asked is the best solution for installing a dryer.
We have already explained that a heat pump dryer is heavier than a condensing dryer, which in turn weighs more than a ventilated one, and that installation depends on the model. chosen.
Generally, in the absence of specific contraindications, you can opt for a column installation, placing the dryer above the washing machine, obviously a front-loading one, placing a special installation kit between the two.
There are several of these, some even with a practical removable tray, very convenient for placing a basin in which to deposit clothes.
If, however, the laundry room has If there is enough space, it is best to install them next to each other, avoiding stacking them, because over time, the vibrations produced during the washing and/or drying cycles could cause some mechanical damage.
Furthermore, in case of maintenance, it is much more convenient to have the two devices separate, so you can move them more easily.
Conclusions
As you can see, Before choosing a dryer, it's important to know how to navigate without sinking into total confusion.
We invite you to consult the section dedicated to dryers for sale in our online store, where you'll find many models from the best brands at unbeatable prices.
Discover them now, here.