Which dryer to choose?
Although the dryer is not considered one of the most important appliances in the household, it has its place in every home, especially if the family uses the washing machine more often. Choosing a quality dryer is key if you want to enjoy its trouble-free operation for a longer time, as well as achieve higher energy efficiency.
When buying a dryer, it is good to know what its functions are. The presence of more modern and innovative technologies guarantees you its better and higher-quality work. At the same time, more expensive modern dryers will not damage clothes, as often happens with more budget models. In addition, cheaper machines break down more often, which would cause you a lot of trouble and cost you more money in the long run.
Some of the best dryer models are made by proven appliance manufacturers such as Bosch, Siemens, Miele and AEG. Of course, they do not compromise on quality, especially for higher-end machines. However, more expensive appliances pay for themselves over time due to their higher energy efficiency.
Types of dryers:
Ventilation – The appliance has a chimney and exhausts the steam outside |
Condensation – Here the appliance has a heater and collects the water in a cistern |
Heat pump – the device uses freon and collects the water in a cistern |
Quite often, repairing budget machines is not worth the effort, nor the money needed to replace any of its parts. A better option is to buy a more expensive dryer that is more energy efficient. It will serve you longer than budget options. Dryers come in two types, depending on how they work.
One type of machine operates with a heater. Such dryers are already considered obsolete. The second type of appliance operates with a heat pump and freon. They are of better quality, do not crease the laundry, and also show high energy efficiency.
Some calculations show that one cycle of drying clothes with higher-end models would cost you 15 cents. Per month, that's about 22 days at 0.15 cents, depending on the amount of laundry collected per week. But that's not all. If you have a cheap machine, when it comes to repairs you will be faced with the dilemma of whether to repair it or buy another one.
Still, which dryer to choose? There are three main types of machines. The first type is the cheapest option. It includes ventilation – chimney dryers. In this type of machine, hot air and humid air are pumped from the drum through a flexible hose, which takes it outside. This means that the dryer is better placed next to a wall or window.
The machine can be permanently vented through an external wall using special equipment, with most models available with their own kit. Another possible installation is by hanging a flexible hose from a window when the machine is in use. This is a temporary method, as it is not suitable for use in cold or damp weather. Vent models are the more traditional type of dryer.
The other type is the condensing (with a heater). With these, you don't need to use a hose as a vent. This type of dryer can be placed anywhere in your home, as long as it is well ventilated. Condensing machines condense the steam inside the machine and turn it into water. The liquid is collected in a removable container. The tank is easily pulled out, and the water can be conveniently dumped into the sink. Most machines have an indicator light that signals when the container needs to be emptied.
The latest dryer models are equipped with a heat pump and innovative technologies that provide invaluable assistance in drying laundry. This type of machine uses hot air to extract water from wet clothes, which then settles in a tank. The new dryers are also the most expensive on the market. Their functions are also the most complex, but these appliances show exceptional energy efficiency compared to other cheap models.
