tumble dryers

I'm looking to buy a dryer tonight but I have a couple of questions.

What's the difference between a condensor dryer and a vented dryer? Condensor dryers are more expensive so they must be better in some way but they start at £200 and I only have about £150 to spend. I'd just like to know what I'm getting. If condensors are drastically better then maybe I'm better off waiting until I have a bit more cash.

Installation...is it as easy as plugging it into an outlet and it's ready to go? Or, is there more to it than that?

Thanks!

With a vented dryer there is a pipe thing that you have to stick out of a window so you might find that inconvenient.  Condensor dryers you can put more or less anywhere (they usually need a bit of space around them though), just plug it in.  We have a condensor dryer which is in our garage, it is brilliant, just chuck the wet laundry in there and leave it running.

With a vented dryer there is a pipe thing that you have to stick out of a window so you might find that inconvenient.  Condenser dryers you can put more or less anywhere (they usually need a bit of space around them though), just plug it in.  We have a condenser dryer which is in our garage, it is brilliant, just chuck the wet laundry in there and leave it running.

Dh & I have a condenser dryer ours is in our garage as well. I also just chuck the wet laundry turn it on an go about my bussiness. if you can wait for a condenser dryer I would but thats just my opinion though.

Another vote for condenser!!  I adore our condenser dryer so much more than the ventilated ones.  I highly recommend it!  Ours is also in our garage and we just plugged it in and away we went.  No built up humidity at all around it. 

I have a vented tumble dryer that I really like. 

Thanks, guys. We went to Comet tonight and they were clearing out all of their floor demo dryers so we got a condensor dryer for only £180. Just finished hauling it up the stairs and I'm tired. That was quite a job for as light as it was!

Sounds like you found a good deal.  Happy drying

Sounds like you found a good deal.  Happy drying

LOL, thanks! I was so tired of drying all of our clothes in the living room!

LOL, thanks! I was so tired of drying all of our clothes in the living room!

You will love having a dryer again! I have a regular so can't speak for the condenser type...that said, after 3+ years without one, got one in September and I am still in heaven doing laundry....never thought I would say that! 

Sounds like a good bargain!

The "unpack & go" aspect of condensing dryers, avoiding the need to install a vent, is really the main advantage.   They tend to be slightly less efficient and need longer drying times than an equivalent size/power vented dryer would need, and although much of the moisture from the exhaust air is condensed, they do still result in higher humidity in the room than you would get with a vented type (nowhere near as much as you would get with a vented dryer with the vent just exhausting straight into the room though).

Many of the combination washer/dryers use water as the cooling agent on the heat exchanger.   If anyone is thinking about getting one of these, be aware that they can use a lot of water during the drying cycle, which might be of concern if you're on a metered supply.

is it as easy as plugging it into an outlet and it's ready to go?

Most British dryers are rated up to about 3kW, but just watch for the slightly more powerful dryers which are available.  Once you get over 3kW or so you'd need a dedicated circuit installed for the dryer.