Information and Advice Needed on Condensing Clothes Driers

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  scrimshaw on 05/10/2014 - 18:32

  There's generally 2 types of dryers, vented ones which requires a hose to pipe out moisture from the dryer (laundry room) to outside the house (out the window). They are light enought to be wall mounted. Starts from $299.

  The condenser type dryers usually have a container instead which collects the water OR it might have a water pipe which acts as drainage for the collected moisture. If it comes a pipe then you got a little bit of plumbing to do if there is no sink nearby, if it's a container then you empty it out every load. Condenser type dryers are more expensive than vented ones. Starts from $650+ as a minimum price.

  I can get by without using a dryer, I just hang up my clothing indoors and they usually dry within 1-2 days. Mileage I suppose also depends where you live and what the weather is like and how big your loads are. I live in a household of three and we all hang dry our clothing.

  As for brands.. well I don't know much about whitegoods in general but go to Bing Lee to have a look.

  http://www.thegoodguys.com.au/buyonline/Electrolux_7kg_Conde…
  https://www.google.com.au/shopping/product/15119240166602826…

  • 

    Davo1111 on 05/10/2014 - 20:46

    TIL condenser types. I assume would reduce mould formation in the laundry.

    • 

      scrimshaw on 05/10/2014 - 22:50

      +1

      There's also heat pump dryers, which boast energy efficiency ratings of 5 to 6 stars but also fairly expensive. And there's also gas powered dryers which use LPG gas to heat the air but this obviously requires gas connection.

      http://www.appliancesonline.com.au/heat-pump-dryers/

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  mad__llama on 05/10/2014 - 22:56

  I have a condenser dryer which is plumbed-in and came included in my apartment. I don't use it much as I usually air-dry.

  Two annoying things about it:
  1) I can't just select a 'normal' hot constant temperature cycle for like 10 min to quickly heat up a towel in the winter or the like as it has a moisture-sensor which controls the temperature.

  2) If I put a wet load in (no matter what setting I use) it always cools down and stops before the items are properly dry (moisture sensor again I assume).

  Just my 2c…

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  minniethemoocher on 06/10/2014 - 00:05

  I have a condenser dryer, if you have a sink nearby I would suggest having it piped to that. Mine is stacked on my washer and the pipe is cable tied to the washers pipe and it goes straight into the sink. It was suggested to me that heat pumps are the way to go, more upfront cost but far less energy usage. Mine is great, only issue is that as it has a moisture sensor so if put something slightly damp in there it won't dry it because it can't detect any moisture. But if put in a wet load I don't have this problem. I would suggest looking at a Bosch simply because when my last washing machine dryer combo broke down it's what the repair guy told me was the best brand.

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    [Deactivated] on 06/10/2014 - 09:31

    I got a Bosch. It's decent, but if it did die, I wouldn't buy another. It is very German, and some of the settings cannot be overridden! The cooling cycle in general, i find pointless. I love putting on hot clothes!

    Also got a matching Bosch washer… if you turned on a cycle… then realized u forgot to put in those socks (!)… the procedure to stop a cycle is ridiculous… can't just open the door and throw them in.