A Guide to Buying Your Tumble Dryer

If you’ve decided you and your family need a tumble dryer then there is a whole world of choice in front of you. When looking at the vast range of tumble dryers on the market you may not know where to begin and there are a number of questions you should ask yourself. Here are the key questions and their answers so you’re already armed when going to look for your dream dryer.

Do I need a washer-dryer?

This is something many people consider and basically, if you already have a quality washing machine why would you replace it? Similarly, a combined machine would be much less energy efficient than your two separate machines. They generally have less features and are more time consuming, so you can only have one load in at a time.

Will it send my electricity bills sky high?

If you use your tumble dryer and completely forget about your washing line, even in the sun, then you can expect increased bills. However A and A+ models are proud to be energy efficient and therefore choosing one of these means that of course they will add to your bill but it won’t be an unmanageable amount.

What types of dryer are there on the market?

There are two main types of tumble dryers currently available:

Vented

Vented dryers do what they say on the tin –  they use an air vent so they don’t overheat. They need to be placed against an outside wall with a hole drilled out so the hose can be pushed outwards. The hose removes the hot air creating during the drying process and releases it outside. Some people choose to put them out of the window but this isn’t really a long term option.

Condenser

These models are easier to fit – they can be put anywhere in the room and no hose is needed to run outside. The water from the process is collected in a tray usually and you can simply empty it out after use.

What special features can I expect?

There are a range of specialist features you can find on more expensive dryers and here are some of the more popular ones:

Delayed Start

You can set your machine to run at a later time so your clothes aren’t left sitting waiting. This means you could choose to set it to be done for when you return home for work.

Fast Airing Cycle

Some machines have a fast dry element which gives clothes a quick refresh.

Crease Reduction

The top of the range appliances on the market even come with extremely specialist features such as crease reduction. You may be able to tumble  dry work shirts for example without needing to iron them.

Sensor Drying

 Sensor Drying is a green feature of many machines which can save you up to 50% on your energy bills. The sensors inside the dryer can tell when the moisture has been removed and then the cycle will stop.

This is just an introduction to buying your first tumble dryer and when you go to buy in-store or even online you can find out more about the machines on offer.

Lillian Rowley is a gadget and technology writer from Leeds. She writes about everything from the latest tumble dryers to the newest tablet computers.