As the the winter approaches and it gets harder to dry your clothes, many people start using their tumble dryers. Tumble dryers are an essential appliance in the UK, especially during the colder months. Whilst still not as popular as washing machines, according to Statista, nearly 58% of UK households own one. In the past, they've been considered to be a luxury but they're becoming increasingly more popular. How do you know which tumble dryer is right for you? What is the difference between vented and condenser tumble dryers? This guide will tell you everything you need to know!

What are the advantages of owning a tumble dryer?

If you are lucky enough to have a garden, you’ll know that there’s nothing better than the smell of fresh laundry that has been line dried. However, with the seasons in the UK, this isn’t something that we can enjoy all year round. As the days get shorter, rainfall increases and the temperature drops we need to find alternative ways to dry our clothes. Whilst you can successfully dry your clothes on the radiators or clothes airers, it's not always practical. Some people don’t have the room to erect an airer or can’t afford to lose the heat from the radiators.

With vented and condenser tumble dryers, you can easily dry your laundry within a couple of hours. You don’t have to worry about not having the space. Nor do you have to worry about damp from having wet laundry in the house. It's especially hard to find space to hang up larger items such as bed sheets and towels. Have you ever accidentally spilled something on a piece of clothing that you need to wear the next day? Or forgotten to wash an outfit the night before you go away? With a tumble dryer, you can rest assured that you can wash and dry your clothes within a few hours. Putting on warm clothes, fresh out of the tumble dryer is such a great feeling.

Vented and condenser tumble dryers - what is the difference?

What is a vented dryer?

A vented dryer removes moisture from clothes by expelling it through a vent that can be fitted to an external wall, or through a hose. This means that your energy bills are kept to a minimum as the appliance doesn't need to convert the hot air into water, it simply gets expelled from your home. If you are thinking about purchasing a vented dryer, then you must consider where it will be kept. You should ensure that there is a suitable location in your home for the appliance. It will need to be installed and used near an external vent that has been fitted into an external wall. This will allow the damp air to escape outside. Vented dryers will dry your clothes much quicker than condenser dryers. They are also usually cheaper to buy and run.

Vented dryers are simple to maintain, but will require regular maintenance of both the lint filter and the vent hose to ensure that they continue to run efficiently.

What is a condenser dryer?

Condenser dryers use high temperatures to dry your laundry, reaching a maximum temperature of 70-75℃. Unlike vented dryers, condenser dryers do not need an externally vented hose. Condenser dryers convert hot air into water which collects inside the appliance. The water will be in a removable container, which will need to be removed when full. It is easy to remove the water without hassle. This means that the appliance can be installed anywhere in your home. They are a lot more flexible than a vented dryer. However, you do need to make sure that when you install the appliance it is in a well ventilated room as it will need a constant supply of cool air to be able to function properly.

Condenser dryers will require regular cleaning of both the water tank and the condenser unit to ensure that they continue to run efficiently.

white Willow vented tumble dryer

How much do tumble dryers cost to run?

If you’re worried about how much it will cost to run another appliance, then you should also consider that you won’t be using it all year round. During the spring and summer months when the weather is warmer and less damp, you can dry your clothes outside if you have the space. The cost of adding an extra appliance to your household can be a worry, but it doesn't cost as much as you might think to run a tumble dryer.

The cost of running a tumble dryer will obviously depend on the type of dryer you have and local energy rates. Ideal Home conducted research in 2023 and came up with the following:

  • An example 9kg vented tumble dryer uses 5.34 kWh for a full load cycle and approx 636 kWh over a year (if you use your dryer around two times a week). This means that this vented tumble dryer costs £1.23 per cycle and £146.28 per year on average.
  • An example 9kg condenser tumble dryer uses 5.2 kWh for a full load and approx 617 kWh annually. This means a cost of £1.20 per cycle and £141.91 annually – that's almost as much as a vented model.

How do you choose the right model?

If you're looking for a vented tumble dryer, Home Feeling currently have two different sizes on offer. The Willow 7kg Vented Dryer priced at £249 uses 504 kWh/annum. The Willow 2.5kg Compact Vented Dryer priced at £169 uses 197 kWh/annum. Which size is right for you depends on the size of your household and the space you have.

The WTD7 model is the perfect addition to a family household. This front loading dryer has three temperature settings, a child safety lock and a removable lint filter. It comes in two great colours, black and white. This allows you to choose the right one to fit seamlessly in with your decor.

The WTD25 model is ideal for smaller households. The compact size and weight of only 20kg means that it's easy to manoeuvre. It can be used in even the smallest of houses or apartments. The WTD25 compact dryer is also perfect for student digs. It comes in three colours; black, silver and white.

Both of these models have three different temperatures. You can choose which setting is right for you and the items that you are drying. You should always check the care labels before using a tumble dryer as not everything can be tumble dried.