tumble dryers

[neilfaughnan]

When looking on the internet there are two kinds of tumble dryer.Vented and condenser.What is the difference?

[banana]

A vented machine has a long hose that needs to be draped out of window to allow the steam to get out. A condenser has a 'bottle' within the machine that collects the steam as water. I have a condenser machine and its good . But probably the only real difference is that, with a condenser, you can choose where to put your machine without having to consider where the steam will go.

[Wisebird]

Perhaps it was the make I got, but my condenser machine was useless. Drying took absolutely ages and I wouldn't use it in the end because of the expense. Now have a large vented machine and couldn't live without it.

[MrsCheeks]

I had a venting drier for 10yrs but had to have the hose out of the window as in our house we were not allowed to have a special vent for it (military housing for ya lol). I got a condensor and was blown away by how great it is. I empty the water onto my flowerbeds (very eco friendly) and the heat it produces (which is not much more than a conventional drier) sure as heck gets used heating the downstairs of the house. All in all for the extra �100 it cost me for the condensor drier this has been greatly offset at 1. not having to pay for a vent in the wall for the hose, 2. not having heat escape out of the window when I had to have the hose out of that, and 3. not needing to have the radiator on in the kitchen lol. My heating bill has gone down, and the cost of electricity has remained exactly the same too. Hope this helps a bit on making a decision. Anniekon, I know what you mean about having a bad experience with driers cos I hate those washer/drier combis ... one in digs I rented was sooooo bad it didnt even spin the clothes properly on the rinse cycle, let alone dry them. 5hrs on a dry setting and clothes were still wet lol. Put me off them for life, but I have friends who swear by theirs. Go figure. xxxx

[WHJ]

We recently had to switch to a condenser when we moved into a listed property. It is terrific and well worth the extra.