Not all dryers require ventilation to function properly. Ventilated dryers should always be used with a ventilation hose because it helps remove heat, lint and moisture and move them outside the building. However, for non-ventilated models such as condenser and heat pump dryers, ventilation is not required. They can be placed almost anywhere in the home as long as there is sufficient ventilation around.
Let’s consider in more detail what are the advantages and disadvantages of dryers without ventilation.
Why do dryers need ventilation holes
To understand why some dryers require ventilation and others don’t, let’s start by examining the role that vents play in these appliances. The dryer uses heat to remove moisture from wet items. But all this warmth and moisture must go somewhere. This is what the dryer vents are for, running from the back of the machine to the outside. As a result, heat and moisture will enter the ventilation and be removed outside the house.
Dryers without ventilation have 3 main disadvantages:
- Dryers already present a certain degree of fire risk due to heat and lint build-up. This risk increases significantly if you run the dryer without ventilation.
- A tumble dryer without a vent not only brings hot air into your laundry, it also removes a lot of moisture. As a result, mold can build up in the room.
- Dryers can emit carbon monoxide, a hazardous gas to human health.
Which tumble dryers do not need ventilation
On the market there are options for dryers without ventilation from the world’s leading manufacturers. These non-ventilated dryers fall into two categories: condenser dryers and heat pump dryers.
The condenser dryer is a common type of non-ventilated dryer. As the name suggests, it uses a condenser so you don’t have to worry about installing ventilation. Such a dehumidifier will work efficiently as long as it is in a well-ventilated area where warm air can easily escape.
Like conventional dryers, the condenser models blow hot air through the drum to remove moisture from the garment. The hot air is directed to the condensation chamber where the air is cooled and the moisture condenses into water. The air is then reheated to continue the drying cycle while the water is in the water tank.
Heat pump dryers are similar to condenser dryers. However, one significant difference is that these devices recirculate air in a closed system. They generate heat, which is then used to remove moisture from wet clothes. These devices generate less heat during the drying process, are more gentle on clothes and consume less energy.
After the air has passed through the drum, it is cooled to remove all moisture. The same air is then reheated and passed through the drum again.
By recirculating hot air in a closed system instead of discharging it, heat pump dryers end up using much less electricity.
Advantages and disadvantages of dryers without ventilation
Dryer models without ventilation have several significant advantages:
- Simple and clean installation. The dryer works immediately after unpacking and connecting. The important thing here is that you don’t have to drill through the walls by installing a ventilation hose.
- Can be placed anywhere in the house, in any room, even where there is little space. Since no ventilation connection is required, the dryer can be positioned close to the wall.
- In non-ventilated dryers, there is no need for frequent cleaning of the holes. They are almost not clogged with dust, since there is no air flow. Only some parts of the dryer, such as the condensing unit, require occasional cleaning.
- Energy saving. The drying unit will consume much less electricity compared to conventional ventilated dryers, since the heat pump models do not consume the hot air inside.
However, dryers without ventilation also have disadvantages:
- Higher initial cost. Non-ventilated dryers tend to cost slightly more than conventional ventilated dryers. However, you can consider this added value as an investment as these devices cost less to run due to the energy savings.
- Smaller capacity. Dryers without ventilation also have lower performance compared to devices with ventilation. You will have to load less and more clothes to keep all your laundry dry.
- Longer drying time. Ventilation dryers, especially heat pump models, operate at lower temperatures. Of course, this means the dryer will be more gentle on your clothes. However, this also means that it will take longer for you to dry these clothes thoroughly.
- The water tank needs to be emptied. Dryers without ventilation condense moisture removed from clothing and store it in a water tank. Remember to empty the water tank before it is full, before you can continue drying the next load of laundry.
Thus, it is difficult to say unequivocally which is better – a dryer with a condenser or a heat pump. Still, many people prefer to choose a heat pump dryer. This type of unit uses the latest technology, which in general is much more efficient. After the moisture has been removed, the same air is reused to continue drying the clothes inside the drum.