Tumble Dryers

Vented tumble dryers are the most traditional type of dryer. They work by heating air and circulating it through the drum to dry clothes, then expelling the warm, damp air through a vent or hose to the outside. These dryers require an external wall or window for venting, which can limit installation options. They tend to be the least energy-efficient but are often the most affordable upfront.

Condenser tumble dryers don't need external venting, making them more flexible for installation. They operate by condensing the moisture from the warm air inside the dryer into water, which is collected in a removable tank or drained away. While more energy-efficient than vented models, they still use a considerable amount of electricity to generate heat. Condenser dryers are typically more expensive than vented models but less costly than heat pump dryers.

Heat pump tumble dryers are the most energy-efficient option. They use a heat pump to recycle warm air within the dryer, extracting moisture without venting it externally. This closed-loop system significantly reduces energy consumption, often by 50% compared to condenser models. Heat pump dryers are gentler on clothes due to lower drying temperatures, but they generally have longer drying times. While they have the highest upfront cost, their energy savings can offset this over time, especially in households that frequently use a tumble dryer.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​