What Size Dryer do I Need
Types of Dryers and How They Work
A drum inside a dryer is similar to a drum in a washing machine. It heats up and rotates constantly to evaporate all the water out of clothes. What happens next depends on the dryer type. Dryers can be vented, with a condenser or a heat pump.
Vented dryers
Such models don’t have a tank for evaporated moisture, and it is blown out through the outlet duct. It means the moist air just goes out through a window or ventilation.
Such dryers are usually cheaper than others, but they are more difficult to install: you need to pull a hose from the dryer to the ventilation duct and fix it — in most cases it looks messy.
It’s not recommended to install vented models in poorly vented rooms as it will increase room humidity and may lead to mold growth.
Condenser dryers
Collect the moisture from clothes in a container or pump it out directly to the drain. Their design is similar to traditional washing machines. Connecting a pipe to the drain is not necessary — you can use a container to collect water and drain it manually.
Dryers with a heat pump
They are the same as condenser models, but better at drying clothes thanks to improved circulation of heat inside the body. Initially, the heat pump heats air to facilitate moist evaporation, and then filters and uses it in the next drying cycle.
Condenser models with a heat pump cost more, they are more energy-efficient and delicate as they work with air at lower temperatures.
Heat pump operation principle
The warmer the air is, the more water it can hold. This explains how a dryer works:
- The room air is heated up and pumped into the drum to soak in as much cloth moisture as possible.
- After that, the hot moist air flows through the evaporator: the temperature goes down rapidly leaving the condensed water on the cooler.
- Then the moisture is pumped to a separate container or the drain.
- The cycle is repeated until the clothes are completely dry.
Is It Worth Buying a Washer-Dryer Combo?
A two-in-one appliance can save some space in your home, but such space-saving may lead to poor drying.
Washer-Dryer Combo Pros:
- Takes half as much space
- Costs less than two separate appliances
- Washing and drying in one cycle — no need to move clothes between the devices
Washer-Dryer Combo Cons:
- Much worse at drying compared to a separate dryer. The clothes still will be wet after short cycles.
- No lint filter. It means animal and human hair, as well as clothing lints, will get collected on the drum walls instead of a separate collector.
- High energy consumption. Most combos are condenser-type without a heat pump, which is why the drying cycle lasts longer and requires more energy.
Dryer Sizes
There are two popular options: compact and standard.
A compact model is suitable for one person living in a small apartment. The maximum load weight of such dryers is about 11 lbs., and the volume is usually less than 1.5 cu. ft.
In most cases, they are condenser dryers, so you don’t need any extra connections. They are also less noisy than the regular ones — not more than 50 dB, so you can install them in a one-room flat without the trouble of being disturbed in your sleep by the appliance operation.
As for their disadvantages, these dryers consume a lot of power, and they have fast-wear inside filters. Moreover, they can be called compact only when compared to the regular ones: such appliances weigh 33-44 lbs.
Standard models. These are common dryers similar to washing machines. They are usually installed next to a washing machine or on top of it. You can load them with 20 lbs. or more, and the drum volume can be more than 5 cu. ft.
How to Install a Dryer Vertically
It’s not easy to find a space for a new home appliance in a small flat, especially if it is as big as another washing machine. That is why dryers are often installed directly on a washing machine. Such an arrangement is usually called a stack.
If you stack two appliances, you need to follow a few rules:
- The washing machine is always at the bottom. They are heavier and vibrate more during operation.
- Choose a dryer that is a bit smaller than the washing machine. The perfect option is to buy the two appliances from one manufacturer.
- If the dryer needs extra fastening, use some stacking accessories. They can be separate feet or rubber mats.
How to Select Dryer by Drum Load Weight and Volume
The maximum load weight is measured in pounds. If you already have a washing machine, choose a dryer with double the maximum washer load weight. The thing is that you can’t load up a dryer to the maximum as it prevents adequate air circulation, and the clothes remain wet.
If the maximum load weight of your dryer is less than that of your washing machine, you’ll have to dry the laundry in two steps.
Also, keep in mind that moist absorption and weight increase after the wash are different for different fabrics.
Comparison of Dryer Maximum Laundry Load Weight for Different Fabrics
Fabric | Dry Laundry Weight |
Cotton | 17.6 lbs. |
Synthetic | 7.7 lbs. |
Wool | 3.3 lbs. |
If you don’t have a washing machine yet, follow these general rules:
- For couples — 13 lbs. or about 25 T-shirts.
- For average families — 15.5 lbs. or 35 T-shirts.
- For big families — 22 lbs. or 50 T-shirts.
The drum volume is measured in cubic feet. It is related to the maximum load weight — equal laundry drying requires about 0.25 cu. ft. of volume per one pound of laundry. It means a dryer with a maximum load weight of 17.5 lbs. should have at least 4.38 cu. ft. of the drum volume.
Why Power Consumption and Energy Efficiency Are Important
Power consumption. The less power a dryer consumes, the cheaper each drying is.
Follow these steps to understand how much electric power each drying takes:
- Check out the dryer specification to find the power consumption for one cycle. It ranges from 1 to 5 kW depending on its power.
- Find out the electricity price in your region.
For example, the complete drying cycle of Bosche series 6 requires 2.08 kW.
The Energy Efficiency Index (EEI) defines how much energy a dryer consumes compared to the average consumption of similar appliances.
You can find the class in the unit specifications as letters from A+++ to G.
How to Select a Dryer by Condensation Efficiency
The condensation efficiency class determines how moist your laundry will be after drying. It ranges from the wettest G to the driest A.
The lower the class is, the better ventilation a room with the dryer needs. Otherwise, it may provoke mold growth.
The air coming out of an appliance with class A energy efficiency is 90% dry. Class B is also considered effective with the air dryness of 80-90%. Lower-class dryers are recommended to be used with open windows or active ventilation.
Table of Dryer Energy Efficiency Classes
Condensation Efficiency Class | Moisture Content (%) |
A (most effective) | < 10 |
B | 10—20 |
C | 20—30 |
D | 30—40 |
E | 40—50 |
F | 50—60 |
G (least effective) | > 60 |
Why Noise Level Is Important
Compact dryers produce the least noise — 40 or 50 dB, which can be compared to a quiet talk in a room.
Standard models are noisier — up to 70 dB at operation, which is a bit quieter than a kitchen blender. Such appliances should be installed in a separate room with a closed door to avoid any disturbance.
Additional Dryer FeaturesLint Filter – an important dryer part. It captures small particles, dust, and wool in the process of laundry drying. It helps to clean clothes from pet and human hair.
Most dryers have a lint filter installed at the front near the loading door. It must be cleaned after each drying — you can get out all lints by hand or with a piece of cloth.
It’s not recommended to buy a dryer without a lint filter as the lints stuck in the drum can easily break it down.
- AutoDry system. This name is used in Bosch models. Other manufacturers have their alternatives as well. The dryer with this feature understands that the laundry is dry and stops the program in advance to prevent overdrying.
- Childproof. Allows to Lock and unlock the dryer buttons during operation by simultaneously pressing a specific combination of buttons.
- Scented laundry. More common for premium models. Works with special capsules placed inside the lint filter.
- Drum load and fault indicator. Allows to avoid overloading and poor laundry drying. The error code screen will show the exact reason of the dryer malfunction.
- Drum illumination. Available in the middle class and higher models, it helps to prevent leaving things inside the dryer.
- Remote control. For example, Candy dryers can be controlled with an app for Android and iOS called hOn.
- Delayed start feature. Starts the program after a specific period from 3 to 19 hours. In some models, the start can be delayed by up to 24 hours.
How To Choose a Dryer
- Select a suitable size. Choose a compact dryer for really small areas. Other than that, choose a standard one.
- Install correctly. If you have enough space near your washing machine, put the two units next to each other. If you want to stack the appliances, check the dryer dimensions.
- Consider dryer type. A vented dryer must have a vent access to prevent mold growth in the room.
- Don’t forget about the maximum load. The load weight should be about 13 lbs. for a couple, 15-18 lbs. for a small family, and 22-24 lbs. for a big family.
- Check the condensation efficiency class. It shows how effectively the laundry dries up. If the class is low the drying is possible only with an open window or active ventilation.
- Make sure the dryer has a lint filter. It helps to capture fleece and hair from the clothes and prevent early dryer failure.
Nice article really very informative, thanks a lot