Tumble Dryers are an important part of any kitchen, and can play a role in the smooth running of family life, especially when you consider the changeable weather we have in this part of the world. Tumble Dryers help you plan better and save you valuable time – and they are much more efficient than in the past. Many Tumble Dryers now have a form of Artificial Intelligence and can guide themselves as to how long and at what temperature to dry your clothes, saving you electricity.

A good example of this is Whirlpools 6th Sense Range. Modern Tumble Dryers are also exceptionally functional and are able to dry many more types of fabrics and materials than in the past. Below we explain exactly what you need to know in order to choose the right Tumble Dryer for yourhome. If you would like any more information please contact us at Armagh Electrical.com or visit Dalzell’s of Markethill.

Freestanding or Integrated (Built-In) Tumble Dryers?

There are two main looks of Tumble Dryers to choose from: Freestanding and Integrated (Built-in). Your choice is determined by how you wish your Tumble Dryer to look in your Kitchen or Laundry Room. Freestanding Tumble Dryers push under an existing worktop or kitchen unit with the front of the appliance visible and all its functions easily to hand. Integrated or Built-in Tumble Dryers are fully integrated into your kitchen or laundry room and are hidden when the door is closed. This way you maintain the overall design and look of your kitchen or laundry room.

What Type of Tumble Dryer?

There are three main types of Tumble Dryers to choose from: Vented, Condenser and Spin Dryers. Vented Tumble Dryers are the most traditional of the three and require venting via a flexible tube through to the outside wall. Therefore the appliance should be sited fairly close to an outside wall. The position of the vent on the dryer should also be considered – left, right or rear? Some appliances offer multiple choices. Condenser Tumble Dryers collect the moisture during the drying and store it within the appliance for emptying at a later date. Most appliances will alert you when the storage box needs emptied (this storage box is usually at the bottom of the appliance). Condenser Tumble Dryers are also generally less efficient. Spin Dryer are much smaller and use centrifugal force to separate the water from the clothes during drying. This water is then either pumped out to a waste location or stored for manual emptying.

• Condenser Tumble Dryers
• Vented Tumble Dryer
• Spin Dryers

Drying Load

Tumble Dryers are available in a wide range of capacities and the Drying Load is an important factor in your choice of Tumble Dryer. Key questions to ask yourself are: how much drying is done, how often does it happen, and for how many people?. If you are single or a couple for example a Tumble Dryer with a capacity of around 5Kg or less may be perfectly adequate. But if you are washing for a family you will probably need to consider a Tumble Dryer with a capacity of at least 7Kg, or even as big as 10Kg. A further benefit of a larger capacity is that such appliances are able to accommodate more unusual items, such as duvets. They also help to reduce the amount of creases in your laundry and therefore the amount of ironing needed. Overloading a Tumble Dryer can greatly increase the drying time and decrease the appliance’s efficiency.

Efficiency and the Environment

All Washing Machines have a European Union Energy Label which is designed to give you all the information you require about the Energy consumption of your particular appliance. These labels are colour coded and give alphabetical ratings (A-G) on the overall energy performance. Armagh Electrical.com and Dalzell’s of Markethill have Energy Saving Trust Retailer accreditation for our product knowledge, range of appliances and our commitment to the environment. Please contact us if you require any further advice. Some of the latest Tumble Dryers have a Timer Delay function to allow you to take advantage of off-peak electricity rates and others have a type of Artificial Intelligence that will determine the most efficient programme. An example of this is Whirlpools 6th Sense range, or the Fuzzy Logic feature found in AEG appliances.

Positioning

When thinking about where to place your Tumble Dryer you will need to consider that, if it is a vented model, it will require access to the outside wall for the venting hose. The surface on which the appliance will stand should be level; this reduces noise and vibrations (the appliance’s feet can be adjusted slightly to help). A guidance size of 850mm x 600mm x 600mm H x D x W should be allowed, but please measure your space before you order. There are some smaller Tumble Dryers measuring 670mm x 480mm x 490mm H x D x W available on this web site. If you require one of these or want further information please contact us at Armagh Electrical.com or visit Dalzell’s of Markethill.

Manager’s Tip

When planning your purchase, it’s a good idea to consider what guarantee the manufacturer is providing, as well as your budget and specific needs. Most manufacturers, like Zanussi, Electrolux and Beko will offer a one-year warranty, but some, such as Hotpoint, Indesit and Creda, offer an additional five years of parts cover. Bosch offers a full two-year warranty and their Tumble Dryers offer excellent value for this extra piece of mind. Miele also offers a two-year guarantee (and sometimes longer) but their appliances have a premium price. A reverse drum Tumble Dryer is also worth considering. This will help prevent your clothes getting tangled and creasing heavily, making ironing easier.

Go to Tumble Dryers to purchase your appliance now.