Tumble Dryers Buyers Guide
Getting practical on a practical appliance
It's not a very uncommon occurrence when a particular dress to be worn on a special day is found among a heap of soiled clothes and it is enough to spoil the mood for infinite hours. Thanks to the industrial revolution, today we enjoy its fruits in many forms a tumble driers are one among them. Practical appliances especially for busy households, they help to save time on drying and ironing, get rid of disappointment and keep control on rapidly piling-up laundry.
Choosing the best
Graded A to G, it's a measure of the drying capacity of a tumble drier given by the manufacturer according to the individual drying performances under Trading Standards' guidelines. The A -s are the best and sport hefty price tags and feature more than two heat settings.
Size matters and up to a great extent
Any object occupies a certain amount of space and tumblers are no exceptions. Thus, one should think primarily where the dryer is to be installed; though most of the tumble driers come in a dimension of a standard washing machine (85 x 60 x60) cubic cm. A capacity of 6kg dry weight is common and some these appliances are mostly designed to fit in a space about two-thirds of that of a washing machine. However, compactness eats into the capacity though the ones with more room inside and a powerful motor can accommodate up to 10 kilos at once.
Drumming the Finer Details
The drum in a tumble drier should be a large one so that it can allow the maximum amount of hot air to circulate throughout the load. This eventually speeds-up the drying time and reduce creasing. Stainless steel is usually the chosen material; for the drums; apart from resisting rust, they provide a smooth, protuberance-free surface. However, depending on the motor, certain drums are bi-directional that facilitates less tangling, ironing and wear and tear on clothes. Though costlier, they prove a good value for money in the long run.
Power
The consumption of energy being measured in kilowatts per hour, a higher kilowatts value translates to more running cost. Thus, a comparison between different models is recommended when it comes to buying one, and since the running cost also depends upon the frequency of usage, a little thought usually proves good before buying a high-kilowatt machine.
Efficiency
Defined as the ratio of the output to the input of any system, it's a must to check whether the daily load and the power consumption bills come to an even point. One way to obtain optimum efficiency is by keeping the fluff filter clean.
Driers need to remove the damp air created inside while being used; known as either vented or condenser types, they extract the hot damp air by venting it through the front/back of the machine that leads through a pipe to the outside. In case of the
Driers need to remove the damp air created inside while being used; known as either vented or condenser types, they extract the hot damp air by venting it through the front/back of the machine that leads through a pipe to the outside. In case of the vented ones, the pipe can either go via a hole in the wall or through a window depending upon the model; therefore, the extra cost and inconvenience of making the necessary hole has to be taken into account. On the other hand, the condenser driers separate water from the moist air and accumulate it in a removable compartment to be emptied later. This variety is more expensive than the former types, so a comparison between the investment amounts is strongly recommended.
Timers
An option that gives the automated tumblers an upper hand over the manual ones; the timers are actually sensors that calculate the drying times required for drying different fabrics. That means no manual observation is required but a hefty price is what one has to pay for it.
Additional Safety Features
Well built, sturdy construction, doors that can take all the hardships- but if a safety lock is absent, it may all end in a dismay, especially if there are infants in the house. Need we say more?
Key Features
| Key Features | | | Capacity | | | Power Source | | | Design |
| | With over 600 tumble dryers on the market, key features such as Capacity, Power Source & Design are important factors when buying. These features not only effect the performane and quality of the tumble dryer you choose, but also the price. Shown below are price guides for a selection of tumble dryers focusing on the key features: Capacity, Power Source & Design. |
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| Capacity | | 2.99 Kg | £140.00 | | 5.44 Kg | £235.00 | | 5.49 Kg | £271.00 | | 4.99 Kg | £314.00 | | 9.97 Kg | £419.00 | | * | 5.99 Kg | £354.00 |
| | | Power Source | | Electric | £328.00 | | | |
| | | Design | | Free-standing | £341.00 | | Built-in | £698.00 | | | |
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Price Guide
| Min | £116.90 | | Avg | £352.16 | | Max | £1,059.00 |
| | Tumble Dryers cost anywhere from £116.90 for a basic tumble dryer with few features to around £1,059.00 for a fully featured tumble dryer. |
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Brand Guide
| Popular Brands | | | HOTPOINT | | | MIELE | | | Zanussi | | | CREDA | | | Indesit | | | BOSCH |
| | The most popular tumble dryers brand is HOTPOINT. The most expensive tumble dryers brand is NEFF. If you're looking for a bargain then look out for CRUSADER branded tumble dryers as generally they offer the cheapest tumble dryers. |
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