Are heat pump dryers a type of condenser dryer?

A heat pump dryer is essentially a kind of condenser dryer, with one major difference. A condenser dryer removes moisture from clothing and deposits the water into a container or drainage tube, using the remaining warm air to blow back into the laundry, repeating the cycle. A heat pump dryer uses different technology to remove the water from your laundry, then re-heats and recycles the dry air.

How often should I clean my lint filter?

You should clean the lint filter after every load. This is important on two levels - firstly, it’s a fire hazard to leave lint in the filter. Secondly, a clogged-up lint filter reduces air-flow and efficiency, reducing the quality and speed of your dying cycle.

What clothes should not go in the dryer?

While it stands to reason that you should avoid putting anything in the dryer with a care tag that warns against tumble drying, there are certain additional items that should stay out of your machine. Running shoes, anything with a rubber backing (certain types of undergarments and shapewear, or active-wear, for example), pantyhose, bras or garments with embellishments. Always be sure to check the care labels on your clothing and if in doubt, check the manufacturer’s website.

Do I need to vent my dryer?

If you have a vented dryer, yes. The risks of not venting a dryer outside (this can be safely done with an opening laundry window) is expelling moist air into your home which can cause condensation and, over time, mould. There is also an increased fire risk due to lint being trapped in the external vents of the machine.

Which dryers are gentler on my clothes?

While heat pump dryers take longer to dry your clothes, they actually use lower temperatures and speeds than a traditional vented dryer, thus are less hard-wearing on your clothes. Over time, this can increase the life of your garments.

Dryer Buying Guide

1. Types Of Dryers

With so many differing dryers from vented to heat pump, it can be challenging to determine which suits your family best. In this buying guide we will go through the advantages of each & the trade-offs.

Vented

A vented dryer has an open system which requires a laundry with a window to the outside. It uses external air, drawn in over a heating coil, to dry laundry very quickly, expelling hot, moist air back out again. While the benefits of faster drying are undeniable, it performs less optimally in terms of energy ratings and isn’t usually appropriate for small-space laundries without access to a window.

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Condenser

Condenser dryers operate on a closed system - meaning the air is blown over the heating coil, into the tumble drum. Hot, moist air is then blown into the condenser chamber at which point the moisture from the air is drawn out and stored in a removable water container, and the remaining air is blown back into the dryer to begin the process again. While these dryers are an excellent solution for smaller spaces to ensure they don’t release moisture into the room, they do have the slight disadvantage of taking longer to dry clothes, as well as being able to accommodate smaller loads.

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Heat pump

A heat pump dryer works in a similar way to a condenser dryer, except that it doesn’t use a heat coil. Instead, it operates in much the same way as an air conditioning unit or fridge - compressing air via heat exchanger technology and utilising refrigerant, a working fluid that aids in the heating and extraction of hot air and water in your dryer. Like a condenser, it deposits water into a removable container, removing it from your clothes. The use of refrigerant instead of a heating coil, however, makes it the most energy efficient type of dryer on the market by far, meaning that while it can be more expensive to buy, it’s much cheaper to run in the long-term.

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2. Space

When it comes to choosing which dryer is best for your home, the space and layout of your laundry is a big consideration. Vented dryers tend to be smaller than their condenser counterparts, with the average dimensions of our vented range coming in at 795(h) x 600 (w) x 560 (d) and an average condenser model measuring 850 (h) x 600 (w) x 650 (d). Having a convenient and efficient structure to the way your space is utilised can make a big difference - for example, heat pump dryers cannot be wall-mounted, so you may like to consider a stacking kit or even a washer/dryer combo for smaller spaces. Be sure to leave adequate room behind the dryer for vents/hose hookups if necessary, as well as at least a few centimetres either side of the dryer for air circulation.

3. Size

Your household’s size and laundry requirements will dictate the size of the perfect Westinghouse dryer. With capacity ranging from 4.5kg all the way up to 8kg, there is something to suit every home. We’ve created a table below to help you decide what’s right for you.

Household size	Dryer capacity (kg)
1-2 people	4.5kg
2-3 people	5.5kg
3-4 people	6.5kg
4-5 people +	8kg

4. Energy Efficiency

Australia’s Energy Star-Rating scheme allows consumers to compare their products with similar models to understand how much energy they consume. The more stars, the more energy efficient a product is. While vented dryers are typically the least energy-efficient dryer model, our EasyCare heat pump dryer boasts a 7 star energy rating, making it one of the most competitive models on the market in terms of how efficiently it runs.

All Westinghouse dryers include a range of features allowing you to control the amount of energy consumed in a cycle, including eco settings, dryness variability and adjustable times for different drying needs. In addition, there are several ways in which you can improve the energy efficiency of your dryer, such as remembering to empty the lint filter after every use, and ensuring the water extraction container is emptied before use.

5. Speed

There are a number of variables which will determine the speed at which your load is ready. For starters, the size of your load compared with the capacity of your dryer will impact drying times, as will the nature of your laundry. Thicker, denser fabrics such as denim and heavy towels require more time than lighter, more delicate items.

Larger drums also move hot air around in a more efficient way, and this decreases drying time. Tip: if you have some items you need dried in a hurry, try reducing the amount of clothing in that load to ensure the most efficient outcome.

6. Dryer Programs

Understanding the different dryer programs and how they apply to your needs will greatly increase the efficiency of your machine. For example, if ironing isn’t your thing, the anti-crease program will leave clothes wrinkle-free and ready to wear. If energy efficiency is important to you, choosing the eco-dry setting will help you reduce on costs, or utilising the delayed start function to make the most of off-peak power prices. The delicates setting on your dryer is perfect for garments that need gentler handling, and can be utilised to prolong the life of your clothes.

DELICATES

For those extra special items that normally require a little extra care, the delicate cycle on our dryers is perfect to refresh your garments without causing any harm.

ECO COTTON

For maximum energy efficiency, select the Eco Cotton cycle and set the dryness level to 'cotton cupboard'. This will not only save you energy but also dry your cottons effectively.

7. Care Considerations

There are a few things to remember in looking after your Westinghouse dryer that will ensure it functions at its very best for years to come.

CLEANING THE LINT TRAP

As well as removing lint buildup from the lint tray after every use, it’s a good idea to properly clean the filter every few months. For a tutorial on how to properly clean it, this video is useful.

EMPTYING AND CLEANING WATER EXTRACTION CONTAINER

Condenser and heat pump dryers extract the moisture from hot air and deposit it into a container that fits into the body of the dryer. When this becomes too full, the dryer will no longer function as it should, which means you must empty it after each use. In order to prevent pooling water, ensure it is fully empty every time, by making sure all water has drained out of it.

CLEANING THE HEAT EXCHANGER

Every ten dryer loads, it’s important to give the heat exchanger and filter system of your heat pump dryer a good clean, as the residue from clothing, lint and fabric softener can clog it up, reducing air-flow and drying efficiency. This can be done by removing all the filters, including the lint trap, and using the soft brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to extract all the dust and clothing residue. You can then go back over it with a damp microfibre cloth.

8. FAQs

Are heat pump dryers a type of condenser dryer?
A heat pump dryer is essentially a kind of condenser dryer, with one major difference. A condenser dryer removes moisture from clothing and deposits the water into a container or drainage tube, using the remaining warm air to blow back into the laundry, repeating the cycle.

A heat pump dryer uses different technology to remove the water from your laundry, then re-heats and recycles the dry air.
How often should I clean my lint filter?
You should clean the lint filter after every load. This is important on two levels - firstly, it’s a fire hazard to leave lint in the filter. Secondly, a clogged-up lint filter reduces air-flow and efficiency, reducing the quality and speed of your dying cycle.
What clothes should not go in the dryer?
While it stands to reason that you should avoid putting anything in the dryer with a care tag that warns against tumble drying, there are certain additional items that should stay out of your machine. Running shoes, anything with a rubber backing (certain types of undergarments and shapewear, or active-wear, for example), pantyhose, bras or garments with embellishments. Always be sure to check the care labels on your clothing and if in doubt, check the manufacturer’s website.
Do I need to vent my dryer?
If you have a vented dryer, yes. The risks of not venting a dryer outside (this can be safely done with an opening laundry window) is expelling moist air into your home which can cause condensation and, over time, mould. There is also an increased fire risk due to lint being trapped in the external vents of the machine.
Which dryers are gentler on my clothes?
While heat pump dryers take longer to dry your clothes, they actually use lower temperatures and speeds than a traditional vented dryer, thus are less hard-wearing on your clothes. Over time, this can increase the life of your garments.