Tumble drier - pros/cons of vented vs condenser please?

[Sleepwhenidie]

As per title really, we are about to buy a tumble drier, it will be possible to vent it but more convenient not to have to make a hole in the external wall and also with positioning...anyone had both or highly recommend a condenser one? I have only used washer/drier (not very good) and vented (great but room a bit colder because of the hole maybe?)

Thanks

If I were buying a new tumble drier today I would definitely go for a condensor.

I had a condenser which was crap, but that was a long time ago. maybe they are much better now. The vented ones we've had since have been great. Our solution to the venting issue is that we have the dryer it in the garage next to the side door, which has a catflap - we've never had a cat, its there specifically for the hose .

Aren't vented much cheaper to buy and run (they don't have the condenser to run or go wrong).

I think generally vented are cheaper to run, except for the condenser ones with an A energy rating.

Old lady, please can you tell me why you would choose a condenser? How often do you need to empty the water?

My condensor is cheap to run, it's 10 years old and it's a Miele - I empty it after ever load, easy peasy!

We have a condenser one, does the job, I empty it when the light comes on . Don't use it that much, mainly for bed linen or towels during winter.

I bought a new condender tumble drier two weeks ago... it is heaven compared to a vented.
Just empty it after each load and voila.

What's the difference - I have only every had a condensor?

A condenser condenses the water and stores it until you remove it.
A vented has a vent with which the water escapes. So the vent needs to be put out a window or such like.

Oldlady and sian, please could you tell me why you find condenser better than vented though?

Some good info here,look on the right hand side of the page.

if you want, you can hire a Core Drill from a tool hire shop. It will cut a very neat, round hole through a wall, that the duct will fit through. It is so easy that if you hire one, you will want to make holes for a tumble drier, a cooker hood and a bathroom fan before you give it back.

I just find it easier.
As long as you have somewhere to vent a vented one it souldnt be a problem either way.
I went for the best energy rating for my money... a B, and it has a sensor which stops when the clothes are dry so saves energy.

My condenser is now plumbed in to the drain for the washing machine, so no longer needs emptying.

It is supposedly less efficient than the vented one that it replaced. But as already mentioned, it senses when the clothes are dry and stops, so overall I reckon it's more efficient.

We recently bought a vented one as the lady at John Lewis strongly recommended it. Cheaper, cheaper to run etc. It has a timer or a sensor. It is a Zanussi and cost £200. First tumble dryer I've owned so can't compare...

Thanks Holly, very useful link. I am still confused about why condenser better for some people, is it because you had to put the hose out every use, rather than it being left out through the back and through a wall, or are there other reasons?

Sorry, just got back to this. I'd personally go for a condensor because my vented one just vents into my hall, and I'm statring to grow mould.

I have been following this thread and have bought a tumble drier today. Wasn't sure which type to get as it will be next to a window so could have got either. Ended up with a Zanussi condenser as I thought it would be better if I wanted to move it in the future to somewhere where it couldn't be vented.