Dryers are some of the most popular appliances for many homes. Whether gas or electric, most of these have outdoor venting to get rid of hot air from the machine. However, if you live in a small space like an apartment or an RV, external venting may not be an option, and you may result in buying a ventless dryer. This discussion explores more about a dryer without a vent, usage, benefits, and drawbacks. Keep reading.
What is a Ventless Dryer?
As the name suggests, a ventless dryer doesn’t have an external vent to expel air from the dryer as it has a different drying process. It’s portable, and you can set it anywhere in the house. There are two types of dryers without vents that are available.
Condenser Dryer
The first option is a condenser dryer, the most common model for most homes. This appliance drys the clothes by recirculating air inside the machine. It works just like a vented option, only that it doesn’t exhaust the hot air via a vent or hose.
Instead, the hot air is cooled down by heat exchange. The moist air is then liquefied and collected in an internal chamber. It’s then reheated, and the cycle continues until your clothes dry. Finally, the water is directed into a tray where you can easily dispose of it.
Heat Pump Dryers
The next option is the heat pump dryers equally popular amongst homes. The design is slightly different from the condenser dryers because they lack a condenser. Nonetheless, the heating cycle involves recirculating the hot air until the complete drying process. In this case, no moisture is created in the dryer, and hence you don’t have to collect water in a tray.
Benefits of Ventless Dryers
Convenient
First off, ventless dryers are convenient because you can place them anywhere in your home, just like any other appliance. You don’t have to worry about venting the dryer, which may involve drilling through the walls.
Because of their convenience, you can choose your favorite brand depending on many factors such as quality, durability, and customer reviews. Ventless dryers are popular in apartments, studios, basements, or RVs.
Economical
If you live in an apartment in a large city, your only option for laundry would be to visit a laundromat which is pretty common. There are many disadvantages of taking your laundry to such units. For example, it can be expensive and may take most of your time. In this case, a ventless dryer is the most economical option that can save you a penny.
Energy efficiency
Generally, dryers are the primary energy consumers in homes and contribute a large percentage to your electricity bill. Despite this, ventless dryers consume less heat than their vented counterparts because of hot air recirculation. Therefore, if you want to save some bucks, you can go for the ventless options.
Easy setup
Unlike the vented dryers requiring venting via a wall, you don’t have to worry about setting up a ventless dryer. You only need to plug into an electric connection and start the drying cycle.
Gentle on Laundry
Vented dryers can be hard on your clothes, leaving them dry and hard to touch. On the other hand, condenser dryers are gentle on your fabric and will leave them feeling warm and cozy.
Drawbacks of Ventless Dryers
As earlier mentioned, ventless dryers are an excellent option for homes without enough space to install a vent. Even though they are convenient for many homes, they also have some drawbacks to using these models.
Little maintenance
Vented dryers require regular maintenance at least twice a year involving cleaning the ductwork using special tools and equipment such as a vacuum, vent kit, and power drill.
For the ventless dryer, the maintenance is limited and not so elaborate because it doesn’t have an exhaust for air and lint from the clothes. However, they require cleaning at least every three months to remove lint and improve efficiency.
If you house them inside a closet, ensure the door is wide open during a regular drying cycle. It’s essential to vacuum the unit regularly to clean and remove excess dust.
In addition, empty the lint trap every so often to get rid of the lint. As well, clean it with soapy water, and a soft lint brush, and rinse thoroughly.
Not suitable for large families
Ventless dryers have a smaller capacity and can only dry a few clothes at a time. It can be costly for large families with bigger loads of laundry and therefore not be the best option.
Costly
Even though they are energy-efficient, it’s costly budgeting for them. Besides, if you are renting accommodation, you may have to buy one in case the apartment doesn’t have one already.
Humidity issues
Ventless dryers do not require external venting to get rid of hot air, leading to humidity issues around the house. If your home doesn’t have ample ventilation, moisture can settle on surfaces and create a suitable environment for mold growth. Such growths can lead to respiratory problems for you and your family, leading to more trips to the ER.
Further, mold can destroy furniture, walls, and ceiling, which dramatically devalues your property.
Conclusion
Ventless dryers are great options if you live in a small space. They are coupled with multiple benefits, including convenience, energy efficiency, and little maintenance. However, they are not suitable for larger loads of laundry and are costly to acquire. Whereas ventless dryers don’t have an external vent, they require proper airflow for maximum efficiency.
