Different Models Of Commercial Tumble Dryers Explained

Commercial tumble dryers are not all the same. There are several models to choose from, each using different heating elements and technologies to dry clothes and linen to a high standard in as little time as possible.

There are 3 main types of tumble dryers: condenser tumble dryers, heat pump tumble dryers, and vented tumble dryers. The difference between these dryers is the way each model extracts hot air.

•    Condenser dryers convert hot air into water, ready to be removed by the user.
•    Vented dryers expel hot air through an external vent.
•    Heat pump tumble dryers reuse the hot air they generate keeping energy consumption to a minimum.

 

Condenser Dryer

If you need a tumble dryer that dries your laundry slightly quicker, consider a condenser model. Condenser dryers do not need an externally vented hose, giving your more freedom where you choose to install your appliance. However, a condenser dryer does need a constant supply of cool air to function. When installing, make sure the dryer is in a well-ventilated space so warm air can easily escape. 

A condenser tumble dryer uses high temperatures to dry clothes and linens, reaching a maximum of 70-75°C. In comparison, the max temperature reached in a heat pump dryer is 50°C. Although the drying times for cycles in a condenser tumble dryer are shorter than those of a heat pump dryer, the high temperature combined with the expulsion of hot air means the dryer uses significantly more energy.

 

Heat Pump Tumble Dryer

Using a closed-loop heat exchange system, heat pump tumble dryer dry clothes at a lower temperature, providing better protection for your laundry. Although drying times are slightly longer when compared to condenser tumble dryers, heat pump tumble dryers offer great energy savings, keeping your utility bills to a minimum. 

A heat pump tumble dryer uses hot air to absorb moisture from your clothes. After this air passes through the drum, it goes through the evaporator, which removes the moisture. This is then collected and stored in a tank. The remaining air is reheated and used to continue drying your clothes. While both condenser and vented tumble dryer release the hot air used to dry clothes, heat pump technology reuses it. 

 

Vented Tumble Dryers

Vented tumble dryers expel hot air through an external vent. This keeps your utility bills to a minimum as the machine does not convert hot air into water, it simply expels it. Although vented tumble dryers are energy efficient, heat pump tumble dryers are the most-energy efficient machines on the market. 

When buying a vented tumble dryer, you need to check that there is a suitable location on site for the appliance. The dryer needs to be installed near an external vent that has been fitted to an external wall, allowing the damp air to escape outside. 

 

Gas Dryers

 

Pros of Gas Dryers

 

Cheaper to Run:

Gas dryers generally have cheaper running costs since gas is nearly always cheaper than electricity. Operating costs can be as much as 50% cheaper than electric dryers. 

Gas is also a more efficient heat source than electricity. Electric dryers need to convert electric power into heat, which creates some energy loss. On the other hand, gas combusts and instantly turns into heat within the machine itself, so no energy is lost. 

Apart from being more energy efficient, gas dryers may also be more environmentally friendly depending on how your power is being generated. If your electricity comes from solar power, then an electric dryer is your best bet. However, if your electricity comes from a fossil fuel power plant, gas is the winner.

 

Fast Drying Time

Gas dryers are also faster at heating up clothes than electric dryers. Gas ignites immediately whereas electric coils take time to heat up. Gas dryers are also able to generate more heat than electric dryers because electric components don’t run as hot as a gas burner. Because of this, drying times are shorter. 

 

Cons of Gas

 

More Expensive Initially

Gas dryers are more expensive to purchase than electric ones because the components are more expensive. 

Gas Connection

All sites have electricity, but not all laundry rooms have a gas connection. Even if gas is available, gas is dangerous to work with so gas dryers must be installed by a professional gas fitter or plumber. The consequences of a faulty installation can include an explosion, fire, or carbon monoxide poisoning. 

Ventilation

Another factor to consider in the installation process is the cost of installing a vent. All gas dryers must be vented to the outside. This is not only to enable moisture to escape, but more importantly to prevent any build-up of gas by-products. 

If you require a gas line and a vent to be installed, then these costs can be large. If you already have a gas supply and a vent, then you still gave to budget a bit more for the additional cost of the dryers being fitted by a qualified gas fitter or plumber.

 

Electric Dryers

 

Pros of Electric

 

Less Expensive to Purchase Initially

Electric dryers do not cosy as much up front to purchase because electric components are much cheaper than those required for gas.

 

Installation is Easier

These dryers do not require any special connections. Electric dryers also often do not need to be vented to the outside. Many electric dryers use cool air to condense water vapour and this is then collected in a drain pipe or collection tank.

 

Cons of Electric

 

More Expensive to Run

Electric dryers cost more to run in the long term because electricity is more expensive than gas and electric dryers take longer to dry linen than gas ones. 

 

Longer Drying Times

Because electric dryers take longer to heat up, and are not as hot as gas dryers, drying times are longer. This means fewer loads can be dried with an electric dryer than a gas dryer in a similar time period. 

How to Reduce the Energy Consumption of a Commercial Tumble Dryer

 

There are a number of ways to be more energy efficient. Airflow is the key to efficient running of the dryer; therefore fluff should be removed from filters after each cycle, and ventilation should be cleaned and any vent ducting kept short and smooth to minimise restrictions on airflow.

Load size is important, underload and you will not be running efficiently, overload and you will get a lower quality of drying as air cannot flow. 

Regular servicing and maintenance are essential to help keep your machine in the best possible condition to reduce breakdowns, save money, and to keep your machine safe and compliant. Regular servicing by a specialist commercial laundry company like GA Commercial, together with user maintenance in line with operating instructions, will mitigate these issues and improve performance.