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Dryer Buying Guide

Whether you are moving into a home and need to install a new dryer for the first time, or you realize that the one you have simply isn't cutting it anymore in terms of efficiency, Whether you are moving into a home and need to install a new dryer for the first time, or you realize that the one you have simply isn't cutting it anymore in terms of efficiency, purchasing a new clothes dryer is a decision that needs some thought.

There are plenty of things to keep in mind, from your needs to what you can spend, but with a few parameters in mind and some knowledge about the choices in front of you, you'll be able to make a great decision that will serve you well for years to come.

Overview

First, take a look at what you have to choose from when it comes to clothes dryers. Typically, in terms of drum capacity, a dryer will have between five to seven cubic feet of space, unless you're dealing with a compact model, which has about three.

A dryer can be powered by electricity or gas, and though gas is slightly more expensive, it tends to be better in the long run.

What Washer dryers are Available

When you go to buy a dryer, you'll find that there are plenty of different choices in front of you. In terms of brand, GE, Kenmore, Maytag and Whirlpool are the biggest producers of clothes dryers out there and you'll see that they have a market share of about 80 percent of people buying dryers.

If you live in a house, with other people and have the space, think about getting a full-size model, which tends to have a greater loading capacity and measures about 28 inches in width.

A space-saving model on the other hand, are only about 24 inches wide and have about half the drum capacity of the full-sized models.

If you are looking for both a washer and dryer, take a look at the laundry center unit, which can act as both a washer and a dryer and range between 700 and 2000 dollars.

Condenser or Vented Dryer

When you are buying a dryer, you will have to make a choice between a vented tumble dryer and a condenser tumble dryer; this will determine how your clothes actually get dry.

A vented dryer pushes hot damp air out a vent, while a condenser dryer turns the steam into water, which then needs to be manually emptied out.

While vented dryers are cheaper and more reliable, they do need to be vented through an open window to function properly, something that can be difficult if it is winter.

A condenser, on the other hand, can be put anywhere, and if you have a good one, there will be no steam escaping into the room at all.

The issue with condenser dryers, though, is that they can leak damp air into your laundry room and cause mold or water damage, in addition to needing their reservoir emptied from time to time.

Dryers Features

When you are looking at getting a dryer, there are several features that you need to think about.

Energy source is the first feature to consider, whether you want your dryer run off of electricity or gas. As mentioned above, gas dryers are more expensive at the outset, but tend to be more energy efficient in the long run; they take less energy to run and compared to electric dryers, cost about thirty cents less per load to operated.

A moisture sensor is definitely a feature you want to consider; these sensors stop the cycle when the humidity drops below a certain level, resulting in less wear and tear on your clothes.

Older clothes dryers used to rely on temperature or thermostats to do this, but the addition of a moisture sensor has made the process a good deal more precise.

When the cycle stops as soon as your clothes are dry, you'll find that it saves energy, makes ironing easier, and gives your clothes a longer usable life.

Check for a cool down cycle. After your clothes are dry, the drum will keep moving for a certain period of time, though no heat is added; this helps prevent wrinkling.

Similarly, you'll find that by making sure that the capacity of your dryer matches the capacity of your washer, you'll get better results. Making sure that they match will help you get the most use out of both.

Take a look at the controls on the clothes dryers you are interested in. You'll have your choice digital or push button displays, but more often than not, you'll have things like a drum light, which can help you find things at the back of the dryer and a lint-filter light, that will tell you that the lint filler is full or blocked.

Also, check to see what settings are available; most dryers will at least have cotton and permanent press settings with options for less or more dry, but make sure that your dryer fits with the clothes you wear.

With these options in mind, there are a few things you can do to make sure you get the right dryer for you. First, don't pay for unnecessary extras.

Always Remember

Remember that the best dryer isn't the most expensive one; it's the one that's best for you! Do you need a speed-dry option, or can you get by with the normal cycles?

Similarly, it is good to know that a stainless steel drum does not improve performance, the way that it does for a washer. If your laundry room is near a kitchen or a bedroom, get a model that is known to run more quietly.

When you are looking for clothes dryers, there are plenty of options to choose from, so don't get hung up on one model or one feature. Take a look around, and shop wisely for this important appliance.

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