Vented Dryers
Most of us probably have a traditional vented dryer in our home. The basic way a dryer functions is by creating hot air. This hot air is blown over the wet clothes inside, and the resulting warm moist air is exhausted outside. This process removes the moisture from the clothes, and also prevents the house from becoming humid by sending that moisture directly outside.
Ventless Dryers
Ventless dryers work on the same principle, heat is created and warm air is blown over the wet clothes, but there is one major difference. Instead of dumping that warm moist air outside, the air is cooled back down to remove the moisture, and that heat is reused to keep drying the clothes. The moisture, or 'condensate' is collected and discharged down a drain. This means that the dryer doesn't need to be connected to the exterior. Because the dryer is re-using the heat instead of exhausting it all outside, it's actually more efficient than a traditional vented dryer.
Why Aren't They Popular?
Condensing dryers are not common in North America, but have been popular in Europe for decades. While there are likely many contributing factors, the most significant reason for this may simply be availability. Very few major North American brands have made them in the past, although that has recently begun to change.
The New Generation
While old condensing dryers used a resistive element (similar to a giant hairdryer) to create heat, the newest ventless dryers use a heat pump. Heat pumps don't 'create' heat like a hairdryer, they simply move it from one place to another, like your fridge does. Because of this, they are even more efficient, using 30-50% less electricity than a conventional dryer.
Advantages
Ventless dryers have many advantages over conventional appliances:
Efficient
Heat pump dryers use 30-50% less electricity than vented appliances.
Flexible
These units can be installed almost anywhere, including inside closets, since not all units require a drain.
No Ducts
Since they don't vent to the exterior, there is no need to install ducting or cut a hole in the wall. This makes installation cheaper and easier, while also increasing the airtightness of your home by reducing the number of holes in the building envelope.
Easier on Fabrics
Ventless dryers operate at a lower temperature - they are not as hard on clothes.
Disadvantages
Ventless dryers have some disadvantages too:
Smaller Load Size
The heat pump and drain system takes up space inside the machine, they often have a slightly reduced capacity compared to a vented appliance.
More Expensive
Heat pump dryers are more expensive to purchase up-front due to their increased mechanical complexity.
Increased Humidity
Although ventless dryers capture almost all of the humidity they extract, they can increase household humidity slightly.
Which One Should I Choose?
There are many factors to consider when purchasing a new dryer. If you have the budget, you should definitely consider going ventless. While higher-efficiency appliances cost more up-front, they tend to pay for themselves over time with reduced energy bills.
Key Points
Conventional dryers waste a lot of energy by heating up air and then dumping it outside.
Ventless dryers are more efficient because they re-use the heat they create.
Heat pump ventless dryers use 30-50% less energy than vented dryers.
Ventless dryers are becoming more widely available in North America.
Ventless dryers can be installed almost anywhere, and don't require cutting a hole in the wall.
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