SThere are many who desire them, many look at them with suspicion, some are completely detractors of them. Then there are those who use them in public laundromats, but there are also those who have never tried them and those – still quite a few – own one. Let’s talk about dryers, home appliances among the least widespread, but increasingly a topic of debate within the four walls. Are they really needed? Do they damage the garments? How to choose them? Let’s try to clarify.
Searches for clothes dryers increase in autumn
With the first cold weather, the season of dryers returns, ever more allies of domestic comfort. According to the data idealan international price comparison portal, online interest in these appliances has grown by +54% in the last yearwith a real boom between September and October, when searches increased by over +121%. A clear sign of how autumn pushes Italians to look for practical solutions to deal with humidity and manage laundry with less stress.
The trend is also positive on the price front: the average cost of dryers is recording a slight decline of -0.7% on an annual basis, in contrast to the sector’s inflation (+3.3%). On average, the maximum savings recorded are around -4.7%.
Dryers: the pros
Let’s start with the advantages that this appliance can bring to our homes. Obviously the main one is the possibility of drying laundry quickly, a particularly interesting aspect on winter or rainy days, but also in general for those who live in small apartments, without adequate space where they can spread out.
The dryer it also eliminates the messy effect of the drying rack placed around the house, with clothes that risk falling or being bumped and also solves the problem of releasing humidity in the environmentsa circumstance that is not only unpleasant, but which can also increase the presence of bacteria and germs.
And even for those who have a terrace or balcony where they can hang out, but live in a particularly polluted area, the dryer can solve the problem of polluting particles or allergens that can stick to clothing and cause allergies.
Another advantage of dryers is that they allow you to reduce the use of the iron: the action of the heat combined with the circular movement of the clothes inside the drum ensures that they are not particularly wrinkled. Furthermore, some models are equipped with programs capable of guaranteeing an “ironing effect”.
Furthermore, the fact that the dryer can ruin clothes is an urban legend; just like the washing machine, the dryer also features several programs to choose from based on the items introduced (usually they are Cotton, Wool, Synthetics, Quick, Delicates and Anti-crease), including the most delicate ones.
The cons of dryers
There are basically two: energy consumption and ordinary maintenance. Owning a dryer means owning an extra appliance in your home. Energy consumption will therefore be increased, even if there are particularly high-performance ones on the market and they can always be used in time slots with reduced rate.
Another aspect that we can include in the cons is maintenance as particular attention must be paid to the filters and always kept clean so that the appliance lasts over time and works efficiently. Inside the filters they can become blocked fiber particles of fabrics and their presence could hinder proper functioning.
What factors to consider when choosing
If, once you have considered the pros and cons, you want to take the “big leap” and treat yourself to a dryer – perhaps for Christmas – there are some factors to consider when choosing. First of all, perhaps trivial to say, the dimensions.
There are compact, slim and free-standing models. Compact and slim models are designed for use in smaller spaces, while free-standing models are ideal for those with more space. In general, the dimensions of a dryer can vary from a minimum of 60 cm high, 60 cm wide and 60 cm deep up to a maximum of 85 cm, 80 cm and 100 cm.
The second element to consider is certainly the load capacity which varies depending on the model. The most compact models have a load capacity of between 4 and 8 kg, while the free-standing models can reach up to 12 kg. It is better to choose a model with a load capacity suited to your needs, so that you can carry out a complete load at once.
Also the energy classes they are obviously important. All products are classified into classes ranging from A to G. For example, a dryer with an energy class A can have an energy consumption of up to 2,000 watts, while a class B model can consume up to 3,500 watts. The most efficient ones have an A+++ energy class.
Condensing or heat pump?
Depending on the drying method used, dryers are available condensation or heat pump. The former are equipped with a condenser which, via electrical resistance, is able to transform humidity into water, which will be discharged into a special removable container. It’s about models suitable for installation even in non-ventilated roomssince they do not produce steam and do not risk saturating the internal air. Heat pump dryers instead rely on the action of a compressor to produce hot air useful for drying laundry. They can be installed in all environments and are equipped with a circuit powered by refrigerant gas which will always return perfect garments, also allowing save significantly on your electricity bill.