Tumble dryer: Types, Benefits, & Problems

In our previous article we looked at the washing machine in detail, focusing on what it is, its uses and common problems. One major drawback or feature which lacks in washing machines is the ability to dry clothes. Line drying though effective presents its own set of challenges, for instance during the rainy season, line drying won’t work.

This drawback necessitated the invention of another type of machine to dry clothes after they are done in the washing machine. Like its use suggests the machine is called a tumble dryer and it dries clothes faster and more efficiently without any hassles. 

In this article we are going to explore the features of the tumble dryer, and learn how to troubleshoot some of the common problems which can be encountered when using it. 

WHAT IS A TUMBLE DRYER?

Also known as a clothes dryer, is a powered household appliance that is used to remove moisture from a load of clothing, bedding and other textiles, usually shortly after they are washed in a washing machine

All tumble dryers operate on the same general principle. An electric motor rotates the drum filled with wet clothes whilst simultaneously driving the fan which circulates hot air through the drum. A heater heats the air, and a thermostat maintains the correct temperature.

Let’s take a look at different types of tumble dryers.

Condenser tumble dryer

Condenser tumble dryers remove moisture from your clothes and store it in a removable tank. This kind of dryer is ideal if you can’t vent the moisture outside using a hose, but you’ll need to empty the tank after each cycle ends.

The main benefit of a condenser dryer is that it can be installed anywhere and doesn’t need to be located next to a door or window, so if you are looking for convenience perhaps this is the one for you. The downside is that you will have to regularly empty the reservoir of extracted water.

Heat pump tumble dryer

Heat pump tumble dryers recycle hot air created inside the drum to dry clothes, which makes them really efficient. This saves a lot more energy, but programmes may take a little longer to dry laundry.

Using a lower temperature to dry the load, a heat pump tumble dryer offers better protection for your clothes as higher temperatures can damage certain fabrics. Whilst it takes slightly longer to dry a load compared to a standard condenser dryer, it can help you significantly reduce your energy consumption

Vented tumble dryer

Vented tumble dryers remove moisture from your clothes and feed it outside through a vent. They come with a long hose to help you do this, but you may need to get it installed by a professional if you want to vent the moisture out through a wall. While vented models tend to be the cheapest on the market, they’re also the least energy efficient.

Vented dryers are, on average, the fastest drying option. However, like condenser dryers, vented dryers aren’t very energy efficient

So the big question is which tumble dryer is the best? This depends with the situation of end user as everyone has different needs, but generally it can be said that the heat pump tumble dryer is the most energy efficient type of tumble dryers and no venting is needed.

Heat pump dryers don’t create hot air or moisture so they’re perfect for apartments. They even use less than half the energy of a vented or condenser dryer, so the higher purchase price is recouped on power bill savings over the dryer’s lifetime.

Tumble dryers have earned a top post as one of the favorite household appliances and are especially a godsend to large families which go through a lot of laundry every week and for people with limited line drying space, let’s look at some of the benefits of tumble dryers in detail.

BENEFITS OF TUMBLE DRYERS

Health and hygiene benefit

According to new research, leaving your laundry out to dry indoors poses a health risk to those prone to allergies, asthma and hay fever by raising the moisture levels in the air.

No more relying on the weather

 You can’t always predict the weather in the South Africa, especially during winter, which is why tumble dryers are a more reliable choice.

 It’s quicker

If you need to turn around your laundry in minimal time, a quick spin in the tumble drier is a highly preferable compared to leaving clothes out to dry.

Convenient

If you’re short on space, you don’t want to hang your clothes on every radiator, curtain rail and door in your home! This is why a tumble drier makes a whole lot more sense.

The tumble dryer is a great household appliance providing so much convenience; it goes without saying that when it experiences a breakdown then the quality of life is affected to a very great extent. This is why it’s important to be familiar with some of the common problems of tumble dryers to help in easy troubleshooting. In the next section we will look at these common problems.

However if you are not the tech savvy or hands on type of person you can call the professionals whenever you encounter a problem. If you are around the Gauteng province you can contact Isocool Pty Ltd. They carry out tumble dryer supply, tumble dryer installation and tumble dryer repairs or service in Johannesburg North, Johannesburg South, Johannesburg East and West. You can jump to the end of the article to see the areas they cover or continue to learn more about the common tumble dryer problems.   

COMMON TUMBLE DRYER PROBLEMS

No heat: -This is the most common problem found in tumble dryers that can occur to plethora of reasons. Before calling any experts check if there is a button on the back on the machine to reset it. If this doesn’t help then further troubleshooting is needed. The tumble dryer may have blockages (with lint/fluff), the heater may be faulty, thermostat may be faulty, or have tripped.

If you are in the Gauteng call Isocool pty Ltd engineers to come and diagnose the actual problem and carry out repairs on your tumble dryer.

Drum not turning: -This stops the dryer drying effectively. It’s a fairly common problem, and can usually get easily fixed by replacing a faulty belt or in other cases when it’s the belt, looking at the motor, motor capacitor or the jockey wheels.

You can attempt to do this by yourself or contact Isocool pty Ltd professionals to come and fix it for you.

Not starting: -Whilst not a common problem, you may have a faulty door switch, or the machine isn’t vented properly.
To diagnose the correct problem without much damage, don’t attempt repairs by yourself, instead contact Isocool pty Ltd professional engineers to come and do it for you.

Noisy Machine: -This is usually caused by faulty bearings, jockey wheels or worn felt pads. When people have their washing machine and tumble dryer stacked, the vibration can cause damage to one or both appliances.

The noise can become unbearable to an extent it disturbs the peace the peace in your home. Consider calling Isocool pty Ltd engineers to come and fix it pronto!

Water leaks: –This is commonly due to the water tank (in a condenser tumble dryer) not been emptied, or not placed back into the housing correctly. Carry out some checks on this apparatus to see if it’s emptied or housed properly when you see water leaks.

If it’s not an issue with the water tank then contact Isocool pty Ltd engineers to come and take a look.

Bad smells/Odor: -This is often caused by a buildup of lint/fluff. You may find a bend in the vent hose or the filters haven’t been cleaned properly.

If you experience any type of faults with your tumble dryer please contact approved Isocool pty Ltd engineers on 078 922 2884 who’ll be more than happy to help.

Take note though, that some of these faults can be totally avoided by purchasing the right tumble dryer from the right manufacturer. Not all tumble dryers are created equal. Some brands are more durable and efficient than others, and at Isocool pty Ltd we have come to appreciate some brands more than others.

BEST TUMBLE DRYER BRANDS WE TRUST AT ISOCOOL PTY LTD

SAMSUNG TUMBLE DRYER

Besides its large capacity, this dryer boasts the intelligent Optimal Dry™ System that monitors and adjusts drying time while the Quick Dry function dries small loads in just 35 minutes, great for when you’re in a hurry. Boasting a 7-Star Energy Rating, this dryer is highly efficient and will keep your usage down.

At Isocool pty Ltd we carry out Samsung tumble dryer repairs in Johannesburg on all models so contact us if you face any problems.

LG TUMBLE DRYER

Have a number of high-end tumble dryers available, all with a contemporary style in black, white or silver. LG tumble dryers cater for the more expensive end of the market, with most models featuring advanced drying systems and temperature controls. LG tumble dryers are easy to use and energy efficient.

At Isocool pty Ltd we carry out tumble dryer repairs in Johannesburg on all models so contact us if you face any problems.

BOSCH TUMBLE DRYER

Product is great and fantastic with a gazillion programmes and tweaking options. Can handle all material types but a very full read of instructions required as selecting some options, such as cooler cycle is not clear or intuitive.  It dries clothes quickly and is also energy efficient as it automatically switches off if clothes are dry before the end of the scheduled cycle.

At Isocool pty Ltd we carry out Bosch tumble dryer repairs in Johannesburg on all models so contact us if you face any problems.

HISENSE TUMBLE DRYER

This product is excellent, stylish and efficient offering great value with its advanced technology and plenty of settings. At Isocool pty Ltd we carry out Hisense tumble dryer repairs in Johannesburg on all models so contact us if you face any problems.

SIEMENS TUMBLE DRYER

Firstly this tumble dryer is amazing and the build quality is brilliant. There are plenty of programmes to ensure that the machine dries the clothes without over drying them which ensures your clothes last a long time.

The machine is super quiet and with the LED inside the drum makes finding loose items very helpful. All of the controls and dials are easy to read and understand which makes using the machine very simple. 

At Isocool pty Ltd we carry out Siemens tumble dryer repairs in Johannesburg on all models so contact us if you face any problems.

SMEG TUMBLE DRYER

This tumble dryer was a great all-rounder in our tests. We found it simple to use and the main display was clear and properly labeled. There’s ample space for a family load, too. We were impressed by how thoroughly it dried laundry

At Isocool pty Ltd we carry out Smeg tumble dryer repairs in Johannesburg on all models so contact us if you face any problems.

Tumble Dryer Experts Say

You can get professional advice on all tumble dryer related issues from, buying a tumble dryer, tumble dryer installation, tumble dryer repair / service at Isocool pty Ltd.

At Isocool pty Ltd South Africa we have been serving Gauteng, for more than 10 years. We have the knowledge and experience to deal with all technical problems that affect tumble dryers. Call us on 078 922 2884 or contact us via email at info@isocool.co.za for all inquiries.

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