Would a vented dryer pipe vent at front gable end be very unsightly?

anotherquestion

Hi folks,

Currently we have a condenser-dryer in small bedroom near front of bungalow, gable side. No where else really to put it.
 
We have to buy a new dryer, as old one not worth repairing, and the thought has often crossed my mind, that we would be better with a vented dryer, no condenser unit to clean or water tank to empty, only the fluff unit.

The only problem is we would need to put a hole through the gable wall near front of bungalow with pipe to vent the new dryer if not a condenser.

Would this be very unsightly with all the steam coming out near front of gable side?

We do have a gully further back in gable towards back of house, but it would mean running a far longer pipe from where the vented pipe exits, and not sure if this would work.

To be honest I am really fed up with condenser dryers and their maintenance, hence the thought of the vented dryer.

At the same time, I don't want the gable to look like a mini steam train.

Any advice on this very gratefully received,
Many thanks.

TELLIT01

Not if it is done properly.  It will be no more unsightly than the vent/flue from a boiler.  In fact less so, as the vent plate would be only be standing out from the wall by a couple of centimetres.

Rodders53

Running cost of a vented dryer vs a modern heat pump condenser should make you reconsider this plan.

Vented TDs are getting hard to find (impossible for the better brands).

e.g. Currys Logik brand:https://www.currys.co.uk/appliances/laundry/tumble-dryers/logik
7kg vented: C energy, 520 kWh per annum. £199.
7kg condenser: B energy, 504 kWh pa. £209
8kg heatpump. A++ energy, 235 kWh pa. £299.

If you pay, say, 30p a unit of electric (kWh) then (520-235)*£0.30 =£85.50 extra electricity every year of use!

Not the best brand or retailer in the UK but do some more research into other brands and running costs before spending £ss on a hole in the wall?

casper_gutman

Most condenser dryers can be set up to drain to mains drainage instead of to a tank that has to be emptied. We have ours set up this way, so now we only have to clean out the fluff filter as in a vented dryer. Well okay, there's also the condenser, but that's only needed infrequently - I think the current machine has only demanded I clean the condenser twice since we've owned it, so about once every 10 months! 

So, if you're considering putting a great big hole through the wall for a vented dryer, consider whether a much smaller hole plus a little run of pipe could allow you to plumb in the condenser dryer you already own. 

anotherquestion

Thanks for replies everyone, We are thinking over all your good advice, and probably will go for a condenser or Heat-pump dryer, The hole in the wall seemed an ok idea but starting to rule it out.

Thanks to the poster for the Currys List.

£300 would be an ok price for a heat-pump dryer, but just wondering how much extra time it would take to dry a load, as it does say that it can can take longer with this kind of dryer, as they reach 50 degrees rather than 70 with a condenser.

Usually on the condenser we have had to to set the timer for 100-120 mins to get the load dried, so just wondering how long extra the Heat-pump would take?

Many thanks once again.

wigglygiggly

We have a heat pump dryer and find it really doesn't take much longer than our old vented one - despite people claiming it takes hours to dry. We have also noticed it uses significantly less electricity and our clothes don't come out cooked. Wouldn't ever go back to a vented now.

anotherquestion

Thanks for that, can I just ask if the actual room itself gets any hotter, as I do store some other items in there, and increased heat or condensation would do these items no good.

wigglygiggly

anotherquestion said:

Thanks for that, can I just ask if the actual room itself gets any hotter, as I do store some other items in there, and increased heat or condensation would do these items no good.

No increased heat at all and no condensation on the windows or door. It is also a lot quieter!

koalakoala

I have gone from a condenser to a heatpump and don’t find it takes any longer really

casper_gutman

A heat pump dryer should heat the room significantly less than a standard condenser dryer. The condenser puts heat out into the room, whereas the heat pump model reuses that waste heat (or as much of it as possible) in the drying process.