What Is a Condensation Dryer and How Does It Compare to a Vented Dryer?

Two Types of Dryers, Two Very Different Requirements

When choosing a dryer, one of the first decisions is whether you need a vented dryer or a condensation dryer. The difference comes down to how the dryer gets rid of the moisture it extracts from your laundry. Here's what you need to know.

How a Vented Dryer Works

A vented dryer heats air, pushes it through the drum to dry the clothes, and then exhausts the hot, moisture-laden air through a duct to the outside. This duct needs to exit through an external wall, window or roof vent.

Pros:

• Lower purchase price than condensation dryers
• Simple technology with a long reliability record
• Faster drying than condensation on equivalent settings

Cons:

• Requires a permanent exhaust duct to the outside — not suitable for apartments or rooms without external venting
• Exhausts heat outside — less efficient in winter (you're heating the inside, then blowing that heat out)
• Can introduce humidity problems if not vented properly

How a Condensation Dryer Works

A condensation dryer (also called a condenser dryer) also heats air and pushes it through the drum. But instead of venting the moist air outside, it passes it through a heat exchanger that condenses the moisture back into water. That water collects in a container that you empty after each cycle (or is pumped out through a drain hose).

Pros:

• No external venting required — can go anywhere with a power point
• Ideal for apartments, units, laundries without external walls
• Can be stacked on a washing machine with appropriate stacking kit

Cons:

• Higher purchase price than equivalent vented dryers
• Slightly slower drying times than vented on comparable settings
• Requires the condensation container to be emptied after each use (unless a drain hose is connected)

What About Heat Pump Dryers?

A heat pump dryer is a type of condensation dryer that uses refrigerant (like a reverse-cycle air conditioner) to recycle heat rather than generating it fresh each cycle. This makes heat pump dryers significantly more energy efficient than both vented and standard condensation dryers — typically using 40–60% less electricity. The downside is a higher purchase price and longer cycle times.

Which Type Is Right for You?

Find the Right Dryer at Oceania Appliances

We stock quality second-hand and refurbished vented, condensation and heat pump dryers at accessible prices, all tested and covered by our 3–6 month warranty. Visit our Wetherill Park showroom or shop online — free delivery across Sydney.