Having a tumble dryer can make life a lot easier and leave you wondering how you ever lived without one in the past. They enable you to dry washing quickly no matter the weather, assuming they have been installed correctly. 

There are three main types of tumble dryers: condenser, vented, and heat pump. The condenser dryer works by removing moisture from your clothes and storing it in a removable tank. It is a great option if you are unable to vent the moisture outside of your house using a hose, but the tank will need to be emptied after each use. 

Heat pump tumble dryers work by recycling hot air created inside the drum to dry clothes. They are very efficient but can take slightly longer to dry laundry. Another option is a ​​vented tumble dryer, which works to remove moisture from your clothes and feed it outside through a vent. 

For the purpose of installation, the heat pump and condenser dryers can be considered the same as they require similar installation. 

This is a general guide and therefore not specific to one make or model. 

Condenser and heat pump dryers 

Before you start the installation process, you will need to choose a suitable location for your tumble dryer. For a condenser/heat pump dryer to function correctly, it needs to be in a ventilated space. For this reason, you will need to select a spot that is in a wide-open space. Your dryer will not be able to function correctly if it is in a spot like a cupboard as it will end up reabsorbing the warm air it just expelled. 

Tumble dryers in the garage 

To perform efficiently, a tumble dryer will need the room’s ambient temperature to be above a certain threshold. As a result, putting your tumble dryer in the garage may prevent it from working correctly if the temperature is cold enough. If the temperature is too cold, the water will condense on any available cold service rather than in the intended tank. This renders the dryer unable to remove moisture from the air.

Can my tumble dryer go next to a refrigerator?

As your dryer will expel large amounts of warm air when it is running, it would force the refrigerator to work harder. It is important to remember that the refrigerator is also putting out warm air and taking in cold air, so the result can be a loss of efficiency.

Can a tumble dryer go upstairs?

There are a few reasons that installing a tumble dryer upstairs should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. The most pressing is the fact that dryers are incredibly heavy and awkward to handle; carrying them up stairs is incredibly difficult and can be dangerous. It is normal for dryers to shake the flooring, which is not an issue if they are on ground level, but this can become an inconvenience if they are upstairs. 

How to install your condenser tumble dryer

Installing a condenser dryer is a lot easier than installing a vented dryer.

1. Once you have chosen a suitable spot, you will need to measure it to ensure there is enough space for your tumble dryer. You want a minimum of 5 inches of space on both sides and behind your dryer. 
2. Once you have checked your dryer will fit, you should ensure the space has proper ventilation. If a tumble dryer is put into a space with inadequate ventilation, it can lead to mold. 
3. Bring your dryer into the space and place it next to the power socket. Ensure that you have left enough space for it to be plugged in and unplugged without having to move the dryer if possible. 
4. Ensure the dryer is sitting level; you may need to adjust the legs to achieve this.
5. Next, you should test that everything’s working correctly. Check that all of the controls on the front panel are active and responding. 
6. Clean the inside of the drum with a vinegar solution. 
7. Finally, you will need to test your dryer by running a cycle. You should use wet towels as they are thick. After the cycle is complete, you should check that the condenser tray has collected the water that was in the towels. If your towels are fully dry when the cycle ends, then you are good to go. 

How to install a vented tumble dryer

Installing a vented tumble dryer is significantly more difficult than installing a condenser/heat pump tumble dryer. You will need to ensure it is able to vent outside via the flexible pipe. 

Due to the level of skill needed to install a vented tumble dryer, it is strongly recommended that you call in a plumber. If you decide to proceed and do it yourself, you’ll need the following tools:

• A pencil
• A drill and a masonry drill bit
• A circular saw (optional)
• Silicone caulk
• The vent and faceplate that comes with your dryer.

1. Once you have chosen a suitable spot, you will need to measure it to ensure there is enough space for your tumble dryer and the hose.
2. Start by placing your vent onto the wall and tracing around it lightly with the pencil.
3. Drill a series of inch-wide holes around the outside of the circle you have just marked using the masonry drill bit. Then connect them with either the drill or the circular saw.
4. Next, put the vent grille against the wall, and trace the holes. You will need to drill mounting holes into the wall.
5. Place the anchors inside once you have filled the holes with silicone caulk. 
6. Push the tube through the hole. Ensure it is securing the plate to the wall using the supplied screws.
7. Tighten all of the screws and connect the other end to the dryer.
8. Connect the dryer to its power source. 
9. Ensure the dryer is sitting level. You may need to adjust the legs to achieve this.
10. Next, you should test that everything’s working correctly. Go through all of the controls on the front panel and ensure they are active and responding. 
11. Clean the inside of the drum with a vinegar solution. 
12. Finally, you will need to test your dryer by running a cycle. You should use wet towels as they are thick. After the cycle is complete, you should check if the condenser tray has collected the water that was in the towels. If your towels are fully dry when the cycle ends, then you are good to go.