Difference between revisions of "Clothes dryer"

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'''Clothes line''' and '''Tumble dryer''' are the well known clothes drying options. Here a 3rd option is presented with advantages over tumble drying. This is to use a dehumidifier in a dedicated drying cupboard.
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'''Clothes line''' and '''Tumble dryer''' are the well known clothes drying options. Here a 3rd option is presented with advantages over tumble drying. This is a humidistatic dehumidifier in a large wardrobe, or walk-in wardrobe.
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=How it works=
 
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Clothes are taken out of the washer and hung or laid out in the drying cupboard. Hang items over rails, with plenty of space for air circulation. The dehumidifier operating in the drying cupboard will dry, heat, and circulate the air, making ideal conditions for quick drying of washing. (I find a 400W compressor based dehumidifier will dry a load of washing this way in 60 minutes after a 1400RPM spin. Towels and thick denims may require longer.)
 
  
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=Advantages & Disadvantages=
+
 
 +
==How it works==
 +
Clothes are taken out of the washer and put away in the wardrobe. And thats it, the end user need do nothing else.
 +
 
 +
Putting damp clothes in the wardrobe sets the dehumidifier running. The dehumidifier fans the air round, warms the small space a little, creates a dry climate and removes the moisture. The dehumidifier switches off when the clothes are dry.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
==Advantages & Disadvantages==
 
'''Advantages''' compared to tumble dryer:
 
'''Advantages''' compared to tumble dryer:
 +
* Takes up less space
 
* Takes up no kitchen space
 
* Takes up no kitchen space
−
* One less operation per load if you also store cloths in the cupboard, since the clothes all go from washer to cupboard, not via the dryer.
+
* One less operation per load, since the clothes all go from washer to wardrobe, not via the dryer.
 
* No dryer noise.
 
* No dryer noise.
 
* Much less energy consumption than a tumble dryer
 
* Much less energy consumption than a tumble dryer
 
* Much lower run cost
 
* Much lower run cost
 
* Much less wear on clothes
 
* Much less wear on clothes
−
* Provides a supply of distilled water which is particulary suitable for steam ironing (as well as watering sensitive plants, etc).
+
* Produces deionised water suitable for steam ironing, steam cleaning, batteries, etc
 +
 
  
 
'''Disadvantage''':
 
'''Disadvantage''':
 
* Heavier clothes such as winter coats can take many hours to fully dry. However this is rarely a disadvantage in reality. You would have to be a bit disorganised for this to make any difference.
 
* Heavier clothes such as winter coats can take many hours to fully dry. However this is rarely a disadvantage in reality. You would have to be a bit disorganised for this to make any difference.
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* Need to take extra safety precautions as home dehumidifiers are not explicitly designed for operation in this environment (see below).
 
  
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=Requirements=
 
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Dehumidifiers are not explicitly designed for this purpose, so it is necessary in add some safety features.
 
  
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A dehumidifier operated in an enclosed space must be operated via a thermostat to switch it off when the temperature reaches the dehumidifier's max operating temperature (typically 30C, but check instructions). If the socket for the dehumidifier is in the cupboard, a plug-in thermostat can be used to do this.
+
==Notes on Operation==
 +
Normally all clothes would be hanging.
 +
 
 +
Socks can be put in a plastic matrix on one side if this is preferred to a multi-bar hanger. Drawer dividers are used to create this matrix of miniature cubbyholes.
 +
 
 +
For items to be stacked, such as bedding, these can't be stacked when wet, but can be once dry. They can be put in the wardrobe on slatted or wire shelves to dry, or if preferred one could use extra large bedding hangers.
 +
 
 +
Some ventilation is recommended, clothes need at least some fresh air to dry fresh. Ventilation does not noticeably affect drying times.
 +
 
 +
Whole pillows of all types may be dried with this system. The pillow needs to be placed close to the air outlet on the dehumidifier, as pillows need forced airflow during drying to dry the centre of the fill.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
==Requirements==
 +
The dehumidifier needs to be humidistatic and have a continuous drain connection.
 +
 
 +
===Notes===
 +
A 200w dehumidifier is more than enough. High power machines eg 400w are not really suitable for small enclosed spaces, due to the heat given off.
 +
 
 +
A dehumidifier with no continuous drain connection can be used if necessary, but you would need to empty the water container when full.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
==Experiences==
 +
Some personal experiences of this system:
 +
 
 +
'''1.''' I find a 400W compressor based dehumidifier will dry a load of washing this way in 60 minutes after a 1400RPM spin. Towels and thick denims may require longer.
  
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Precautions must be taken to ensure items cannot fall onto the dehumidifier blocking its airflow, which could cause a fire. (Remember that items will get lighter as they dry and more likely to blow off rails.) Similarly, items must not fall onto any thermostat, which would then shield it from the real temperature and prevent it switching off if the cupboard gets too warm.
+
'''2.''' I use a 200w dehumidifier in a walk-in room, and a 1000rpm washer. Clothes dry overnight. I tend to leave the door ajar so the clothes get fresh air, and this has no noticeable impact on drying times.
  
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For control, the dehumidifer should operate via a one-shot timer such as an immersion heater timer, so it can't be left switched on accidently. Also, humidity control (humidistat) can be used switch off automatically when cloths are dry, but don't rely on humidity control alone to keep the dehumidifer switched off when the drying cupboard is not being used for drying -- humidity control can switch on at any time, which could come as a surprise to someone who piled things on the dehumidifier earlier when they thought it was off. Dehumidifiers are available with both humidity control and one-shot timers built in, or these can be purchased and installed as separate items.
+
'''3.''' Unlike a tumble dryer, I get no lint from drying clothes. The drying room needs cleaning less often than other rooms. This means things that would wear down in a tumbler last better.
  
−
Remember to keep the dehumidifier's filters clean. This is particularly important when the appliance will be operating at or near its max operating temperature in a cupboard. Some fabrics can shed quite a bit of dust when drying.
+
'''4.''' I was surprised by how low the condensate conductivity is. The water is actually purer than shop bought deionised water, and is good for all deionised water uses.
  
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The cupboard should be reasonably airtight so it forms its own micro-climate inside. Don't bother draftproofing the doors, but avoid have vents or louvred doors. (Don't block up any vents if there's any gas appliance in the cupboard, or if there's an open-flued gas appliance anywhere in the house.)
 
  
−
=See Also=
+
==Safety==
 +
Dehumidifiers are protected by overtemperature cutouts on both compressor and fan, but it is still best not to permit clothes to fall on the machine while in use. For large wardrobe spaces, the machine can be placed with no clothes above it. For furniture sized wardrobes, a shelf over the dehumidifier can keep clothes off.
 +
 
 +
A high power machine in a small space is not recommended, as it may exceed the machine's ambient temperature ratings.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
==See Also==
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clothes_dryer
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clothes_dryer
 +
  
  

Revision as of 07:06, 6 February 2007

Clothes line and Tumble dryer are the well known clothes drying options. Here a 3rd option is presented with advantages over tumble drying. This is a humidistatic dehumidifier in a large wardrobe, or walk-in wardrobe.


How it works

Clothes are taken out of the washer and put away in the wardrobe. And thats it, the end user need do nothing else.

Putting damp clothes in the wardrobe sets the dehumidifier running. The dehumidifier fans the air round, warms the small space a little, creates a dry climate and removes the moisture. The dehumidifier switches off when the clothes are dry.


Advantages & Disadvantages

Advantages compared to tumble dryer:

  • Takes up less space
  • Takes up no kitchen space
  • One less operation per load, since the clothes all go from washer to wardrobe, not via the dryer.
  • No dryer noise.
  • Much less energy consumption than a tumble dryer
  • Much lower run cost
  • Much less wear on clothes
  • Produces deionised water suitable for steam ironing, steam cleaning, batteries, etc


Disadvantage:

  • Heavier clothes such as winter coats can take many hours to fully dry. However this is rarely a disadvantage in reality. You would have to be a bit disorganised for this to make any difference.


Notes on Operation

Normally all clothes would be hanging.

Socks can be put in a plastic matrix on one side if this is preferred to a multi-bar hanger. Drawer dividers are used to create this matrix of miniature cubbyholes.

For items to be stacked, such as bedding, these can't be stacked when wet, but can be once dry. They can be put in the wardrobe on slatted or wire shelves to dry, or if preferred one could use extra large bedding hangers.

Some ventilation is recommended, clothes need at least some fresh air to dry fresh. Ventilation does not noticeably affect drying times.

Whole pillows of all types may be dried with this system. The pillow needs to be placed close to the air outlet on the dehumidifier, as pillows need forced airflow during drying to dry the centre of the fill.


Requirements

The dehumidifier needs to be humidistatic and have a continuous drain connection.

Notes

A 200w dehumidifier is more than enough. High power machines eg 400w are not really suitable for small enclosed spaces, due to the heat given off.

A dehumidifier with no continuous drain connection can be used if necessary, but you would need to empty the water container when full.


Experiences

Some personal experiences of this system:

1. I find a 400W compressor based dehumidifier will dry a load of washing this way in 60 minutes after a 1400RPM spin. Towels and thick denims may require longer.

2. I use a 200w dehumidifier in a walk-in room, and a 1000rpm washer. Clothes dry overnight. I tend to leave the door ajar so the clothes get fresh air, and this has no noticeable impact on drying times.

3. Unlike a tumble dryer, I get no lint from drying clothes. The drying room needs cleaning less often than other rooms. This means things that would wear down in a tumbler last better.

4. I was surprised by how low the condensate conductivity is. The water is actually purer than shop bought deionised water, and is good for all deionised water uses.


Safety

Dehumidifiers are protected by overtemperature cutouts on both compressor and fan, but it is still best not to permit clothes to fall on the machine while in use. For large wardrobe spaces, the machine can be placed with no clothes above it. For furniture sized wardrobes, a shelf over the dehumidifier can keep clothes off.

A high power machine in a small space is not recommended, as it may exceed the machine's ambient temperature ratings.


See Also

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clothes_dryer


Keywords: tumble dryer tumble drier clothes laundry design kitchen layout planning plan

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