What Does The "Low" Button On European Condenser Dryers Do?

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High temp is usually around 70C and low is approximately 50C. That's what I measured on all of the dryers I used. It is a constant heat, meaning that only half of the element is energized for the lower heat setting.

Some models, like our Electrolux, automatically change to the lower setting once a certain dryness level is reached. Like that SoftHeat feature on some US dryers.

My Bosch has Cottons and Perm Press cycle (and a whole bunch of others) but it will dry on high heat I hit the low temp button - kinda stupid. It also has Extra Low at 40C.

Alex
 
And I Thank You

Thought it was kid of odd to have various settings for "PP" and "Delicate" yet still have a high and low heat switch.

So one assumes in dryers with two heating elements only one is activated for "low". Suppose for light and or man made fibers <1500 watts of heating power would do.
 
Looking at the wiring diagram of our 2006 Electrolux, it say under heating element: 1400W and then 600/1000W. Not sure why it lists two wattages for the second element. Only one element was activated for Low temp and, on regular cycles with High heat, once Cupboard Dry was reached.

This is our old dryer:

 
Low Button

Hi The low button is used for more delicate items IE cotton underwear with elastic, socks or shirts with buttons, bedding with poppers ect, and in minimum iron ( Perma Press) for the same things, Miele in the UK has 3 regular short or low setting + depending on model a setting for just about anything mine has one for jeans , shirts, outerwear, wool smoothing, fluffing, and more that are never used. Most things dry best on regular fabric low temp the low temp takes about 10 minutes longer but uses a lot less power. and little or no wrinkling shrinking ect.

mikeklondon++11-18-2012-02-44-49.jpg
 
The low heat button is for fabrics of a synthetic nature, such as acrylics.

I noticed on my mum's younger Zanussi condenser model that there are options for Cottons, Synthetics and Delicates.
 
Low Heat

Take a look at the care labels the low heat is for things with a mix IE under wear is 95% cotton 5% elastic dry them on high temp or perma press and ping go's the elastic
 
Low aprox. 40C - High 60-65C (on Vented, and up to 70C on Condensors), depending on Manufacturers. Some models such as Miele, and Hotpoint offer allergy/hygiene cycles which can go up to 75C (usually 70C and held for a high period).
Low is equivalent to a perm press/half heat cycle in USA.
Low heat will take longer to dry, but doesn't nessecarily use less energy.
I always use high heat as it dries fastest (and the fact my Dryer has only High heat, except for a delicate cycle, and a cycle called Bed+Bath which mixes the heat throughout the cycle).

I am sure in the US High & low heat options are available on most manufacturers?? in fact when I went to USA a top load matching Whirlpool dryer (electric vented) had low & high heat, just around the timer dial instead of buttons.
 
For What It Is Worth - Word From MieleUSA

At least for the older condenser dryers sold on these shores "low" temperature was around 102F, and "high" about 120F. Both legs of the heating elements are activated (dryer draws full wattage) on either with the only difference being the temperatures reached inside the dryer drum.
 
After years of building tight houses, I'm still trying to understand how non-vented dryers can be sold anywhere. Even in Europe.

To me that's the same as having the whole family shower without turning on the bath fan. Let the mold and rot begin...
 
Miele non vented dryer.

Has been used in my home for a while now and I have not noticed an increase in moisture levels nor can I find any mould.
As long as the dryer is working properly there should be no steam escaping all you get is warm dry air expelled.

I have to say since removing the vented dryer I had and its outside vent my ground floor is a lot warmer. No cold air near the dryer now so thats saving on my gas bill :)

Austin
 
NON Venting Dryers

Sorry lowegian I'm not sure what it is you don't understand, Non vented dryers are condensing so there is no steam, the condensate is pumped down the drain. They are usually more cost effective to run as the heat is recirculated and not just blown out the vent pipe like older dryers the down side is the cost more and take a little longer to dry a load. I hope that makes it a little clearer for you. The only other dryer that you may be thinking of could be a portable but they a usually still vented vie a pipe that you hang out of a window
 
I'm still trying to understand how non-vented dryers can

Non-vented dryers exsist for a reason; not every can or wishes to create a hole in the wall or some such for a vent,and or wants to hang a hose out of a window.

In the often "small" quarters of many homes outside the USA a non-vented dryer allows person to locate a laundry anywhere such as in powder rooms, off bedrooms and so forth. Of course the obvious benefit of having a non-vented dryer is no one will know from the outside it is there. In buildings such as multifamily-apartments where washers and or dryers are banned this is no small blessing.

As for non-vented dryers being more cost effective to run,that depends upon several factors. However from the reading one has done the past few days most consumer groups such as Which? and Consumer Reports agree a vented dryer is the better of the two generally. IIRC this is because vented dryers push moisture laden air out replaced by (heated) dry air. Most laundry also dries faster in a vented dryers.

Being as all this may in terms of overall household energy use there are times a non-vented (condenser) dryer can work in a household's favour. One area would be in the heat/moisture many model release back into the room. During colder months this can give sort of a "space heater" effect.
 
Non vented dryers ...

Here in South Africa is quite commonplace. Vented and condenser dryers are less prevalent. I have had a non vented dryer in my appartment you only have to open the window of the bedroom in order for all of the moist air to evaporate.

Not such a problem after all, however we now have a Miele Condenser much better and faster than the previous dryer. All in al it was a good dryer and did its bit. I have never come across a dryer operating with gas, I have however heard you get it at some laundromats, but have never seen one in a home setup.

So mostly here it is only non vented dryer and very few condenser type.

regards
 
Condensation loss depends on the dryer. We had an Electrolux that would steam up the cold-water pipes in the basement during winter. My new Siemens is way better.

 
My 15 year old Miele condenser dryer is not loosing any moisture. It seems to me that it is sealed very well. No moisture on the outside and no moisture at all in the bathroom, not even on the windows with cold weather. IMHO the older ones are better sealed than the newer ones, because of the bigger door that the newer ones have. These bigger doors seems more prone to leakage than the older ones.
 

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