How to Install a Tumble Dryer – All You Need to Know

A tumble dryer is a life-saviour when it comes to drying piles of clothes. Instead of searching for a free spot on a drying rack and waiting for several days for your clothes to dry, you simply load freshly washed clothes and in less than an hour, they are ready.

However, to enjoy the benefits of your appliance, you first have to install it. And do it correctly. Some models don’t require intricate assembly or special handyman skills. Just choose a place and plug it in. But what is the right place to place the appliance? And what if the tumble dryer installation needs more than just an electrical supply? To explain all of the specifics of tumble dryer installation, we have prepared this post.

So, if you:

• Have purchased a new tumble dryer;
• Want to relocate your old appliance;
• Wish to know how to install a tumble dryer yourself.

Then read on!

Choosing where to place your tumble dryer

All tumble dryers have a relatively similar drying process – the appliance draws the cool air around it, heats it and then passes it to a rotating drum. After drying your clothes, the warm and moist air needs to go somewhere. Because of the differences in extractions methods, some models have special requirements for installation.

Vented dryer

Since a vented tumble dryer removes the excess air via a duct through a hole in a wall or a window, you will need to choose a spot where you can fit an outside vent. 

Under no circumstances should this air be directed into your house! Otherwise, a humongous amount of warm and moist air will end up collecting in your property. And you know what that means? Mould in no time! 

For this reason, the appliance should be installed in a place where you can have a vent fitted to a wall or through a window. Just make sure that you don’t have any prohibitions to drill a 10 cm hole in the wall.

Condenser dryer

If you have a condenser dryer, then it will be much easier to think of a place. As the appliance collects the condensed water in a special drawer, there is no need for a vent. All it needs is a regular supply of cold air, that will prevent the appliance from overheating.

If the dryer doesn’t have enough room to breathe, the appliance will end up using the wet and warm air, that it expels, significantly reducing the efficiency. Moreover, the condensation might start collecting on the appliance itself and damage it over time. Therefore, avoid installing your appliance in small spaces with limited air circulation. 

Don’t put your tumble dryer next to a fridge, as these appliances can influence each other’s efficiency. The fridge, same as the tumble dryer, uses cool air around it and unleashes the heat in the air. As a result, both of the appliances will end up consuming more energy. 

Some models have an option to be connected to a wastewater pipe to remove the expelled water. In that case, you need to put a drainage hose at the back of your appliance and connect it to a waste pipe. Therefore, the position of your tumble dryer will depend on the location of your waste pipe. Remember that the waste pipe shouldn’t be higher than 80 cm.

How to install a condenser tumble dryer

1. Check your packaging contents.

If you have a new appliance, carefully examine the contents of your tumble dryer packaging. Find the description of the contents in the manufacturer manual and compare the details that you have been supplied with to the ones mentioned in the manual. 

2. Unpack your appliance.

Remove all the nylon packaging and transportation safety assembly, which is located inside of the drum. Simply pull it towards yourself.

3. Level the tumble dryer to prevent vibrating. 

Just like washing machines, tumble dryers tend to rock from side to side if they are not levelled properly. Make sure that all four sides of your appliance are levelled by adjusting the feet left and right until it is balanced.

4. Connect the drainage hose, if applicable. 

At the back of your dryer, you have a hose that connects the condensation reservoir to the inner parts of the dryer. Pull that hose out. Unpack the drain hose and connect one end of it to the tumble dryer. Another end should go to the drainpipe or washbasin. 

5. Plug the appliance in.

Remember, safety first! Connect the appliance only to grounded outlets. Once plugged in, check if the appliance is working by turning it on. 

How to install a vented tumble dryer

If you are replacing your old vented dryer with a new one, then this job shouldn’t be hard. All you need to do is to fit one end of the dryer vent hose to the hose adaptor and fix the other one to the vent. Both the adaptor and the hose should come with the appliance. However, if this is your first tumble dryer, then you will need much more skill than simply plugging the appliance in, like with the condenser dryers. 

We highly recommend getting professional handyman help to avoid potential damages caused by improper installation. But, if you are certain of your DIY skills, then here is what you need to do to install a vented tumble dryer:

Tools needed:

1. Measure the area where you want your appliance to go. 

Keep in mind the inside walls, your floor level and the outside fixtures that might disturb the installation.

2. Mark the place where you will install the vent. 

Take the vent and place it to the wall from the inside. Grab a marker and draw a circle around it. 

3. Drill in the centre.

That way you will know where you should drill. Use the vent again, to mark the drilling area on the outside wall.

4. Drill on the outer part of the circle.

Place a screw in the middle of the marked area to remove the drilled piece with ease after. Follow the marked area with a series of holes. Be careful not to push the drill too hard, as you risk chipping the bricks. When the concrete is loose enough, you can pull the screw to take out the core. 

5. Fit and seal the vent.

Place the vent in the freshly drilled hole to test if everything fits and does not require any adjustments. If you are happy with the results, install the vent. Apply some sealant on the edges of the hole. If you have a vent hood or a cap, fix it with screws to the wall. 

6. Attach the hose. 

Attach the hose to your tumble dryer according to the manufacturer manual and fix it to the vent.

Hesitating to install the tumble dryer by yourself?

Fantastic Services is always here to help! The experienced technicians we work with know how to handle installations of any complexity. Because of the special training that they go through, they are fully capable of installing appliances of any brand. Whether it is Hotpoint, Beko or Indesit appliance installation, you can be sure that the job will be done without any troubles. Book your tumble dryer installation now!

And if you don’t want to wait until your laundry basket is full, check out our fantastic dry cleaning or laundry services. All your clothes will be cleaned spotless and returned to you within 24 hours.

Takeaways

• When you choose a place for your tumble dryer, always consider the requirements for installation;
• Keep in mind that tumble dryers need space to breathe, therefore they should be installed in a cool and ventilated room;
• If you have a vented tumble dryer to install, be ready to drill a hole in your wall, as it requires vent installation;
• Don’t install your tumble dryer next to a refrigerator, as these appliances can influence each other’s efficiency;
• You can buy a dryer vent kit in any local DIY shop.

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Image source: Shutterstock / studiovin