What is a Ventless Dryer? And How Does It Work?

Living in an apartment or house with limited space can pose many challenges, especially where laundry is concerned. It's not always feasible to construct or connect to a dryer duct for safe drying but a ventless dryer can provide a viable solution. If you're ready to make laundry easier, learn the answer to what is a ventless dryer. It could be the best choice for you.

What is a Ventless Dryer?

A ventless dryer is a type of laundry appliance that operates without the need for an external venting system. Traditional dryers expel hot and moist air outdoors through a vent. Ventless dryers use alternative methods to manage moisture and heat and are particularly useful in spaces where venting is impractical. Apartments or homes without proper venting options are great examples of dwellings that may require a versatile solution for efficient drying.

How Ventless Dryers Work

Ventless dryers operate with innovative methods that eliminate the use of a vent. The purpose of a dryer vent is to remove heat and moisture from the appliance to avoid build-up, which could pose a fire risk or result in mold growth. Ventless dryers work to eliminate the same concerns differently by repurposing the heat and moisture in more effective ways.

One of the best advantages of a ventless dryer is not needing to connect to an outdoor vent. The cost of a dryer vent installation can range between $80 to $1000, depending on the complexity of the installation. Homeowners choosing a ventless dryer can enjoy reduced installation costs by not having a vent. 

Types of Ventless Dryers

There are two main types of ventless dryers homeowners or renters can choose from: condenser dryers or heat pump dryers. Both condenser and heat pump dryers offer the advantage of placement flexibility because they don't require a venting system. 

Condenser Dryers

Condenser dryers extract moisture from the clothing and collect it in a reservoir instead of venting the moisture outside. Condenser dryers operate on a closed-loop system, circulating warm air through the drum to evaporate the moisture from the clothes. Then, the moist air is cooled down, resulting in the moisture condensing into water droplets.

The reservoir, located inside the dryer, collects the water droplets. Typically, this feature is a removable tray that should be emptied after each drying cycle. While frequent, the maintenance of cleaning the reservoir helps ensure the efficiency of the dryer.

Heat Pump Dryers

Heat pump dryers are a more advanced version of condenser dryers and use heat pump technology to recycle and reuse hot air during the drying process. This makes them more energy-efficient and gentler on clothes. 

The technology of these dryers uses a heat exchanger to transfer heat from the warm air inside the drum to a coolant fluid. The coolant fluid evaporates as it absorbs heat, and is then compressed to release the stored heat into the drum.  Since this process repurposes hot air, the result is less energy usage compared to traditional vented or condenser dryers. 

Heat pump driers operate at lower temperatures than traditional vented dryers. These lower temperatures can help preserve the quality of your clothes over time. However, this process has longer drying times, which can be a downside for those looking for quick-drying methods. 

Ventless Dryer Maintenance

To keep your ventless dryer from operating to full capacity, the reservoir or containment chamber needs to be emptied following every load of laundry. Similar to traditional units, there will be a lint trap that should also be cleaned after each load. Failure to clean either of these every time could result in longer dry cycles.

Over time, the condenser unit of the dryer will accumulate lint, even with regular cleaning of the lint trap. Check the condenser unit 4-5 times per year to remove any lint build-up. If there is too much build up, it will reduce the efficacy of your dryer and the dryer's longevity. 

While the maintenance may seem tedious, homeowners can save a bit of money by not using a professional dryer cleaning service. Dryer vent cleaning can range in cost from $75 to $325 with a recommended frequency of twice per year.

Advantages of Ventless Dryers

Choosing a ventless dryer can eliminate many concerns homeowners have for their laundry needs, especially those with space concerns. 

Benefits of ventless dryers include:

• Flexible placement

• Suitable for small spaces

• Energy-efficient

• Gentler drying

• Reduced dryer installation costs

• Preserved indoor air quality

Disadvantages of Ventless Dryers

While ventless dryers boast great benefits, there are some drawbacks to consider before investing in this type of laundry unit.

Downfalls to ventless dryers include:

• Longer drying times

• Higher cost compared to traditional dryers

• Limited brand and model options available

• Increased maintenance required

• Learning curve to gauge settings and cycles