Can I put a clothes dryer on the balcony?

Those who dry laundry on the balcony know that it's time-consuming and inconvenient in winter. Floor-standing dryers, which can be placed indoors, take up a lot of space. For this reason, many consider purchasing a clothes dryer. But even this requires some space in the apartment. Is a glazed, unheated balcony a good place to install the dryer? We'll explain whether it's acceptable to use a dryer in such conditions.

What dryers are suitable for a balcony?

In winter, the air temperature on the balcony can drop below -10 degrees Celsius. If you place a washing machine there, the water in the pipes, pump, and inlet valve will freeze, crushing the parts and causing the appliance to malfunction. What happens if you place a dryer on the balcony?

This appliance is easier to clean because it has fewer components that can accumulate moisture. Will the dryer work in winter, in subzero temperatures? That depends on the type of machine. Some models are more sensitive to cold temperatures, while others are less affected.

Exhaust-type dryers are most susceptible to failure at low temperatures due to their design and operating principles. These models dry clothes using heated air. This air becomes saturated with moisture, which evaporates from the laundry and is released outside. When installing such machines, a special outlet into a ventilation shaft or directly to the street is required. When using the devices, their owners may encounter a number of problems.

1. The need to properly install ventilation on the balcony.
2. You cannot use a dryer in winter, since in low temperatures the air inside the machine does not have time to warm up.
3. The condensation freezes, forming ice on the walls of the air duct. As a result, the unit completely fails.

Please note: Ventilated clothes dryers should not be placed on balconies.

Condensation-type units are less sensitive to frost. They operate on a different principle. Dry, heated air is fed into the drum, where it absorbs moisture and enters the heat exchanger. Condensation occurs there, and the condensate is collected in a special container or discharged directly into the sewer system.

Even an insulated balcony can't be equipped with a sewer system, but it's possible to empty the accumulated water from the tank after each use. This will prevent moisture from freezing inside the appliance, protecting it from damage.

The optimal option for installation on a glassed-in balcony is a modern heat pump dryer. Their unique feature is that they draw air from the surrounding environment once, which is then circulated within the unit. A minimal amount of moist air is released outside. The advantages of heat pump dryers are as follows:

• the air warms up faster;
• On a closed balcony, the glass fogs up less because the outflow of moist air is minimized.

Heat pump dryers, unlike vented and condenser dryers, do not have heating elements. They operate using a circulating coolant. Compressor refrigerators and air conditioners operate on a similar principle. Heated air is forced into the drum, where it absorbs moisture. It is then discharged through the evaporator, cooled, releases moisture, and enters the condenser, where it is heated again. The air circulates throughout the dryer until it completes the drying cycle.

A clothes dryer on the balcony is not an ideal option.

Although installing condensation dryers on balconies is not prohibited, installing them in such conditions is not the best option. Moisture remains in the dryer's ducts. If you turn on the dryer at -10 degrees Celsius, the condensation will turn into ice, which will coat the ducts with a thin layer.

It's possible that the temperature difference between the warm walls of the machine and the cold air inside causes condensation to form. Condensation can even form on the control board, causing malfunction. Equipment manufacturers do not allow it to be used at temperatures below 0 degrees.

Important! If a dryer installed on a balcony breaks down during the warranty period, the owner will not be able to receive warranty repairs due to non-compliance with operating instructions.

How to avoid over-cooling of the dryer?

Those who want to install a clothes dryer on their balcony can take a more radical approach: installing a heating system. However, this requires addressing a number of technical challenges and additional financial costs.

An original method for installing a condensation dryer on an unheated balcony can be found online:

• install the device in a cabinet made of laminated chipboard;
• cover the inside of the furniture with non-flammable thermal insulation material;
• equip the cabinet with a forced exhaust system to remove moist air;
• Place a 100W incandescent light bulb inside (in winter it should work around the clock to heat the nightstand).

According to online reviews, this design allows you to safely use the dryer even in freezing temperatures. If your apartment's space doesn't allow for installation in a warm room, there's always a solution. The key is to carefully consider all the nuances of installation and operation.

   

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