What is a ventless dryer?
A ventless dryer constantly recirculates air through the drum to pick up moisture from the clothes, then condenses the moisture later in the process through a heat exchanger. This contrasts with vented dryers, which push hot humid air outside through a dryer vent.
Ventless dryers are a good option for homes and apartments that aren’t equipped for vent-style dryer installation. Use the following guide to learn more about ventless dryers and help you determine if they’re the right choice for your home.
How does a ventless dryer work?
There are two types of ventless dryers: condensing dryers and heat pump dryers. Though these appliances function differently, they both can be installed without ventilation.
Condensing dryer
Condensing dryers use a heater element coupled with an air-to-air heat exchanger to condense water from the humid air in order to dry clothes. This condensation process uses a secondary air path, known as room air, to cool the primary humid air path via the heat exchanger. This causes the water in the air to condense.
Heat pump dryer
A heat pump dryer utilizes a compressor and heat exchangers and acts as a dehumidifier to condense the humid air through the evaporator heat exchanger. However, the difference in this process is the heat recovery.
The secondary heat exchanger, called the condenser, is used to recover the heat and apply it to the drying process, which generally makes it more energy efficient.
Where does the moisture go in a ventless dryer?
Since ventless dryers are designed without the ducts that expel hot, moist air from the machine, the appliance condenses moisture from the air in the drum and either collects it in a removable drawer or expels it out of the dryer drum via a drain hose.
How exactly a ventless dryer removes moisture from your damp laundry varies depending on the make and model of your machine, so consult your product manual for model-specific information.
Do ventless dryers take longer to dry?
Since the mechanics of a ventless dryer differ from standard models, drying times can be longer when using a ventless option. Depending on the model of your appliance, you may be able to get a quicker dry by reducing your laundry load size and selecting the Extra Fast spin speed.
Before purchasing a ventless dryer, it’s important to decide which option best suits your family’s lifestyle. Not sure if a ventless dryer is the best choice? Use these comparison charts for front load and top load dryers.
What is a ventless washer and dryer combo?
Ventless all-in-one washer dryer combinations are exactly what they sound like—a laundry appliance that combines the functions of a washer and dryer. Simply load your clothes and choose your settings; this appliance runs a washing cycle, then transitions to a drying cycle using ventless technology.
Because they combine two appliances into one, ventless washer dryer combos can be a great choice for families who live in apartments or homes in which space is at a premium. Whirlpool brand offers a ventless washer dryer combo so you can care for your family’s laundry regardless of the size of your space.
Should I consider a ventless dryer?
If you live in an apartment and don't have access to a dryer vent or have limited space for your laundry appliances, it can be a challenge to find a dryer that fits your needs. Fortunately, ventless dryers can offer a solution.
Popular in Europe for decades, ventless dryers—and more recently, ventless washer dryer combos—have started to catch on in the United States thanks to their space-saving properties. If you have limited space for laundry appliances a ventless dryer may be a good choice for your home.
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Explore Whirlpool® Ventless Dryers
Explore the lineup of ventless dryers from Whirlpool brand and discover the right dryer or ventless washer dryer combo for your home.
Ventless All In One Washer Dryer
This ventless washer dryer combo helps save space, allowing you to wash and dry your clothes in one machine. This combination appliance also offers features like the Load & Go™ XL Dispenser that lets you streamline your laundry routine. Just add detergent once to the dispenser and skip refills for up to 40 loads.1
Best of all, its ventless design allows this appliance to be installed almost anywhere. If space is at a premium in your home, the Ventless All-In-One Washer & Dryer may be a great choice for you.
Model: WFC682CLW
Front Load Ventless Heat Pump Dryer
Need a ventless dryer that makes the most of your space? This 7.4 cu. ft. Front Load Ventless Heat Pump Dryer with Advanced Moisture Sensing can help. This appliance is a good option for many homes, and its Advanced Moisture Sensing feature tracks moisture and temperature, adapting drying times to end the cycle at just the right time. Thanks to its ventless design, this appliance offers a broad range of installation options.
MODEL: WHD560CHW
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1. Based on an 8-lb load.