For laundromat operators, commercial dryers directly relate to operating costs, service efficiency, and customer satisfaction. Currently, two types of common dryers are widely used on the market: heat pump dryers and vented dryers.
Operating Principle & Features
- Vented dryer
The vented dryer works like a giant hair dryer. The machine heats the air to a high temperature using electric or gas heating elements. It blows hot air into the rotating drum to remove moisture from garments. Then it discharges moist hot air to the outside through an exhaust duct.
The vented dryer uses an open-loop system “one-way heat consumption + direct venting of moist hot air”. Simply put, the air is heated and used once before venting. Heat is lost with the moist hot air. The machine continuously heats fresh air by consuming energy.
The vented dryer is relatively simple in design. It has no complex refrigeration systems and condensers. Therefore, it is durable and reduces long-term maintenance costs.
- Heat pump dryer
The heat pump dryer uses a completely different technology. It works like an air conditioner operating in reverse. Based on the reverse Carnot cycle, it compresses the refrigerant into a high-temperature, high-pressure gas using a compressor. It heats the air by releasing heat in the condenser. Meanwhile, moisture in the humid hot air condenses into liquid water and is discharged from the system.
The heat pump dryer uses a closed-loop system of “heat recovery and reuse”. The hot air turns into moist exhaust air after passing through the garments. The moisture condenses and is collected when the moist air passes through the evaporator. The original exhaust heat is recovered and reused. The machine reheats the air and recirculates it into the drum. The heat continuously circulates inside the machine without heat loss to the outside.
The heat pump dryer works at a relatively low temperature, between 42℃ and 60℃. It is equipped with a heat pump system and temperature control components. So, it is complex in design, requiring relatively higher costs.
Drying Efficiency Comparison
- Vented dryer
The vented dryer has significant advantages in drying speed. Due to the high-temperature air drying method, it can dry garments within a short time. In practical business applications, a vented dryer only requires 20-30 minutes to dry a load of garments. However, a heat pump dryer takes one hour or longer.
This speed advantage is essential for laundromats. Stores need to handle large volumes of customer garments every day. The turnover efficiency directly determines the daily number of customers served and revenues. During peak periods, a vented dryer can complete drying cycles in a shorter time. This allows customers to quickly pick up their garments.
Besides, the high-temperature hot air can achieve sterilization and mite removal. High temperature not only rapidly evaporates moisture but also reduces microorganisms and allergens. This is an extra competitive advantage for hygienic dry cleaning.
- Heat pump dryer
The heat pump dryer is gentler on garments. But it dries relatively slowly. At a low working temperature (42-60℃), the heat pump dryer requires more time to evaporate moisture from garments. Commercial laundromats pursue high efficiency. Longer drying times mean lower throughput per unit of time.
It has been suggested that a semi-closed heat pump dryer dries faster than a vented dryer. But overall, the preheating time of the heat pump system is long. There is still room for improvement in its drying efficiency.
Why Laundromats Should Choose Vented Dryers
In summary, the vented dryer is more suitable for laundromats.
- Fast drying speed & turnover efficiency
A vented dryer can dry one batch of garments in 20-30 minutes. But the heat pump dryer requires more than one hour. It directly reduces the equipment turnover efficiency. This not only increases customer waiting time but also reduces laundromats’ profitability.
- Simple design & convenient maintenance
A vented dryer has no complex compressor and refrigerant circulation system. The failure rate is low, while the maintenance costs are more predictable. Simple design also means fewer failure points. Technicians require less training. The component replacement costs are low. On the contrary, after long-term and intense usage, the core components of a heat pump dryer need to be replaced after around three years. For laundromats, the long-term investment costs are higher.
Advantages of Kingstar Vented Dryers
Laundromats can gain advantages in long-term operations by using equipment with easy operation, low maintenance costs, high efficiency, and long service life.
Kingstar optimizes vented dryers. For example, the air duct features a hot and cold air circulation system. Alternating cold and hot air circulation protects garments from high temperatures for too long. This protects garment fibers and colors. At the same time, this reduces heat consumption. Compared with traditional dryers, Kingstar commercial dryers are more energy-efficient.
A Kingstar dryer can store up to 99 drying programs. It allows users to set the proper drying temperature and time for different fabrics. For example, low-temperature drying is suitable for silk and wool fabrics. Garments, such as down coats and cotton jackets, can withstand high temperatures. The drying parameters can be customized.
Besides, Kingstar uses high-quality spare parts and electrical components. It provides thermal insulation around the outer drum. This effectively protects components, extending their service life.
Kingstar has over twenty years of manufacturing experience in laundry equipment. It has a deep understanding of garment care. Therefore, Kingstar will continue upgrading the equipment. It is committed to helping laundromats stand out in a competitive market.
Q&A
Q1: How to configure dryers and washers?
A1: 1:1 washer-to-dryer ratio.
Q2: What should operators do if garments often get tangled during the drying process?
A2: Garment tangling is common. It may cause uneven drying and wrinkles. The solutions are as follows.
- Control the load size
Do not overload the machine. Leave enough room for the garments to tumble.
- Sorting before drying
Large and small garments should be dried separately. Small textiles are easily wrapped inside large ones.
- Choose dryers supporting forward and reverse rotation
The machine can automatically rotate in reverse after running in one direction for a certain time. This effectively loosens garments to reduce tangling.
- Add dryer balls
Rubber or wool dryer balls hit garments during the tumbling. This prevents tangling while accelerating drying.
- Turn garments duringthe cycle
For large bedding and duvet covers, remove them halfway through the cycle. Then shake them out. This can deliver better drying results.
Q3: What is the purpose of the cooling function?
A3: Many people take out garments as soon as the drying is finished. Actually, the cool-down cycle is very important.
- Prevent wrinkles
At high temperatures, garments are taken out and stacked. Heat cannot be released. This easily leads to stubborn wrinkles. The cool-down cycle allows the garments to cool nearly to room temperature, which significantly reduces wrinkles.
- Better setting performance
Hot air softens fibers while cold air helps them set. This retains garments’ shape.
- Avoid shrinkage
At high temperatures, some fibers are relaxed. They easily shrink when exposed to cold air or compressed. Gradual cooling can reduce the risk of shrinkage.
- Safe protection
The freshly dried garments are very hot. Removing garments immediately may pose a risk of burns. Removing them after cooling down is safer.
Professional operation suggestion:
Leave 3-5 minutes for cooling at the end of the drying cycle. Hang or fold the garments after removing them from the dryer. So, the ironing workload can be reduced by over 30%.
