Refresh cycle
A programme designed to remove odours from clothes, such as tobacco smoke, or an unpleasant odour that appears after a long period of storage.
The refresh programme is useful if the clothes are clean, but the smell still needs to be eliminated — refreshing in the dryer takes less time and effort than quick washing and then drying (even if using the same dryer). This function is especially relevant for
drying cabinets.
Drum lighting
Lighting system for the internal volume of the device. It usually turns on automatically when the dryer door is opened - thus reducing the likelihood that some items (especially small and dark ones) will be forgotten in the drum.
Condensate tank indicator
It is an indicator signalling the filling of the tank with condensate and the need to empty it. It is used exclusively in models with a condensing type of drying (see above). The specific device and functionality of the indicator may be different: in some models, it only warns of a critical liquid level. In others, it can display the exact amount of condensate collected. However, this feature greatly simplifies the monitoring of the operation of the dryer and reduces the risk of flood and other troubles that can lead to an overflow of the tank.
Drying class
Drying class describes the overall drying efficiency that the machine provides. It is denoted by a Latin letter, where A is the best efficiency, and further in decreasing order (
drying class B is inferior to
class A, but exceeds
class C). Naturally, higher efficiency machines cost more (ceteris paribus).
Noise level
The noise level generated by the dryer during operation. Usually, the specs indicate the maximum volume of the device, in the noisiest mode — when other programmes are running, this figure may be lower. We note that the noise level also depends on the features of the installation: for example, if the machine does not stand firmly on all four legs, vibration from drum rotation can create additional noise. And the tiled walls amplify the sound by creating an echo. Nevertheless, it is best to evaluate the device precisely by the noise level stated in the specifications. And here it is worth bearing in mind that the decibel used to denote loudness is a non-linear value, and it is best to evaluate the actual loudness of the unit using comparative tables. Here is the simplest such table for the volume range in which modern dryers operate:
65 dB — a person's voice in raised tones at a distance of 1 m;
70 dB — a loud conversation of several people at the same distance;
75 dB — loud laughter at a distance of 1 m;
80 dB — motorcycle engine, medium power vacuum cleaner.
The quieter the machine is, the more comfortable it will be to use and the better it will be suitable for a specific environment (for example, if there is a small child in the house or if you plan to run drying at night). At the same time, it is worth considering not only the actual noise level but also the installation location of the device. If the dryer is planned to...be installed in the basement of a private house with thick ceilings and the bedroom is located on the second floor, you can not pay much attention to the noise level: even the loudest unit is unlikely to create inconvenience.
Door opening
The direction in which the door of the dryer opens.
Most users are right-handed, so from this point of view, the best option is
leftward opening — the free space for loading and unloading laundry is just under the right hand. However, specifically in dryers, the
rightward opening is noticeably more common. It is because such units usually complement washing machines and are most often installed side by side. And in most washers, the door opens just to the left (again, based on convenience for right-handed people). Therefore, it is most convenient to place the dryer on the right and equip it with a hatch that opens to the right — this will allow you to overload the laundry from washer to dryer with minimal effort and time. And vice versa, if the door in the washing machine opens to the right, then it is better to choose a dryer with a leftward opening and install it on the left.
Sometimes both machines are installed as a column — a dryer on top of a washing machine. In such cases, the hatches of both machines should open in one direction — this is more convenient both from the point of view of ergonomics and purely psychologically. Moreover, if the "column” adjoins the wall sideways, then the opening should also occur towards the wall; otherwise, the laundry will have to be loaded and unloaded through the space between the open hatch and the wall, which can be very inconvenient.
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Note that in some dryers both opening options are claimed. It usually means that the door has a reversible mount, and the direction of opening can be chosen at your discretion. However, this feature does not hurt to clarify before buying.
