Are ductless dryers more efficient than ducted dryers?

Energy efficiency
Ductless (Ventless) dryers are a more efficient than ducted dryers for a couple of reasons. Ducted (vented) dryers take in climate-controlled air from your home and pump it outdoors. This forces your furnace to work harder in the winter months, and your air conditioner to work harder in the summer months. A ductless dryer reuses the same air throughout a drying cycle and does not put as much strain on the home’s heating and cooling systems. Ductless dryers operate at lower temperatures and do not consume as much energy as ducted.

Moisture
When considering whether to buy a ducted or vented dryer, it is important to consider how it can affect the humidity of your home.

Ducted dryers are good for homes where exhaust air can be properly vented to the outside of the home. If a dryer is not properly vented, this can cause moisture problems within the building envelope. These units are best suited for houses where there is space to accommodate proper ventilation.

Ductless dryers are a good option in apartments and condos where venting the dryer isn’t possible. The moisture form a ductless dryer is condensed and then collected in a containment chamber, or directed through the washer’s drainpipe.

To find the most energy-efficient models for your home, visit the Natural Resources Canada searchable product list or BC Hydro’s list of energy-efficient products.

Did you see a building science or energy efficiency term you did not understand? Check out our glossary.