Install a dryer | OCU

Dryers are very useful appliances if you live in an area with high ambient humidity or if your home does not have a space to hang clothes. Modern heat pump dryers are very efficient and consume less than you think, around 1.5 kWh per cycle.

If you need to install a new or used dryer or just want to move the one you have, don't worry, because the dryers are quite simple to start.

The first thing you need to know is that there are two types of dryers:

The instructions that we give you below are valid for condenser dryers.

Install the condenser dryer in a few steps

1. Choose a good place

To install a condenser dryer, you just need to have a power outlet nearby that can withstand 2,000 W (it will be marked as 10A) with an earth connection. It is convenient that it has an earth connection and that the circuit has a protection switch in the electrical control panel.

For the rest, you should look for a room where there are no extreme temperatures, preferably indoors (between 5 and 35 ºC). At very cold temperatures, they stop working to prevent the pipes from freezing and at very high temperatures, drying times are lengthened.

The ground where you install it must be completely flat. With the help of a level you must regulate the legs to prevent it from vibrating and making noise.

2. Check the dimensions

Check the measurements of your model in the specifications. A standard dryer is 60 cm wide and about 85 cm high. To fit it under the kitchen countertops, they have small adjustable feet. Regarding the depth, it is also 60 cm, but we must take into account the space that the door occupies since, depending on the model, it can reach more than 65 cm.

3. Decide: next to the washing machine or on a column

The dryer, for convenience, is usually installed near the washing machine. In this way we will not have to move wet clothes around the house. If you have space, it is usually more comfortable to put one next to the other.

If there is little space and you are going to put them, for example, on a clothesline, you can put the dryer on top of the washing machine, in a column.

4. Place it in its position and plug it in

It is advisable to leave a few centimeters of separation between the back and the wall. This way, the dryer will have good ventilation. Otherwise, it will decrease its performance and could affect its proper functioning.

Exchange one dryer for another

If the new dryer has replaced an old one, remember that you can only get rid of one appliance:

It's easy to install a new dryer by following the instructions OCU gives you. The hard part is choosing the best.

If you have to change your old dryer due to wear or breakdown, OCU makes it easy for you. Our comparator will help you get it right:

Find your dryer in the comparator

Dryer Installation FAQs

What types of dryers are on the market?

You can check the types of dryers in our buying guide.

What do I need to install a dryer?

If the dryer is condenser, all I need is an electrical outlet.

If the dryer is an evacuation dryer, I will also need a steam evacuation tube.

Where can I install the dryer?

In the kitchen, in the bathroom, in a closed gallery or terrace where there is a plug to connect it. It can also be in a garage if there is a plug.

It is important that you do not install it next to other appliances that generate heat such as ovens or stoves.

How to know if a garment can be put in the dryer?

We must check the label of the garment. If the tumble dryer symbol (a circle within a square) is crossed out, that garment should not be tumble dried. The different dots indicate at what temperature it can be used.

How do you use a dryer?

You can consult our tips for use and maintenance.