We bought a new condenser tumbe dryer which we keep in the garage - where the old venting dryer used to be, and where it worked happily for twenty years.

The new one did not heat up the other day and we called out the repair company. The engineer told us that condensing dryers don't work at temperatues under 5 C. This means in effect that you can't use them in an unheated garage in the coldest part of the winter.

Can this be right? No mention of this restriction anywhere when we bought it, or in the manual (except as a line in the Technical Data).

This makes it almost useless, since the coldest part of the winter is exactly when you need it most.

Anybody know if this is correct? Or if there's a way round it?

RichardH, November 2010

Dear RichardH:
No help but we're currently experiencing exactly the same problem with our new Hoover Condenser Dryer (Energy rating B), without any mention in the (quite comprehensive) user manual (which is the reason I'm also searching for explanation)
Regards

Phil L., November 2010

Thanks for the answer.

Very annoying that this rather important fact is not mentioned anywhere in the sales info or user manual.

RichardH, November 2010

this is correct with some makes especially with good energy rarings and the only solution is to bring it in to a heated house.the element is only capable of heating the air so many degrees so if its cold the average temp may be low causing poor drying or very long dry times

ck, November 2010