September 2023

George Barclay
Laundry Expert

Commercial tumble dryers aren’t made equal. There are several models to choose from, each utilising different heating elements and technologies to dry garments to a high standard in as little time as possible.

Two of the most common types of dryers include vented dryers and condenser dryers. So, what makes these appliances different? And how do they compare in terms of features, benefits and functionality?

In an attempt to settle the vented vs condenser dryer debate once and for all, we’re taking a look at each of these tumble dryers to explain what they are, how they work and the pros and cons they provide.

What are vented tumble dryers?

Vented tumble dryers are among the most common types of commercial dryers you’re likely to encounter. They work by expelling the hot air generated inside the drum along a pipe, where it can be “vented” safely along a series of ducts into a non-enclosed space.

What are the pros and cons of vented tumble dryers?

Pros

Efficiency: Since vented dryers don’t need to convert air into water (as with condenser models), they require much less energy to run, making them more efficient.
Lower initial purchase cost: Vented dryers are among the cheapest tumble dryers available, which may appeal to some buyers.
Moderate drying speeds: Vented dryers offer reasonable drying times depending on the load size in question.

Cons

Location requirement: Since vented tumble dryers expel damp, warm air, they need to be positioned near an external wall where a vent or duct can be fitted to allow the air to escape. If your laundry doesn’t meet these requirements, you may need to consider another type of dryer.

What are condenser tumble dryers?

As the name suggests, condenser tumble dryers work by converting hot air generated inside the drying drum into water through condensation. That means, unlike vented dryers, these appliances don’t require an external vented hose to direct the hot air away from your laundry and into the open air.

What are the pros and cons of condenser tumble dryers?

Pros

No need for an external vent: With no need for external venting, condenser-style dryers can be placed anywhere – perfect for laundries with limited space or access to an external wall.
High-temperature drying: Condenser dryers heat to around 75°C, meaning rapid drying times compared to vented models.

Cons

High energy consumption: Since condenser dryers reach higher temperatures and rely on condensation to remove hot air from the system, they are much more energy-intensive than other dryers out there.
Still require a constant supply of cool air: Don’t think that you can squeeze a condenser tumble dryer into a tiny space, as these appliances do require a constant stream of cool air to operate efficiently.
Condensation tank needs to be emptied: All that condensed water needs to go somewhere, so you might find yourself emptying your dryer’s water tank quite often during regular use.

Heat pump dryers: The real winner of the best tumble dryer debate?

If you’re no closer to deciding if a vented or condenser-style tumble dryer is right for you, allow us to throw a third option into the mix: heat pump dryers.

Heat pump tumble dryers are becoming a popular solution, particularly for laundry managers looking to balance speed and drying time with outright energy efficiency. Heat pump dryers use a closed-loop cycle to recirculate hot air, making them considerably less energy-intensive than their vented and condensing counterparts.

What are the pros and cons of heat pump dryers?

Pros

More energy efficient than other dryers
Doesn’t require external venting
Lower temperatures may be gentler for some garment and fabric types

Cons

Slower drying times than vented and condenser dryers
More expensive to buy outright
Water tank requires emptying regularly

We hope this guide points you in the direction of your next professional tumble dryer. If you’d like to learn more about how different dryer running costs compare, take a look at this helpful resource. Alternatively, explore our full range of industrial and commercial dryers and commercial laundry equipment or call us on 0808 239 2982 for further help and advice.

George Barclay
Laundry Expert

Industrial and commercial irons come in all shapes and sizes, with features to suit everything from standard flatwork to more delicate materials. But which is the right option for you?

If you’re thinking about investing in a new ironing machine for your laundry setup, this guide to JLA’s range could help.

Commercial and industrial rotary irons

With up to seven different speed settings, plus quality and temperature controls, JLA’s rotary irons offer the perfect almost-hands-free ironing experience, and allow your operators to finish large volumes of fabrics at the touch of a button.

Our rotary irons are designed to withstand heavy use in commercial and industrial settings. But they’re also made to keep users safe: built-in safety thermostats prevent overheating, while finger safety rods will automatically invert the roller rotation and lift the heating plate in case of emergency.

Professional ironing tables

JLA’s ironing tables combine exceptional build quality with robust, ever-reliable performance, and feature a stove-enamelled cabinet that’s been made to maintain cleanliness and stand the test of time (and heavy use).

Thanks to a heated ironing board, residual moisture is quickly reduced, which helps to keep the ironing surface dry. What’s more, a built-in vacuum cools garments for sharper creases and holds garments down for even better finishing results. And because it’s so easy to operate, you can except professional results with minimum staff training.

The perfect workstation for flatwork.

Commercial steam irons with ironing tables

With built-in boilers and micro-switch controls, JLA’s steam irons produce a constant supply of steam through a powerful jet, delivering excellent results in next to no time. Partner one with a professional ironing table, and you’ll have a true finishing workhorse – ideal for increasing laundry efficiency.

Plus, the whole unit is mounted on castors, so you can move it about for maximum flexibility. It even runs straight from a 13-amp socket for extra convenience.

Dry ironers

Dry ironers deliver a high-end finish with total reliability. These ironers are easy to use and prove ideal for processing flatwork in small to medium applications, on a wide range of fabric types.

Generally, you’ll get the best performance from flat ironing by conditioning the fabric in a commercial tumble dryer first – this allows for a single pass through the ironer. Meanwhile, accurate temperature controls enable a wide range of fabrics to be perfectly finished without wasting heat energy, and a full-length pedal and return feed facility eases operation.

Looking for your next industrial iron and commercial laundry equipment? Chat through your needs with our experts – we’ll help you make the right investment for your laundry process.

Mark Bone
Fire safety expert

As one of the UK’s leading fire safety specialists, we often receive questions from our customers about automatic opening vents and their functions, how and when you should carry out testing, and cost estimates.

For answers to these queries and more, just read on.

What does AOV stand for?

AOV is short for automatic opening vent, sometimes called an automatic smoke vent, NSHEV (Natural Smoke Heat Exhaust Ventilator, smart smoke control system, or simply an AOV system. In an emergency, a building’s AOVs will help to clear heat, smoke and hazardous gases from lobbies, stairwells, and corridors. This helps people to safely escape and gives emergency crews faster access.

What’s the British standard for AOVs?

BS EN12101 is the harmonised European standard for smoke and heat control. Before an AOV can be certified to this standard, it needs to undergo stringent testing.

However, this standard applies to every component used in a smoke control system. The whole system will need be tested as a collective unit to make sure it’s compliant with all relevant building regulations.

Can an AOV double up as roof access?

There are many kinds of AOVs, including windows, glazed louvres, dampers and two-in-one roof access hatches. These hatches allow you and your teams to carry out roof maintenance, while maximizing the amount of light you get in a space.

Many AOV roof hatches come with offset actuator arms, which enable easier access to the roof area. It’s also possible to install ladder mounts and grab handles for simple ascent and descent.

How often should I test an AOV?

In line with fire safety regulations, you should carry out weekly visual checks of all smoke vents for signs of faults, misuse, or vandalism. Manual testing by a responsible person must be conducted every month to check all AOVs are in good working order.

You’ll need to have your AOVs serviced annually or bi-annually by a smoke vent specialist, with all maintenance certificates kept and logged. At JLA, we actually recommend bi-annual servicing for extra peace of mind, especially if you’re working in high-risk industries.

If any faults are found or reported in the interim periods, they must be addressed as soon as possible.

Take a look at our AOV testing and servicing guide for more information.

What does an AOV cost?

The cost of an AOV system will vary depending on its size, type (window, hatch or damper), whether it’s automatic or manually controlled, and any service or maintenance contracts you take out to care for it. At JLA, we design and install bespoke AOV packages for a wide variety of projects. Simply contact us today for pricing information.

Helen Buchan
Infection control expert

From the hospital ward to the residents’ lounge, it’s vital to maintain high standards of infection control in care environments. But with a big focus on energy rates, managers are also looking closer at the energy (and cost) efficiency of the equipment their facilities rely on.

Two products helping to uphold hygiene standards are pulp macerators and bedpan washers. Both offer a lifespan of around 10 years, yet new JLA research shows that differences in energy consumption, water usage, and operating costs do add up. Below, we explore the benefits of using a macerator over a bedpan washer, and how the right choice could enhance care standards, reduce infection risks, and bring you savings.

Macerators reduce infection risks

Studies have shown that bedpan washing carries the risk of transferring infectious bacteria and spores which, when passed to other patients, contribute to billions each year spent on antibiotics, cleaning, testing and nursing costs. As macerators are foot-operated, there’s a significantly reduced risk of infection spread versus bedpan washers, which involve far more hands-on handling (and checking after each cycle). Bedpan washers also rely on temperature checks to guarantee thermal disinfection, while macerators simply process waste with no fuss. This extra layer of protection could mean fewer infections and healthier patients, residents and staff.

Macerators don’t use chemicals or disinfectants

Bedpan washers rely on chemicals and disinfectants to clean reusable products, while a macerator only requires a small amount of water to process pulp containers and waste. This means you’re likely to save money on consumables over the long term, making macerators a cheaper – and potentially greener – choice.

Macerator servicing and maintenance costs are lower

Used properly, your pulp macerator should need less servicing than a bedpan washer throughout its life. As macerators are designed to process waste efficiently, they’re also much less likely to cause drain blockages, reducing the risk of downtime interruptions, and keeping your out-of-plan maintenance costs down.

Macerators save your staff time

Macerators allow carers to quickly and hygienically dispose of pulp and waste, which means their focus can stay on patients and residents. Bedpan washers, meanwhile, often require monitoring, loading and unloading, and careful checking, which can take up precious time and resources.

Macerators use less water and electricity

When it comes to utilities, a macerator will use up to 15 litres of water and 0.21 kWh of electricity less than a bedpan washer during a single cycle. The difference may seem small in isolation, but will add up to significant energy and cost savings over the equipment’s 10-year lifespan. All things considered, macerators will cost up to 60% less to operate, use up to 60% less water, and need up to 96.5% less electricity compared to bedpan washers – a compelling set of numbers!

Costs in focus

By investing in pulp macerator systems, your facilities can improve patient care, drive sustainability, and save on energy costs, all while supporting your infection control strategy.

For help choosing the right systems for your facilities, simply get in touch. Or, for a detailed look at the variance in costs between macerators and bedpan washers, review our table below.

Cost in use model	Single use system (Macerator & Pulp)	Reusable System (Reusable Utensils & Bedpan Washer Disinfector)	Variance
Capital costs
Machine cost	£3,000	£6,000	£3,000
Life cycle (years)	10	10
Cost p.a	£300	£600	£300
Consumable costs (annual)
Pulp consumables	£1300	£0	-£1,300
Chemicals/disinfectants	£0	£200	£200
Servicing costs	£0	£750	£750
Labour costs	£0	£2,080	£2,080
Number of cycles p.a.	8,000	8,000
Water
Consumption (litres) per cycle	24	39	15
Cost of water (IN) (per m3)	£1.00	£1.00
Cost of water (OUT) (per m3)	£2.00	£2.00
Cost of water per cycle	£.0.07	£0.12	£0.05
Cost of water p.a	£576.00	£936.00	£360
Consumption (litres) p.a.	192,000	312,000	120,000
Electricity
Electricity consumption	0.0360	0.2500	0.2140
Cost of electricity (£/Kwh)	£0.10	£0.10
Cost of electricity per cycle	£0.004	£0.03	£0.02
Cost of electricity p.a.	£28.80	£200.00	£171.20
Total cost p.a. per machine	£2,204.80	£4,766.00	£2,561.20
Multiple machines for ex. 10 units, total cost per annum	£22,048.00	£47,660.00	£25,612.00

George Barclay
Laundry Expert

Ever wondered why commercial washing machines are so much quicker than their domestic counterparts? This guide has all the answers.

Our experts are taking a look at all the unique features that separate commercial-grade washing machines from those used in the home, so you can get a clear picture of what these industry-ready laundry appliances offer in terms of performance and efficiency.

Are commercial washing machines faster than domestic ones?

Most definitely. The average cycle time on a commercial washing machine is 35-40 minutes, rising to 60-90 minutes on the equivalent, top-spec non-industrial appliance. That’s a significant time saving of almost 50% in some cases, making commercial washers ideal for organisations that manage a high volume of laundry every day.

What makes commercial washing machines faster?

So, what is it that commercial washing machines have that makes them so much quicker than those found in our homes? Here’s a look at all their features and benefits.

More robust internal plumbing

The plumbing components within commercial washers, including the hose feed, hot water feed and fill pressure, are significantly more robust than those found on domestic appliances. This means they’re able to fill and heat more quickly and efficiently, reducing cycle times in the process.

Rapid sump drainage

Did you know that a commercial washer is capable of discharging water through the sump drain in under 30 seconds? Compare that to the average 2-3 minutes for domestic washers, and it’s easy to see why these industrial appliances are so much faster and more efficient.

Higher G-Force/RPM

The next generation of commercial washers, including the JLA SMART range, offer remarkably fast spin speeds, with a maximum RPM and g-force that’s considerably higher than even the most premium domestic model. Quicker spin speeds mean greater water extraction, for a shorter cycle time and faster drying time in the commercial tumble dryer.

Larger doors

While larger doors don’t directly improve commercial washer cycle times, they do mean you can fit more items into a single load. They also assist with loading and unloading times – processes that can make all the difference in the overall performance and efficiency of your laundry room.

Higher capacity

On a similar note, the high capacities of professional washing machines also aid with overall laundry times, with some of the largest machines capable of washing up to 180kg of garments in a single load. Again, this doesn’t directly affect cycle speed, but it does mean a significant uptick in day-to-day efficiency by reducing the number of required loads.

To learn more about commercial washers and what sets them apart, be sure to read our guide to the key differences between domestic and commercial washing machines. In the market for a new professional washer or other laundry appliance? Browse our full range of commercial laundry machines.

George Barclay
Laundry Expert

In commercial settings, industrial steam ironing offers an efficient, versatile way to finish fabrics manually – quickly removing wrinkles to give linen and garments a crisp, professional edge.

Here, we take a look at the benefits of steam ironing versus more traditional dry ironing, and explain why, despite electricity rates, clothes steamers could still be an energy-efficient option.

Steam ironing or dry ironing – which is better?

While there’s plenty of debate about whether steam ironing is better than dry ironing, the sensible answer is also pretty simple: it all depends on the materials you’re finishing. Steam irons tend to have the edge when you’re dealing with fabrics that are prone to wrinkling – that’s because the steam relaxes the fabric’s fibres, and creates a smoother finish.

Dry ironing, meanwhile, uses the heat of the metal base and the weight of the iron to compress the fabric’s fibres, which produces a brilliantly smooth finish but can sometimes shorten the lifespan of the garments or linen in question.

Do industrial clothes steamers use a lot of electricity?

While clothes steamers do consume more water than traditional irons, they are actually very efficient and come with a bonus. When you steam-iron, you’re also killing bacteria and helping to remove odours as you go. This not only prolongs the life of your fabrics, but also reduces the need for frequent washes. So, by steaming garments between washes, you’re likely to use less water and energy, and save a little more.

Are dry irons ever better than steamers?

Dry irons definitely still have a place in most laundry operations, especially if you’re dealing with thicker fabrics like denim or heavy cotton. Fabrics that are prone to melting – think suede, plastic-coated jackets, or delicate materials like satin and velvet – are also better suited. Plus, there could be situations where people want to wear their clothes straight after they’ve been ironed – steam ironing can sometimes leave garments feeling damp for a short period of time.

Why invest in a JLA commercial steam ironer?

JLA’s S/AR Steam Iron and Board offer a full range of features designed to meet the demands of commercial laundries, with a build quality you can always rely on. The S/AR’s stove-enamelled cabinet delivers cleanliness, longevity, and robust performance, while the heated ironing board removes residual moisture, keeping the ironing surface dry and enhancing the ironing process.

Thanks to the board’s built-in vacuum, garments are cooled for sharper creases, and held to the table, which results in a superior finish. And because the iron uses a micro-switch control for a constant supply of steam, you can enjoy professional results with minimal staff training, and streamline the ironing process.

What’s more, the whole unit is mounted on castors, so you can move it about and enjoy maximum flexibility in any setting.

For more advice on commercial irons, contact JLA’s experts.

Total Care

Existing customers

Month: September 2023

What are vented tumble dryers?

What are the pros and cons of vented tumble dryers?

What are condenser tumble dryers?

What are the pros and cons of condenser tumble dryers?

Heat pump dryers: The real winner of the best tumble dryer debate?

What are the pros and cons of heat pump dryers?

Commercial and industrial rotary irons

Professional ironing tables

Commercial steam irons with ironing tables

Dry ironers

What does AOV stand for?

What’s the British standard for AOVs?

Can an AOV double up as roof access?

How often should I test an AOV?

What does an AOV cost?

Macerators reduce infection risks

Macerators don’t use chemicals or disinfectants

Macerator servicing and maintenance costs are lower

Macerators save your staff time

Macerators use less water and electricity

Costs in focus

Are commercial washing machines faster than domestic ones?

What makes commercial washing machines faster?

More robust internal plumbing

Rapid sump drainage

Higher G-Force/RPM

Larger doors

Higher capacity

Steam ironing or dry ironing – which is better?

Do industrial clothes steamers use a lot of electricity?

Are dry irons ever better than steamers?

Why invest in a JLA commercial steam ironer?

About JLA

Solutions

Sectors

Talk to our experts today

Total Care

What are vented tumble dryers?

What are the pros and cons of vented tumble dryers?

What are condenser tumble dryers?

What are the pros and cons of condenser tumble dryers?

Heat pump dryers: The real winner of the best tumble dryer debate?

What are the pros and cons of heat pump dryers?

Commercial and industrial rotary irons

Professional ironing tables

Commercial steam irons with ironing tables

Dry ironers

What does AOV stand for?

What’s the British standard for AOVs?

Can an AOV double up as roof access?

How often should I test an AOV?

What does an AOV cost?

Macerators reduce infection risks

Macerators don’t use chemicals or disinfectants

Macerator servicing and maintenance costs are lower

Macerators save your staff time

Macerators use less water and electricity

Costs in focus

Are commercial washing machines faster than domestic ones?

What makes commercial washing machines faster?

More robust internal plumbing

Rapid sump drainage

Higher G-Force/RPM

Larger doors

Higher capacity

Steam ironing or dry ironing – which is better?

Do industrial clothes steamers use a lot of electricity?

Are dry irons ever better than steamers?

Why invest in a JLA commercial steam ironer?

About JLA

Solutions

Sectors

George Barclay

Laundry Expert

Mark Bone

Fire safety expert

Helen Buchan

Infection control expert

Talk to our experts today