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Heat Pump Tumble Dryers

Heat pump tumble dryers recycle the hot air they use to dry your clothes, instead of venting it to the outside. This saves you energy, making it a cost-effective choice for your household.

John Lewis offers a wide selection of tumble dryers. These include both vented and heat pump models. Find out more in our guide to tumble dryers.

Cost

Tumble dryers are useful for reducing space and heat pump dryers reducing the need to dry laundry in the sunlight however they can consume a lot of energy. If you are looking to cut down on your energy bills it might be worth considering switching to an energy-efficient tumble dryer. They’re more expensive initially, however they will save you money over time because of their lower energy consumption.

The heat pump tumble dryer uk pump tumble dryers operate on the basis of heating the air that was warmed up during the drying process. This results in significantly lower energy bills than models that are vented or condenser. This type of tumble dryers heat pump vs condenser dryer typically uses about half the electricity as a vented condenser model, and as such can save you as much as PS173 per year on your energy bills.

When you compare the cost of a heat pump tumble dryer against other models, the difference is usually negligible. It is important to consider the amount of energy consumed and the frequency you use your tumble dryer. You’ll have to consider the wattage of the machine and also your electricity tariff which will affect the amount you pay for each tumble dry.

Vented tumble dryers can be more expensive in the event of a tight budget. They use gas to dry your laundry and they are powered by mains gas. The installation options are also limited as they must be placed in a room that has adequate ventilation for the damp air.

Condenser dryers eliminate moisture from the laundry by transferring hot air into a separate condensing unit, which converts it into water. This water can either be removed into a container that must be manually empty, or it can be pumped into your drainage system to eliminate it constantly. This allows you to set up the system in a variety of locations. However, you’ll need to conduct additional maintenance on the drain pipe.

Energy efficiency

If you’re concerned about your electricity bills, a tumble dryer heat pump can offer significant savings. The technology uses less electricity to warm the air inside the tumble dryer, allowing it to dry your clothes more efficiently and at a lower temperature than vented models.

The dryers also use a coolant to liquefy the air’s humidity, which is then ejected through the condenser. This means they use less energy than traditional vented dryers. They might take a bit longer to complete your cycle of laundry than vented dryers but your clothes will be looking and feeling better longer due to the lower temperatures for drying.

They’ll cost you an additional $500-$700 upfront however the energy savings will make up for this. They also cost more and require adequate ventilation.

As with all electrical appliances, it’s essential that any installation of a tumbler is completed by an experienced Gas Safe engineer. Ventilated dryers require a long flexible vent hose permanently connected to your appliance at one end and a drainage point – either a drain or a window or door at the other. The hose should be secured in place and cannot be shared with another appliance or used in any manner that could cause it to degrade.

Like heat pump dryers, a condenser operates by heating the air with an electrical element before expels the moisture via a condensation tray. They’re usually heavy-duty dryers, with greater capacity for wet loads, ranging from 6kg – 10kg. They also operate more quietly. However, they’re more costly than heat pump tumble dryers to buy and aren’t suited for installations that don’t have an unbreakable connection to the wall. They’re also more expensive to operate than heat pump dryers because they need to generate a lot of heat to evaporate the water from your laundry. They also are not as efficient as vented models. They still require electricity to turn the motor which rotates your clothes.

Noise

The sound produced by tumble dryers is quite loud, but the volume depends on several factors. The decibel rating is just one of them, and the frequency of the noise will also affect how loud it sounds. The sound can also be amplified if there are any resonant objects in the vicinity like cabinets, work surfaces, or furniture. It could also be affected by a room’s acoustics. The sound of the tumble dryer may be slowed by acoustic absorbent materials such as carpets, or be drowned out by other appliances that are operating within your home.

Heat pump and condenser tumble dryers are quieter than vented models, however it’s important to keep in mind that they’re still loud. They are gentler on fabrics, drying your laundry more slowly with lower air temperatures and a much longer cycle than traditional models. This means that they’re less damaging to your clothes and are less likely to cause loss of color that is often caused by high temperatures, old fashioned tumble dryers.

If you plan to use your tumble dryer mostly together with washing machines it is crucial to remember that the two appliances must be located close to each other in order to avoid vibrations and noise when they are in use. A washer and dryer stacking kit can help avoid this issue, which can be bought for both kinds of appliances.

They require a constant flow of air in order to function, so they should be placed in a space that is well ventilated in your home. You’ll need to make sure that the vent hose is connected to the appliance and that it’s securely positioned out of your home instead of being directed through a window or door.

The condenser tumbler, however isn’t requiring the permanent connection to a vent and can be installed anywhere in your home. It collects the vapour left behind and water in a condensation container that can either be manually empty or connected to a drain via an drainage tube, which will automatically empty it.

Converting a vented tumble dryer into condenser dryer can be done by using a conversion kit. However, it will affect the manufacturer’s warranty and should only by done by a certified professional. The kits contain the components needed to install a vent and a small water pump to remove the condensation, so they’re not cheap.

Maintenance

A heat pump tumble dryer is different from vented or condenser models as it doesn’t require external venting to extract the hot air. Instead the warm air that passes through your clothes is gathered and stored inside the appliance and then it is pushed through a condenser in order to separate the hot water from the cold air and collect it in a tank (sometimes called a reservoir) inside the machine. This means that you’ll need to empty the tank at some time, but it also allows you to keep the dryer in less space than if you were to install a vent in the machine.

The heat pump model is around 50% more energy efficient than vented models. This makes it much cheaper to run, allowing you to save PS42-PS51 a year on average according to Which? and it’s also much better for the environment. However, it’s not an inexpensive tumble dryer to buy, and you should ensure you can afford the initial cost.

A tumble dryer with a heat pump requires minimal maintenance, other than cleaning the lint filters and looking for fluff on the heater unit every now and then. However, you do need to clean the drain of condensation often and it can take longer than a vented tumble dryer to dry your clothes.

If you’re looking for a low-cost tumble dryer it is worth taking a look at a sensor model that automatically ends when laundry is done. This will prevent drying too long that could damage your clothes. But, you’ll have to program the drying cycle, and this can be a challenge if you have lots of different fabrics in your wardrobe.

Brands such as Beko and John Lewis provide tumble dryers that use heat pump, condenser, or vented technology. They all come with a two-year warranty, and John Lewis has excellent customer reviews and free home delivery. You should always check the warranty information carefully prior to purchasing any appliance, particularly an electrical one such as a tumbler, to make sure you’re covered in case of breakdowns or faults.