Heat Pump Tumble Dryers

Heat pump tumble dryers recycle the hot air they use to dry your clothes, instead of venting it out. This is a low-cost option for your household, as it saves energy.

John Lewis offers a wide range of tumble dryers. They offer vented and heat pump models. Learn more about tumble dryers in our article.

Cost

Tumble dryers are fantastic for reducing the need to hang laundry in the sun and for saving space for storage, but they tend to use quite a lot of energy. If you are looking to cut down on your energy costs you might want to looking into an energy-efficient tumble dryer. While these machines do have a higher upfront cost, they'll save you money in the long run because of their lower energy consumption.

The heat pump tumble dryers function by reheating the air that has already heated during the drying process which results in lower energy bills than condenser or vented models. This type of tumble-dryer uses less electricity than vented or condenser models, allowing you to save up to PS173 on your energy bills every year.

When comparing the performance of heat tumble dryers with pumps versus other models, there is usually a negligible price difference. It is important to consider the amount of energy consumed and how frequently you will use your tumble dryer. You'll have to consider the wattage of the dryer and also your electricity tariff which will determine the price you pay for each tumble dry.

Vented tumble dryers make use of gas to dry laundry and are powered by gas from the mains and are therefore an expensive option for those on a tight budget. They also have a smaller range in their installation locations because they need to be placed in an area with adequate ventilation to expel the damp air.

Condenser dryers eliminate the moisture from your laundry by moving hot humid air to separate units where it is transformed into water. The water is then drained away, either into a removable container that must be manually empty or be piped into your drainage system for continuous removal. This gives you more flexibility in the installation locations, but you will need to be prepared for additional maintenance by making sure the drain pipe is in good condition.

Energy efficiency

If you're concerned about your energy bills the tumble dryer heat pump can offer significant savings. The technology uses less electricity to warm the air in the tumble dryer, which enables it to dry your clothes more efficiently and at lower temperatures than vented models.

They also use a coolant that disperses the humidity in the air and then ejects it out through the condenser. This means they use less power to operate than traditional vented dryers. They might take a bit longer to finish your laundry cycle than vented dryers but your clothes will be looking and more comfortable for longer due to the lower temperatures for drying.

They can cost anywhere from $500 to $700 upfront, but the energy savings could easily compensate for this. They're also a larger investment and must be put in rooms with adequate ventilation.

Gas Safe engineers are required to install tumble dryers just as they do with any other electrical appliance. Ventilated dryers require a long, flexible vent hose that's permanently connected to the appliance at one end and a drainage point - either an outlet or a door - at the other. The hose is not shared or used in a manner that could damage it.

Condenser dryers function similarly as heat pump dryers. They use an electrical element to warm the air before releasing the moisture via a condensation tray. They're typically heavy-duty dryers that have higher capacity for wet loads, which range from 6kg to 10kg. They also operate more quietly. However, they're more costly than heat pump tumble dryers to buy and aren't appropriate for installations that do not have an ongoing connection to the wall. The cost of running them is more expensive than heat pump dryers, as they have to generate more heat to evaporate the moisture in your laundry. They are also less efficient than vented models. However, they make use of a considerable amount of power as they turn the motor heat pump tumble that rotates your laundry.

Noise

Tumble dryers make plenty of noise however, the level of loudness is dependent on a variety of factors. The decibel rating can only be one of many factors. The frequency of the sound also affects the level of loudness. The sound may also be amplified if there are resonant items nearby, such as cabinets, work surfaces or furniture. It may also be affected by the room's acoustics. The sound of your tumble dryer could be obstructed by carpets or other absorbent materials for acoustics.

Condenser and heat pump dryers are quieter than vented models, but it's important to remember that they're still noisy. They are more gentle on your clothes and dry your laundry slower with lower air temperatures. They also have a longer cycle. This means they're less damaging to your clothes and are less likely to cause the loss of color that is often caused by high temperatures, old fashioned tumble dryers.

If you're planning to use your tumble dryer primarily together with a washing machine it's important to remember that both appliances should be located close each other to prevent the noise and vibrations that occur when they are in use. To prevent this issue, a washer and dryer stacking set is available for both kinds of appliances.

A tumble dryer that is a heat pump requires a continuous flow of air to function, therefore it's best to put it in a ventilated area of your home. The vent hose should be connected permanently to the appliance, and positioned securely outside your home.

The condenser dryer isn't require permanent connections to a vent, and can be placed anywhere in your house. It stores the vapour and water leftover in containers that can be manually emptied, or connected to a drain using an drainage pipe that will automatically empty it.

Converting a vented tumble-dryer into condenser dryer is feasible using the conversion kit. However, this could invalidate the manufacturer's warranty and should only be performed by a trained professional. These kits include the parts needed to install a vent and a small water pump to eliminate the condensation, therefore they're not inexpensive.

Maintenance

The heat pump tumble dryers function differently than condenser or vented dryers in that they don't require venting outside to extract hot air. Instead the warm air that is passing through your clothes is gathered and stored inside the appliance itself, which then runs it through a condenser in order to separate the water from the hot air and then store it in a water tank (sometimes called a reservoir) inside the machine. It is necessary to empty the water tank eventually however, you can store the dryer in the same space as if you have vents.

Comparatively to vented models, the heat pump model consumes approximately 50% less energy. This makes it much cheaper to run, allowing you to save an average of PS42-PS51 each year according to Which?, and it's also more sustainable for the environment. It's not cheap to purchase tumble dryers, so you should be able to pay for the initial cost.

A heat pump tumble dryer requires minimal maintenance, other than cleaning the lint filters and looking for fluff on the heater unit every now and then. You'll have to clean your condensation drain more often and it takes longer to dry clothes than vented dryers.

If you're looking for a cheap tumble dryer you might want to taking a look at a sensor model that automatically ends when laundry is finished to avoid drying too long that could damage your clothes. However, you'll need to manually program the drying cycle and this can be a hassle if you have lots of different clothes in your wardrobe.

Brands such as Beko and John Lewis offer tumble dryers with heat pump dryers that utilize condenser, heat pump or vented technology. All models come with a 2-year warranty and John Lewis has excellent customer reviews and free delivery to homes. Make sure you read the warranty information prior to purchasing an appliance, particularly an electrical one such as a tumble dryer. This will ensure that you are protected in the event of a problem or breakdown.