Heat Pump Tumble Dryers

The a+++ tumble dryer heat pump dryers of a heat pump 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 helps conserve energy.

John Lewis has a range of tumble dryers, including condenser and vented models and heat pump tumble dryers. Find out more about them in our guide to tumble dryers.

Cost

Tumble dryers are excellent for eliminating the need to hang laundry in the sun, and also for saving space for storage, but they tend to use quite lots of energy. If you're looking to reduce your energy bills you might want to trying an energy-efficient tumble dryer. Although these dryers do have a higher initial cost, they'll save you money in the end because of their lower energy consumption.

Heat pump tumble dryers work by reheating the air that has already been warmed up during the drying process, heat pump tumble dryer uk which results in significantly lower energy bills than condenser or vented models. This type of tumble-dryer uses less electricity than vented or condenser models, saving you up to PS173 on your energy bills every year.

When comparing heat tumble dryers with pumps versus other types, there's generally a small cost difference. It is essential to think about the amount of energy consumed and the frequency you use your tumble dryer. You'll have to consider the wattage of your machine and also your electricity bill, which will influence how much you have to pay for each tumble dry.

Vented tumble dryers can be more expensive if your budget is tight. They use gas to dry your laundry, and they are powered by mains gas. They are also more limited in their locations of installation because they must be located in a space that has adequate ventilation to get rid of the damp air.

Condenser dryers remove moisture from the laundry by transferring hot air into an additional condensing unit where it's converted to water. This water can either be removed into a container that has to be manually empty or piped into your drainage system to eliminate it continuously. This allows for greater flexibility in the installation areas, however you will need to prepare for extra maintenance by ensuring the drain pipe is in good working order.

Energy efficiency

A tumble dryer's heat-pump can help you save money on energy bills. The technology requires less energy to heat pump tumble Dryer uk the air inside the tumble dryer. This allows it to dry clothes more efficiently and at a lower temperatures than vented models.

They also use a coolant that disperses the air's humidity and ejects it through the condenser. This means they use less power to operate than traditional vented dryers. They may take longer to complete your laundry cycle than vented dryers however your clothes will remain looking and more comfortable longer due to the lower temperatures of drying.

Typically they'll cost you between $500 and $700 more up front than condenser dryers but the extra cost is offset by the savings you'll gain on your energy bills over the long term. They're also more expensive and must be installed in rooms that have adequate ventilation.

Gas Safe engineers are required to install tumble dryers, similar to any other electrical appliance. A vented dryer requires an extended, flexible vent hose that's permanently connected to your appliance at one end, and a drainage point - either an outlet or Heat pump tumble dryer uk a door or window at the other. This hose must be properly secured in place and cannot be shared with other appliance or used in any way that could lead to its deterioration.

Condenser dryers function similarly to heat pump dryers. They utilize an electric element to heat the air and then expel the moisture via a condensation tray. They tend to be heavy-duty dryers with greater wet load capacities ranging from 6kg to 10kg, and are quieter to operate. However, they're more costly than heat pump tumble dryers and aren't appropriate for installations that do not have an unbreakable connection to the wall. They're also more expensive to run than heat pump dryers as they require lots of heat to remove the water from your laundry. They also are not as efficient as vented models. However, they do still require a significant amount of power as they turn the motor that rotates your laundry.

Noise

Tumble dryers produce plenty of noise however the volume they emit is dependent on a variety of variables. The decibel rating is only one of them, and the frequency of the noise will also influence the volume at which it is. The sound may be amplified by nearby resonant objects like work surfaces, cabinets or furniture, and it may be affected by the acoustics of the room. The sound from your tumble dryer might be muffled by carpets or another absorbent materials for acoustics.

Condenser and heat pump models are quieter than vented dryers however they're still loud. They are gentler on fabrics and dry your laundry slower due to lower temperatures of air. They also have longer cycles. This means that they're less damaging to your clothes and are less likely to cause loss of colour often caused by high temperatures, old fashioned tumble dryers.

If you're planning to use your tumble dryer mostly in conjunction with washing machines it's crucial to remember that the two appliances must be located close each other to prevent noise and vibrations during operation. To avoid this issue there is a washer and dryer stacking set is available for both kinds of appliances.

Heat pump tumble dryers need continuous flow of air to work, therefore they should be placed in a space that is well-ventilated in your home. You'll need to ensure that the vent hose is permanently connected to the appliance and securely routed outside of your house, rather than redirected through a door or window.

The condenser tumbler, in contrast, does not require an ongoing connection to a vent, and can be put in any place in your home. It stores the vapour and water leftover in a container that is manually emptied, or connected to a drain via a drainage pipe which will automatically empty it.

Converting a vented tumble dryer into condenser dryer can be done by using an conversion kit. However, this will invalidate the warranty of the manufacturer and should only by done by a qualified professional. The kits contain the components required to set up the vent and a tiny water pump to eliminate the condensation, so they're not cheap.

Maintenance

The heat pump tumble dryers function differently than condenser or vented machines because they don't require venting outside to extract hot air. The warm air that is blown over your clothes is collected and then run through a condenser that separates the hot water from the cold air. It is then collected in a reservoir of water (sometimes called a tank) within the appliance. You'll need to empty the tank eventually however, you can keep the dryer in the same location as if you installed vents.

The heat pump model is around 50% more energy efficient than vented models. According to Which?, it is also less expensive to run. You can save PS42-PS51 per year. However, it's not an inexpensive tumble dryer to buy and you need to make sure you can afford the upfront costs.

In general the heat pump tumble dryer needs minimal maintenance, other than cleaning the lint filter and looking for fluff around the heater unit each time. However, you will need to clean the drain for condensation often and it can take longer than a vented tumble dryer to dry your clothes.

If you are looking for a cheap tumble dryer, it might be worth looking into a sensor model that automatically stops when your laundry is done. This will prevent drying too long that could damage your clothes. However, you'll have to manually program the drying cycle and this can be a challenge if you have lots of different clothes in your wardrobe.

Brands such as Beko and John Lewis provide tumble dryers that utilize condenser, heat pump, or vented technology. John Lewis offers a free home delivery service and a two-year warranty. You should always check the warranty details carefully before you purchase any appliance, particularly one that is electrical like a tumbler to make sure you're covered in case of breakdowns or malfunctions.