Heat Pump Tumble Dryers

Heat pump tumble dryers recycle hot air used to dry your clothes instead of venting it outdoors. This is a low-cost option for your household, as it helps conserve energy.

John Lewis offers a wide variety of tumble dryers. They offer heat pump and heat pump tumble dryers vented models. Find out more in our guide to tumble dryers.

Cost

Tumble dryers are great for saving space and decreasing the need to dry laundry in the sunlight, but they tend to consume a lot of electricity. If you are looking to cut down on your energy consumption you might want to considering switching to an energy-efficient tumble dryer. While these machines do have a higher upfront cost, they can save you money in the long run due to their lower energy consumption.

Heat pump tumble dryers work by reheating the air that was already warmed during the drying cycle, which results in significantly lower energy costs than vented or condenser models. This kind of tumble dryer uses half the electricity as condenser or vented models, saving you up to PS173 on your monthly utility bills.

When it comes to comparing the price of a heat pump tumble dryer with other types, the price difference is usually minimal. But, it's crucial to take into consideration the amount of energy that is being used and the frequency you'll use your tumble dryer. You'll need to factor in the wattage of the dryer and also your electricity rate which will affect the amount you pay for each a+++ tumble dryer heat pump dry.

Vented tumble dryers make use of gas to dry the laundry and are powered by gas mains and are therefore an expensive option for those on a tight budget. The options for installation are restricted because they have to be placed in a room with enough ventilation to the humid air.

Condenser dryers remove the moisture from your laundry by transferring hot humid air into separate units where it is converted to water. The water is then drained away either into a removable container that must be emptied manually or be piped into your drainage system to ensure continuous removal. This allows you to install the system in a variety of places. However, you will need to conduct additional maintenance on the drain pipe.

Energy efficiency

A tumble dryer's heat-pump can help you save money on your energy costs. The technology uses less power to heat the air inside the tumble dryer. This enables it to dry clothes more efficiently and at lower temperatures than vented models.

The dryers also make use of cooling fluid to reduce the air's humidity, which is then ejected through the condenser. This means they use less energy than traditional vented models. They may take a little longer to finish your cycle of laundry than vented dryers but your clothes will be looking and more comfortable longer due to the lower temperatures for drying.

They can cost anywhere from $500-$700 upfront, but the energy savings will cover this. They also cost more and require adequate ventilation.

Gas Safe engineers are required to install tumble dryers similar to any other electrical appliance. A vented dryer needs a long, flexible vent hose that is permanently connected the appliance at one end and a drainage hole at the other end - the drain or window. This hose cannot be shared or used in a way that could cause damage to it.

Condenser dryers work in a similar way as heat pump dryers. They use an electrical element to heat the air and then expel the moisture via a condensation tray. They're usually heavy-duty dryers with higher wet load capacities, ranging from 6kg to 10kg. They also run more quietly. However, they're more expensive than heat pump tumble dryers and aren't suitable for installations without an ongoing connection to the wall. They're also more expensive to run than heat pump dryers since they require lots of heat to remove the moisture from your laundry. They also aren't as efficient as vented models. They still require electricity to turn the motor which rotates your clothes.

Noise

The noise generated by tumble dryers is quite loud, however the volume depends on several variables. The decibel rating is just one of them, but the frequency of the noise can influence the volume at which it is. The sound can be amplified by resonant objects in the vicinity, such as work surfaces, cabinets or furniture, and may be affected by the room's acoustics. The sound produced by your tumble dryer may be obstructed by carpets or another absorbent materials for acoustics.

Heat pump and condenser models are quieter than vented dryers, however, they're still noisy. They're gentler on your fabrics, and dry your laundry faster due to lower temperatures and a longer time than traditional models. They are less damaging to clothing and less likely to cause color loss, which is often associated with tumble dryers of the past that make use of high temperatures.

It's important to remember that if you plan to utilize your tumbler dryer mostly alongside a washer both appliances must be placed near each other to prevent vibrations or noises when operating. A stacking kit is available to prevent this problem, and is available for both kinds of appliances.

They require an ongoing flow of air to work, therefore they should be set up in a location which is well ventilated within your home. You'll need to make sure that the vent hose is permanently connected to the appliance and that it's securely routed outside your home instead of being redirecting it through a door or window.

The condenser dryer does not require a permanent connection to an exhaust vent, and Heat pump tumble dryers it can be placed anywhere in your house. It collects the vapour and any water left in containers that can be manually empty, or connected to a drain using an drainage pipe that will automatically empty it.

Converting a vented tumble-dryer to a condenser dryer is possible by using a conversion kit. However, this could end the warranty provided by the manufacturer and should only by performed by a trained professional. The kits contain the components required to set up an air vent as well as a small water pump to eliminate the condensation, therefore they're not cheap.

Maintenance

Heat pump tumble dryers work differently from vented or condenser machines as they don't require venting outside in order to extract hot air. The warm air that passes through your clothes is captured and then pumped through a condenser that is used to separate the heated water from the air. It is then disposed in a water reservoir (sometimes called a tank) inside the appliance. It is necessary empty the tank eventually, but you can keep the dryer in the same location like if you had a vent.

The heat pump model is approximately 50% more energy efficient than vented models. This makes it much cheaper to run, saving you PS42-PS51 a year on average according to Which? and it's also much more sustainable for the environment. That said, it's not an inexpensive tumble dryer to buy, and you should make sure you can afford the upfront costs.

In general the tumble dryer with a heat pump requires 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 of condensation often and it can take longer than a vented tumbler to dry your clothes.

Consider a sensor-controlled tumble dryer with heat pump dryer when you're looking to buy a low-cost model. The sensor will stop the machine immediately when your laundry is finished, preventing over-drying and damaging your clothes. However, you'll have to program the drying cycle and this can be a challenge when you have a lot of different clothes in your wardrobe.

You can choose from a variety of tumble dryers from brands like Beko and John Lewis that use heat pumps, condenser or vented technologies. They all come with a two-year warranty and John Lewis has excellent customer reviews and free delivery to homes. You should always check the warranty information carefully before you purchase an appliance, particularly an electrical one such as a tumbler, to make sure you're covered in the event of breakdowns or faults.