Heat Pump Tumble Dryers

The tumble dryers that use heat pumps make use of hot air to dry your clothing, instead of letting it out into the outdoors. This is a low-cost option for your household as it helps conserve energy.

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

Cost

Tumble dryers can be great for saving space and decreasing the need to dry laundry in the sunlight however they can use a lot of electricity. If you are looking to cut down on your energy bills it might be worth considering switching to the use of a heat pump tumbler. Although these machines have a higher initial cost, they will save you money over the long term because of their lower energy consumption.

Heat pump tumble dryers work on the principle of heating the air that was warmed up during the drying process. This results in significantly lower energy costs than condenser or vented models. This type of tumble dryer typically uses approximately half the energy as a vented or condenser model, machines and could save you up to PS173 per year on your energy bills.

When comparing heat pump washer dryer pump tumble dryers to other types, there is usually a negligible price difference. But, it's important to keep in mind the amount of energy is being used and how frequently you'll be using your tumble dryer. It is important to consider the wattage as well as your electricity bill in determining how much each tumble dryer will cost.

Vented tumble dryers use gas to dry the laundry and are powered by gas from the mains which means they are an expensive option when you're on a strict budget. They are also less flexible in their installation locations because they need to be placed in a space that has adequate ventilation to expel the damp air.

Condenser dryers take the moisture from your laundry by moving hot humid air to an additional unit where it is transformed into water. The water is then drained away, in a container that is removable that needs to be manually emptied or can be plugged into your drainage system to ensure continuous removal. This will allow for greater flexibility in the installation locations, but you will have to be prepared for additional maintenance by making sure the drain pipe is in good shape.

Energy efficiency

If you're concerned about your energy bills, a tumble dryer heat pump could provide substantial savings. The technology requires less electricity to warm the air inside the tumble dryer, allowing it to dry your clothes more effectively and at lower temperatures than vented models.

The dryers also utilize cooling fluid to reduce the air's humidity and then discharge it through the condenser. This means they consume less power than traditional vented models. They may take longer to finish your laundry cycle than vented dryers, but your clothes will stay looking and more comfortable for longer due to the lower drying temperatures.

Typically they'll cost between $500 and $700 more up front than condenser dryers. However, this additional cost is offset by the savings you'll gain on your energy bills over the long haul. They're also more expensive and must be put in rooms with adequate ventilation.

As with all electrical appliances, it's essential that any installation of a tumbler is completed by an Gas Safe engineer. Ventilated dryers require an elongated, flexible vent hose permanently connected to the appliance at one end, and a drainage point at the other - the drain, window or door. This hose must be properly secured in place and shouldn't be shared with other appliance or used in any manner that could lead to its deterioration.

Like heat pump dryers, a condenser works by heating the air using an electrical element and then expels the moisture via a condensation tray. They're usually heavy-duty dryers that have higher capacity for wet loads, which range from 6kg to 10kg. They also run more quietly. However, they're more costly than heat pump tumble dryers to buy and aren't appropriate for installations that do not have a permanent connection to the wall. They're also more expensive to run than heat pump dryers since they require plenty of heat to remove the moisture from your laundry, and aren't as efficient as vented models. They still require electricity to turn the motor which rotates your clothes.

Noise

Tumble dryers produce plenty of noise, but how loud they are depends on a number of variables. The decibel rating will only be one of many factors. The frequency of the sound can also impact the volume at which it sounds. The sound can be amplified if there are resonant objects nearby, such as cabinets, work surfaces or furniture. It could also be affected by the room's acoustics. The sound of the tumble dryer can be dampened by acoustic absorbent material like carpets, or be drowned out by other appliances operating within your home.

Heat pump and condenser tumble dryers are quieter than vented models, but it's worth bearing in mind that they're still loud. They are more gentle on your clothes and dry your laundry slower with lower air temperatures. They also have a longer cycle. This means that they're less damaging to your clothes and are less likely to cause the loss of colour that's often associated with high temperature, old fashioned tumble dryers.

It is crucial to keep in mind when you intend to utilize your tumbler dryer mostly together with a washer machine, the two appliances should be placed near to each other in order to minimize noises or vibrations during operation. A washer and dryer stacking kit is available to help solve this issue. It can be purchased for all types 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. The vent hose needs to be permanently connected to the appliance and positioned securely outside of your home.

The condenser dryer isn't need to be permanently connected to an exhaust vent, and it can be placed anywhere in your house. It collects the vapour left behind and water in a condensation container that can be manually empty or connected to a drain by an drainage tube, which will automatically empty it.

It is possible to convert an unventilated tumble dryer into a condenser model by using the conversion kit, but this will invalidate the manufacturer warranty and should only be done by a qualified professional. The kits include components needed to put in vents, aswell an in-built pump to eliminate condensation.

Maintenance

A tumbler with a heat pump is different from vented or condenser models as it doesn't require venting externally to extract the hot air. Instead, the warm air that flows through your clothes is collected and absorbed inside the appliance and then it is pushed through a condenser to separate the water from the hot air and collect it in a tank (sometimes called a reservoir) inside the machine. You will have to empty the water tank at some point, but you can keep the dryer in the same space like if you had vents.

Compared to vented models, the heat pump model uses around 50 percent less energy. According to Which? it is also less expensive to run. You can save between PS42 and PS51 per year. It's not cheap to buy tumble dryers, so you should be able to pay for the initial costs.

In general, a tumble dryer with a heat pump requires little maintenance other than clearing the lint filter, and checking for fluff around the heater unit every now and then. You'll need to clean your drains for condensation more frequently and it takes longer to dry clothes than vented dryers.

Look into a sensor-controlled tumbler If you're looking for an affordable model. This will stop the machine immediately when your laundry is finished, preventing over-drying and damaging your clothes. You will need to manually programme your dryer's drying process in case you have a lot of different fabrics.

Brands like Beko and John Lewis offer tumble dryers that use 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. Always check the warranty details carefully prior to purchasing any appliance, particularly an electrical appliance such as a tumbler, to ensure that you're covered in the event of faults or breakdowns.