Heat Pump Tumble Dryers

Heat pump tumble dryers recycle hot air used to dry your clothes instead of venting it outdoors. This conserves energy, making it a cost-effective option for your household.

John Lewis offers a wide variety of tumble dryers. They include vented and heat pump models. Learn more about the options in our guide to tumble dryers.

Cost

Tumble dryers are great for making it less necessary to hang laundry in the sun and for Tumble Dryers With heat pump 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, it may be worth looking into the use of a heat pump tumbler. While these machines do have a higher upfront cost, they can save you money in the long run due to their lower energy consumption.

They work by heating the air that was already warmed up during the drying process, which results in significantly lower energy bills than condenser models vented or vented. This type of tumble dryer typically consumes up to half as much energy as a vented or condenser model, and as such could save you up to PS173 per year on your utility bills.

When you compare the cost of a pump tumble dryer versus other models, the difference is usually negligible. However, it's important to consider the amount of energy that is being used and how frequently you'll use your tumble dryer. You will need to consider the wattage and your electricity bill when calculating the amount each tumble dryer will cost you.

Vented tumble dryers can be more expensive when you're on a tight budget. They utilize gas to dry your laundry, and they're powered by mains-gas. The installation options are limited as they must be installed in a space with enough ventilation to the humid air.

Condenser dryers remove the moisture from your laundry by transferring hot, humid air into an additional unit where it is converted to water. This water is then drained away either into a removable container that needs to be manually empty or be plugged into your drainage system for continuous removal. This gives you more flexibility when it comes to installation places, but you'll need to prepare for any additional maintenance by ensuring the drain pipe is in good condition.

Energy efficiency

If you're concerned about your energy costs, a tumbler heat pump can offer significant savings. The technology uses less energy to heat pump tumble dryer uk the air inside the tumble dryer. This lets it dry clothes more efficiently and at lower temperatures than vented models.

The dryers also make use of cooling fluid to reduce the humidity in the air and then discharge it through the condenser. This means that they use less energy than traditional vented dryers. Dryers may take a little longer to finish your laundry cycle than vented models, but the clothes will appear and feel better for longer due to the lower temperatures.

Typically they'll cost between $500 and $700 more upfront than condenser dryers, but the extra cost is offset by the savings you'll make on your energy costs in the long haul. They're also a larger investment and must be put in rooms that have adequate ventilation.

As with all electrical appliances, it's vital that any tumble dryer installation is completed by a Gas Safe engineer. A vented dryer needs a long, flexible vent hose that is permanently connected to the appliance at one end, and a drainage point at the other - the drain, window or door. The hose can't be shared or used in a way that could cause damage.

Condenser dryers function in a similar way to heat pump dryers. They employ an electrical element to warm the air before releasing the moisture through a condensation tray. They tend to be heavy-duty performers with larger capacities for wet loads that range between 6 and 10kg. They also are quieter to operate. They're more expensive to purchase than heat pump tumble driers and aren't able to be mounted without a permanent wall connection. The cost of running them is higher than heat pump dryers as they have to generate more heat to evaporate the moisture from your laundry. They're less efficient than vented models. They still require electricity to turn the motor which turns your clothes.

Noise

The sound generated by tumble dryers with heat pump dryers is quite loud, however the volume depends on several factors. The decibel rating will only be one of the many variables. The frequency of the sound can also impact how loud it sounds. The sound may be amplified by nearby resonant objects such as work surfaces, cabinets or Tumble dryers with Heat pump furniture, and could be affected by the acoustics of the room. The sound produced by your tumble dryer could be obstructed by carpets or another acoustic absorbent material.

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're more gentle on your fabrics, and dry your laundry more slowly with lower temperatures and a longer cycle than traditional models. 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 primarily in conjunction with washing machines it's important to remember that the two appliances must be located close each other to prevent vibrations and noise during operation. To avoid this problem, the washer and dryer stacking set is available for both kinds of appliances.

A tumble dryer that is a heat pump requires an ongoing flow of air in order to operate, so it is best heat pump tumble dryer to place it in a well-ventilated space in your home. You'll need to make sure that the vent hose is permanently connected to the appliance and securely routed out of your home instead of being redirected through a window or door.

Condenser tumble dryer in contrast isn't requiring the permanent connection to a vent, and can be put in any place in your home. It stores the water and vapour left over in containers that can be manually emptied, or connected to a drain using a drainage pipe which will automatically empty it.

It's possible to turn a vented tumbler into a condenser model with an conversion kit, however it will void the manufacturer's warranty and should only be carried out by a trained professional. The kits come with the components required to install an air vent as well as a small water pump to eliminate the condensation, which is why they're not inexpensive.

Maintenance

A tumbler with a heat pump works differently to vented or condenser models as it doesn't require venting outside to remove the hot air. The warm air that is blown over your clothes is collected and then run through a condenser, which separates the water from the heated air. Then, it is recirculated in a water reservoir (sometimes called a tank) inside the appliance. It is necessary empty the tank at some point however, you can keep the dryer in the same space as if you have vents.

Comparatively to vented models, the heat pump model consumes around 50 percent less energy. According to Which?, it is also more economical to run. It can save you between PS42 and PS51 per year. That said, it's not a cheap tumble dryer to buy and you must make sure you can afford the upfront costs.

In general, a tumble dryer with a heat pump requires minimal maintenance, other than cleaning the lint filter and looking for any fluff around the heating unit now and again. You'll need to clean your condensation drain more often and it takes longer to dry clothes than vented dryers.

Look into a sensor-controlled tumbler if you're looking for a low-cost model. This will stop the machine when your laundry is finished, preventing over-drying and damaging your clothes. You'll have to manually program your dryer's drying cycle if you have a lot of different clothes.

There is a variety of tumble dryers from brands such as Beko and John Lewis which use condenser, heat pumps or vented technology. All come with a two-year warranty, and John Lewis has excellent customer reviews as well as free home delivery. Be sure to read the warranty terms prior to buying an appliance, especially one that is electrical, such as a tumble dryer. This will ensure that you are protected in the event of a malfunction or breakdown.