Heat Pump Tumble Dryers

The tumble dryers of a heat pump recycle the hot air that they use to dry your clothes, instead of venting it to the outside. This is a low-cost option for your household, as it conserves energy.

John Lewis has a range of tumble dryers, including condenser and vented models as well as heat pump Tumble dryers heat dryers. Learn more about the options in our guide to tumble dryers.

Cost

Tumble dryers can be useful for reducing space and decreasing the need to dry laundry in the sunlight however they can consume a lot of energy. When looking to reduce your energy costs you might want to trying the use of a heat pump tumbler. While these machines do have a higher initial cost, they will save you money in the long run due to their lower energy consumption.

Heat pump tumble dryers work by reheating air that was already warmed up during the drying process. This results in significantly lower energy bills than vented or condensation models. This type of tumble dryer consumes less electricity than vented or condenser models, saving you up to PS173 on your monthly utility bills.

When comparing heat tumble dryers with pumps versus other types, there's typically a minimal cost difference. It is important to consider the amount of energy used and how often you use your tumble dryer. It is important to consider the wattage of your appliance and your electricity bill when calculating how much each tumbler will cost.

Vented tumble dryers use gas to dry laundry and are powered by gas from the mains which means they are an expensive option if you're on a tight budget. They are also more limited in their installation locations because they need to be placed in a room with appropriate ventilation to expel the humid air.

Condenser dryers take the moisture from your laundry by moving hot, humid air into a separate unit which is then converted into water. This water is then drained away, either into a removable container that must be manually empty or be plumbed into your drainage system to ensure continuous removal. This gives you more flexibility with install locations, but you will need to prepare for any additional maintenance by ensuring the drain pipe is in good shape.

Energy efficiency

If you're worried about your energy bills, a tumble dryer heat pump can provide significant savings. The technology requires less energy to heat the air inside the tumble dryer. This enables it to dry clothes more efficiently and at lower temperatures than vented models.

They also utilize a coolant that liquifies the air's humidity and ejects it through the condenser, meaning they require less electricity to run than traditional vented models. The dryers may take a little longer to finish your laundry cycle compared to vented models, but the clothes will appear and feel better for longer due to the lower temperatures.

They'll cost you an additional $500 to $700 up front, but the energy savings will cover this. They are also more expensive and require adequate ventilation.

Gas Safe engineers are required to install tumble dryers similar to any other electrical appliance. Ventilated dryers require a long, flexible vent hose that is permanently connected the appliance at one end and a drainage hole at the other - the drain, window or Tumble Dryers Heat door. This hose must be properly secured and can't be shared with another appliance or used in any manner that could lead to its deterioration.

Condenser dryers function in a similar way as heat pump dryers. They employ an electrical element to warm the air and then expel the moisture through a condensation tray. They tend to be heavy-duty performers, with larger wet load capacities ranging from 6kg to 10kg and are more quiet to operate. They are more expensive to purchase than tumble dryers that use heat pumps and they can't be installed without a permanent wall connection. They're also more expensive to run than heat pump dryers as they need to generate lots of heat to remove the moisture from your laundry. Additionally, they aren't as efficient as vented models. However, they do still require a significant amount of electricity as they turn the motor that rotates your laundry.

Noise

The sound produced by tumble dryers can be quite loud, Tumble Dryers Heat but the volume depends on several variables. The decibel rating is just one of them, and the frequency of the noise can influence the volume at which it sounds. The sound can also be amplified by resonant objects in the vicinity, such as cabinets, work surfaces or furniture, and may be affected by the acoustics of the room. The sound of the tumble dryer could be dampened by acoustic absorbent material like carpets, or be drowned out by other appliances operating within your home.

Condenser and heat pump 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 faster due to lower temperatures of air. They also have longer cycles. They are less damaging to clothes and less likely to cause colour loss which is usually associated with tumble dryers of the past which use high temperatures.

If you're planning to use your tumble dryer primarily in conjunction with washing machine it is crucial to remember that both appliances need to be placed in close proximity to each other in order to avoid the noise and vibrations that occur during operation. A stacking washer and dryer kit is available to help prevent this problem, and can be bought for both types of appliances.

A tumbler with a heat pump needs to have an ongoing flow of air in order to function, therefore it's best placed in a ventilated area of your home. You'll need to ensure that the vent hose is permanently connected to the appliance and that it's safely positioned outside of your house, rather than redirected through a window or door.

The condenser tumbler, in contrast isn't requiring the permanent connection to a vent and can be put in any place in your home. It collects the water and vapour left over in containers that can be manually empty, 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 a conversion kit. However, this will end the manufacturer's warranty and should only by done by a qualified professional. The kits come with components needed to put in a vent, as well with a small pump to eliminate condensation.

Maintenance

A heat pump tumble dryer differs from vented or condenser models as it doesn't require venting externally to remove the hot air. Instead the warm air that passes through your clothes is extracted and collected inside the appliance and then pushed through a condenser to separate the hot water from the cold air and store it in a tank (sometimes called a reservoir) inside the machine. You will have to empty the water tank eventually however, you can keep the dryer in the same place as if you have a vent.

The heat pump model is approximately 50 percent more energy efficient than vented models. According to Which?, it is also cheaper to run. You can save between PS42 and PS51 per year. It's not cheap to purchase tumble dryers, so you must be able to pay for the initial cost.

In general, a heat pump tumble dryer needs only minimal maintenance, besides clearing the lint filter, and checking for fluff around the heater unit each time. However, you need to clean the drain for condensation regularly and it will take longer than a vented dryer to dry your clothes.

Think about a sensor-controlled tumbler If you're looking for an affordable model. This will stop the machine automatically when the laundry is done by preventing excessive drying and harm to your clothes. But, you'll have to program the drying cycle, and this can be a hassle in the event that you have many different fabrics in your wardrobe.

Brands like Beko and John Lewis offer tumble dryers that use condenser, heat pump, or vented technology. John Lewis offers a free home delivery and a 2-year warranty. It is important to read the warranty details thoroughly prior to purchasing any appliance, particularly an electrical one such as a tumbler, to ensure you're covered in case of breakdowns or faults.