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 saves energy.

John Lewis has a range of tumble dryers that include both vented and condenser models as well as heat pump tumble dryers. Find out more about them in our guide to tumble dryers.

Cost

Tumble dryers are excellent for reducing the need to hang laundry in the sun and for saving space for storage, but they also often consume lots of energy. If you're looking to cut down on your energy bills you might consider switching to a heating-pump tumble dryer. These machines are more expensive initially, but they can save you money over time because of their lower energy consumption.

The heat pump tumble dryers function by reheating the air that was already heated during the drying process and results in lower energy costs than vented or condenser models. This type of tumble dryer typically uses approximately half the electricity as a vented or condenser model, and as such could save you up to PS173 per year on your utility bills.

When comparing the performance of heat tumble dryers with pumps versus other types, there is typically a minimal cost difference. But, it's important to keep in mind the amount of energy is being used and the frequency you'll be using your tumble dryer. You'll need to take into consideration the wattage of your appliance and your electricity tariff when calculating how much each tumbler will cost.

Vented tumble dryers make use of gas to dry laundry and are powered by gas mains and are therefore more expensive when you're on a strict budget. They are also more limited in their installation locations because they need to be placed in a space that has adequate ventilation to get rid of the damp air.

Condenser dryers take moisture out of the laundry by transferring hot air into an additional condensing unit which is then converted into water. The water is then drained away either into a container that must be emptied manually or be plumbed into your drainage system for continuous removal. This allows you to install the system in a variety of locations. However, you'll be required to perform additional maintenance on the drain pipe.

Energy efficiency

If you're concerned about your energy bills, a tumble dryer heat pump can provide significant savings. The technology requires less power to heat the air inside the tumble dryer. This enables 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 then releases it through the condenser, meaning they require less electricity to run than traditional vented dryers. They might take a bit longer to finish your laundry cycle than vented dryers, but your clothes will stay looking and feeling better longer due to the lower drying 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 gain on your energy costs in the long run. They are also more expensive and require adequate ventilation.

As with all electrical appliances, it's crucial that any tumble dryer installation is carried out by a Gas Safe engineer. Ventilated dryers require an extended, flexible vent hose that's permanently connected to the appliance at one end, and an outlet point - whether a drain or a door washer dryer heat pump - at the other. This hose cannot be shared or used in a way that could damage it.

Condenser dryers work similarly as heat pump dryers. They use an electrical element to warm the air before releasing the moisture via the condensation tray. They are usually heavy-duty dryers, with greater wet load capacities, ranging between 6 and 10 kg. They also run more quietly. They are more expensive to purchase than tumble dryers with heat pump dryers with heat pumps and they can't be installed without an ongoing wall connection. The cost of running them is also higher than heat pump dryers, as they have to generate more heat to evaporate the moisture in your laundry. They're less efficient than vented models. They still require electricity to turn the motor that rotates your laundry.

Noise

Tumble dryers generate lots of noise however, the level of loudness is dependent on a variety of factors. The decibel rating is only one of them, and the frequency of the noise can affect how loud it sounds. The sound may be amplified if there are any resonant objects in the vicinity, such as cabinets, work surfaces, or furniture. It can also be affected by the room's acoustics. The sound from the tumble dryer may be slowed by acoustic absorbent fabrics like carpets, or be drowned out by other appliances that are operating in your home.

Heat pump and condenser models are quieter than vented dryers however they're still loud. They are gentler on fabrics, drying your laundry faster due to lower air temperatures and a longer cycle than traditional models. This means they're less damaging to your clothes and are less likely to cause the loss of colour that's often associated with high temperatures, old fashioned tumble dryers.

It's important to remember that when you intend to use your tumbler dryer in conjunction with a washer dryer heat pump machine both appliances must be placed near each other in order to prevent vibrations or noises when operating. To avoid this issue there is a washer and dryer stacking set is available for both types of appliances.

A heat pump tumble dryer needs to have an ongoing flow of air in order to function, therefore it's best to put 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 it's safely positioned out of your home, rather than redirecting it through a window or door.

The condenser dryer isn't require permanent connections to vents, and can be placed wherever in your house. It collects the water and vapour left over in a container that can be manually empty, or connected to a drain via the drainage pipe, which will automatically empty it.

It is possible to convert a vented tumbler into a condenser model with a conversion kit, but this will invalidate the manufacturer warranty and should only be done by a trained professional. These kits include the parts required to set up an air vent as well as a small water pump to eliminate the condensation, which is why they're not inexpensive.

Maintenance

The heat pump tumble dryers operate differently than condenser or vented machines because they don't need external venting in order to extract hot air. Instead the warm air that flows through your clothes is extracted and collected inside the appliance and then pushed through a condenser that separates the water from the hot air and then store it in a tank (sometimes called a reservoir) inside the machine. This means that you'll need to empty the water tank at some time however it also allows you to keep the dryer in less space than if you needed to install a vent for the machine.

The heat pump model is about 50 percent more efficient than vented models. 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 afford the upfront costs.

In general the tumble dryer that is powered by a heat pump needs little maintenance other than clearing the lint filter and washer dryer heat pump looking for any fluff around the heating unit each time. However, you will need to clean the drain for condensation regularly and it will take longer than a vented tumbler to dry your clothes.

Look into a sensor-controlled tumbler If you're looking for a low-cost model. The sensor will stop the machine automatically when the laundry is done by preventing excessive drying and harm to your clothes. But, you'll have to manually program the drying cycle and this can be a hassle when you have a lot of different fabrics in your wardrobe.

Brands such as Beko and John Lewis offer tumble dryers that use heat pump, condenser, or vented technology. John Lewis offers a free home delivery and a two-year guarantee. Check the warranty details before purchasing an appliance, particularly one that is electrical like a tumble dryer. This will ensure that you are covered in the event of a problem or breakdown.