Heat Pump Tumble Dryers

Heat pump tumble dryers reuse the hot air that they use to dry your clothes, rather than venting it outside. This helps save energy, making it a cost-effective option for your household.

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

Cost

Tumble dryers can be ideal for reducing space and decreasing the need to dry laundry in the sunlight however they can use a lot of electricity. If you want to reduce your energy consumption and save money, consider switching to a heat-pump tumble dryer. While these machines do have a higher initial cost, they'll save you money in the end because of their lower energy consumption.

The heat pump tumble dryers operate on the principle of reheating air that was already warmed up during the drying process. This results in lower energy bills than vented or condensation models. This kind of tumble dryer uses half the electricity as vented or condenser models, which can save you up to PS173 on your utility bills each year.

When you compare the cost of a heat pump tumble dryer against other types, the difference is usually negligible. It is important to consider the amount of energy consumed and the frequency you use your tumble dryer. You'll need to take into consideration the wattage of your appliance and your electricity bill in determining how much each tumble dryer will cost you.

Vented tumble dryers use gas to dry laundry and are powered by mains gas and are therefore a more expensive option for those on a tight budget. They are also more limited in their installation locations because they must be located in a space that has adequate ventilation to get rid of the damp air.

Condenser dryers remove moisture from the laundry by moving hot air into a separate condensing unit, where it's converted to water. This water is then drained away, either into a removable container that needs to be manually emptied or can be plumbed into your drainage system for continuous removal. This gives you more flexibility with install areas, however you will need to be prepared for any additional maintenance by ensuring the drain pipe is in good condition.

Energy efficiency

A tumble dryer heat-pump can help you save money on energy bills. The technology requires less power to heat the air in the tumble dryer, which enables it to dry your clothes more effectively and at lower temperatures than vented models.

They also employ a cooling agent that liquifies the air's humidity and ejects it through the condenser, meaning they use less power to run than traditional vented models. The dryers may take a little longer to complete your laundry cycle compared to vented models, but your clothes will feel and look better for longer due to the lower temperatures.

Typically, they cost between $500 and $700 more up front than condenser dryers but this extra expense is easily offset by the savings you'll earn on your energy costs over the long term. They're also a heavier investment and must be installed in rooms with adequate ventilation.

Gas Safe engineers are required to install tumble dryers similar to any other electrical appliance. A vented dryer requires an extended flexible vent hose that's permanently connected to your appliance at one end and the drainage point - which could be the drain or a door or window - at the other. The hose can't be shared or used in a way that could damage it.

Condenser dryers operate in a similar way similar to heat pump dryers. They utilize an electrical element to heat the air and then expel the moisture via the condensation tray. They're usually heavy-duty dryers that have higher capacity for wet loads, ranging between 6 and 10 kg. They also operate more quietly. However, they're more costly than heat pump tumble dryers to buy and aren't suited for installations that don't have a permanent connection to the wall. They're also more expensive to operate than heat pump dryers since they require plenty of heat to remove the water from your laundry. They also are not as efficient as vented models. However, they use a fair amount of electricity when they turn the motor that rotates your laundry.

Noise

The sound produced by tumble dryers is quite loud, however the volume depends on several factors. The decibel rating is only one of them, cheap heat pump tumble Dryer but the frequency of the noise can affect how loud it sounds. The sound can be amplified by resonant objects in the vicinity, such as work surfaces, cabinets or furniture, and may be affected by the acoustics of the room. The sound from your tumble dryer may be obstructed by carpets or other absorption materials.

Condenser and heat pump tumble dryers are quieter than vented models, however it's important to keep in mind that they're still noisy. They are gentler on fabrics and dry your laundry more slowly because of lower temperatures. They also have a longer cycle. This means that they're less damaging to your clothes and are less likely to cause loss of colour that's often associated with high temperatures old-fashioned tumble dryers.

If you plan to use your tumble dryer primarily together with washing machines it is important to remember that the two appliances must be placed close to each other in order to avoid vibrations and noise during operation. A stacking kit is available to help prevent this problem, and can be bought for all types of appliances.

A tumble dryer that is a heat pump requires an uninterrupted flow of air to function, which is why it's best placed in a ventilated area of your home. The vent hose should be connected permanently to the appliance, and then routed safely outside your home.

The condenser dryer does not need to be permanently connected to vents, and can be put anywhere in your home. It collects the vapour left behind and water in a container that is either manually emptied or connected to a drain via a drainage tube which will automatically empty it.

It is possible to transform a vented tumble dryer into a condenser model using the conversion kit, but this could void the manufacturer's warranty and must be performed by a qualified professional. These kits include the parts required to install a vent and a small water pump to eliminate the condensation, so they're not inexpensive.

Maintenance

Heat pump tumble dryers work differently from condenser or vented machines because they don't require venting outside in order to extract hot air. The warm air that flows over your clothes is absorbed and then pumped through a condenser, which is used to separate the water from the heated air. Then, it is recirculated in a reservoir of water (sometimes called a tank) within the appliance. This means you'll have to empty the tank at some point, but it also allows you to store the dryer in less space than if you had to install a vent in the dryer.

In comparison to vented models the heat pump model consumes around 50% less energy. This makes it more affordable to run, allowing you to save PS42-PS51 a year on average according to Which?, and it's also much better for the environment. It's not Cheap heat pump tumble dryer to purchase a tumble dryer, so you must be able to afford the upfront costs.

In general the tumble dryer with a heat pump requires little maintenance other than clearing the lint filter and checking for any dust particles around the heater unit every now and then. However, you need to clean the condensation drain frequently and it will take longer than a vented dryer to dry your clothes.

If you're in the market for a low-cost tumble dryer you might want to taking a look at an automatic model that ends when laundry is done to prevent drying too long, which can cause damage to your clothes. But, you'll have to programme the drying cycle and this can be a hassle when you have a lot of different fabrics in your wardrobe.

There is a variety of tumble dryers from brands like Beko and John Lewis that utilize condenser, heat pump or vented technologies. All models come with a 2-year warranty, and John Lewis has excellent customer reviews and free home delivery. You should always check the warranty details thoroughly before you purchase an appliance, especially an electrical one like a tumble dryer, to ensure that you're covered in the event of faults or breakdowns.