Heat Pump Tumble Dryers
Heat pump tumble dryers recycle the hot air that they use to dry your clothes, instead of venting it out. This conserves energy, making it a cost-efficient option for your household.
John Lewis has a range of tumble dryers, including both vented and condenser models, as well as heat pump tumble dryers. Learn more about tumble dryers in our detailed guide.
Cost
Tumble dryers are fantastic for eliminating the need to hang laundry outside in the sun, and also for saving space when it comes to storage, but they also often consume a lot of energy. If you’re looking to lower your energy costs and save money, consider switching to a heating-pump tumble dryer. Although these machines have a higher upfront cost, they will save you money in the long run thanks to their lower energy consumption.
Heat pump tumble dryers work by heating the air that has already warmed during the drying cycle which results in lower energy bills than condenser or vented models. This type of tumble dryer typically uses up to half as much electricity 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 heat pump tumble dryers heat pump vs condenser dryer with other types, the difference is usually not significant. But, it’s important to keep in mind the amount of energy that is being used and how often you’ll use your tumble dryer. You’ll need to factor in the wattage of the dryer and also your electricity bill which will determine the amount you pay for each tumble dryer.
Vented tumble dryers use gas to dry the laundry and are powered by gas mains which means they are more expensive if you’re on a tight budget. They also have a smaller range in the places they can be installed since they require an area with adequate ventilation to expel the humid air.
Condenser dryers eliminate the moisture from your laundry by moving hot humid air into an additional unit which is then converted into water. The water is then drained away in a container that is removable that needs to be emptied manually or be plugged into your drainage system to ensure continuous removal. This allows for greater flexibility with install areas, however you will need to prepare for any additional maintenance by ensuring that the drain pipe is in good condition.
Energy efficiency
A tumble dryer heat-pump can help you save money on energy costs. The technology requires less power to heat the air in the tumble dryer, allowing it to dry your clothes more efficiently and at a lower temperature than vented models.
The dryers heat pump also use cooling fluid to reduce the humidity in the air and then discharge it through the condenser. This means they consume less electricity than the traditional vented models. The dryers may take a bit longer to finish your laundry cycle as compared to vented models, however the clothes will feel and look 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 gain on your energy bills over the long term. They’re also a larger investment and must be installed in rooms that have adequate ventilation.
Like all electrical appliances, it’s vital that the installation of a tumble dryer is carried out by a Gas Safe engineer. Ventilated dryers require a long flexible vent hose that’s permanently connected to the appliance at one end, and a drainage point – either the drain or a door – at the other. The hose can’t be shared or used in a manner that could cause damage to it.
As with heat pump dryers, a condenser is a type of dryer that heats the air by using an electrical element before dispersing the moisture using the condensation tray. They tend to be heavier-duty performers, with larger wet load capacities ranging from 6kg to 10kg, and are more quiet to operate. They’re more expensive to purchase than tumble dryers that use heat pumps and they can’t be installed without an permanent wall connection. They’re also more expensive to run than heat pump dryers because they need to generate a lot of heat to evaporate the water from your laundry. Additionally, they aren’t as efficient as vented models. They still rely on electricity to turn the motor which rotates your clothes.
Noise
The noise generated by tumble dryers can be quite loud, however the volume is influenced by a variety of factors. The decibel rating can only be one factor. The frequency of the sound will also influence how loud it sounds. The sound can be amplified in the event that there are resonant objects nearby such as work surfaces, cabinets or furniture. It may also be affected by a room’s acoustics. The sound of the tumble dryer may be slowed by acoustic absorbent fabrics like carpets, or be drowned out by other appliances within your home.
Heat pump and condenser models are quieter than vented dryers but they are still noisy. They are gentler on your fabrics, and dry your laundry more slowly with lower temperatures of air and dryers heat Pump a longer cycle than traditional models. This means they’re less damaging to your clothes and are less likely to cause loss of color that is often caused by high temperatures old-fashioned tumble dryers.
It is important to keep in mind that when you intend to utilize your tumbler dryer mostly with a washer machine, the two appliances should be placed near each other in order to avoid noises or vibrations when operating. A stacking kit is available to help solve this issue. It can be bought for both types of appliances.
A tumble dryer that is a heat pump requires a continuous flow of air to function, therefore it’s best placed in a ventilated area of your home. The vent hose needs to be connected permanently to the appliance, and positioned securely outside your home.
The condenser tumble dryer, in contrast isn’t requiring the permanent connection to a vent and can be installed anywhere in your home. It stores the vapour and water leftover in a container that is manually empty, or connected to a drain via the drainage pipe, which will automatically empty it.
It is possible to convert a vented tumble dryer into a condenser model using the conversion kit, but this could void the manufacturer’s warranty and should only be done by a qualified professional. The kits come with parts to install vents, as well an in-built pump to eliminate condensation.
Maintenance
A tumble dryer with a heat pump differs from vented or condenser models as it doesn’t require venting outside to draw out the hot air. Instead, the warm air that passes through your clothes is collected and absorbed inside the appliance, Dryers heat pump which then runs it through a condenser to separate the hot water from the cool air and then store it in a tank (sometimes called a reservoir) inside the machine. This means you will need to empty the water tank at some point, but it also allows you to store the dryer in a smaller space than if you were to put in a vent for the machine.
The heat pump model is about 50 percent more energy efficient than vented models. This makes it much cheaper to run, saving you an average of PS42-PS51 each year according to Which? and it’s also much better for the environment. That said, it’s not a cheap heat pump tumble dryer tumble dryer to buy and you must make sure you can afford the initial costs.
In general, a tumble dryer with a heat pump requires only minimal maintenance, besides clearing the lint filter and looking for any fluff around the heating unit now and again. However, you need to clean the drain for condensation often and it can take longer than a vented tumble dryer to dry your clothes.
If you’re looking for a tumble dryer that isn’t expensive, it might be worth looking into an automatic model that ends when laundry is finished to avoid over-drying that can damage your clothes. You’ll have to manually program your dryer’s drying cycle if you have a lot of different types of fabrics.
Brands such as Beko and John Lewis provide tumble dryers that use condenser, heat pump, or vented technology. All come with a two-year warranty and John Lewis has excellent customer reviews as well as free home delivery. Always check the warranty details thoroughly prior to purchasing any appliance, particularly an electrical appliance like a tumble dryer, to ensure you’re covered in the event of breakdowns or faults.