Heat Pump Tumble Dryers

Heat pump tumble dryers reuse the hot air they use to dry your clothes instead of venting it out. This is a cost-effective option for your household, as it saves energy.

John Lewis offers a wide range of tumble dryers. These include both heat pump and vented models. 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 are prone to using lots of energy. When looking to reduce your energy bills, it may be worth considering switching to the use of a heat pump tumbler. While these machines do have a higher initial cost, they can save you money in the end because of their lower energy consumption.

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

When comparing the performance of heat pump tumble dryers to other models, there is typically a minimal price difference. But, it's important to consider the amount of energy that is being used and the frequency you'll use your tumble dryer. It is important to consider the wattage as well as your electricity tariff when calculating the amount each tumbler will cost.

Vented tumble dryers are more costly in the event of a tight budget. They make use of 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 eliminate the moisture from your laundry by transferring hot, humid air into separate units which is then converted into water. The water can be removed into a container which must be manually emptyed, or Heat pump dryers it can be transferred into the drainage system to remove it constantly. This permits you to place the system in various locations. However, you'll have to perform extra maintenance on the drain pipe.

Energy efficiency

A tumble dryer's heat-pump can help you save money on your energy costs. The technology requires less electrical power to warm the air inside the tumble dryer, allowing it to dry your clothes more effectively and at a lower temperature than vented models.

They also employ a cooling agent that disperses the humidity in the air and then ejects it out through the condenser, meaning they require less electricity to operate than traditional vented dryers. They may take longer to finish your laundry cycle than vented dryers, however your clothes will remain looking and more comfortable longer because of the lower drying temperatures.

Typically they'll cost between $500 and $700 more upfront than condenser dryers, but this additional cost is offset by the savings you'll make on your energy bills over the long haul. They also cost more and require adequate ventilation.

Like all electrical appliances, it's crucial that the installation of a tumble dryer is completed by a Gas Safe engineer. Ventilated dryers require a flexible, long vent hose that is permanently connected the appliance at one end, and a drainage point at the other - the drain or window. The hose should be secured and can't be shared with another appliance or used in any way that could cause it to degrade.

Similar to heat pump dryers, a condenser dryer is a type of dryer that heats the air using an electrical element, and then expels the moisture via the condensation tray. They tend to be heavier-duty dryers with greater capacity for wet loads ranging from 6kg to 10kg, and are more quiet 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. They're also more expensive to operate than heat pump dryers as they need to generate lots of heat to evaporate the moisture from your laundry, and are not as efficient as vented models. They still use electricity to turn the motor that turns your clothes.

Noise

Tumble dryers produce a lot of noise, but the level of loudness is contingent on a variety of variables. The decibel rating can only be one of the many variables. The frequency of the sound will also influence the level of loudness. The sound could be amplified in the event that there are resonant items nearby like cabinets, work surfaces or furniture. It can also be affected by the room's acoustics. The sound of your tumble dryer could be muffled by carpets or any other acoustic absorbent material.

Condenser and heat pump tumble dryers are quieter than vented models, however it's worth bearing in mind that they're still noisy. They are less harsh on fabrics and dry your laundry more slowly due to lower temperatures of air. They also have longer cycles. This means that they're less damaging to your clothes and are less likely to cause loss of color that is often associated with high temperature old-fashioned tumble dryers.

It is important to keep in mind that if you plan to utilize your tumbler dryer mostly with a washer machine, the two appliances should be placed near to each other in order to prevent vibrations or noises during operation. To avoid this problem it is recommended to use a washer and dryer stacking set is available for both types of appliances.

A tumbler with a heat pump needs to have a continuous flow of air to function, therefore it's best placed in a well-ventilated area in your home. The vent hose should be permanently connected to the appliance, and positioned securely to the outside of your home.

The condenser tumble dryer, in contrast does not require the permanent connection to a vent and can be installed anywhere in your home. It collects the vapour left behind and water in a container that can either be manually empty or connected to a drain via an drainage tube, which will automatically empty it.

Converting a vented tumble-dryer to condenser dryer can be done by using a conversion kit. However, this could invalidate the warranty provided by the manufacturer and should be done by a certified professional. The kits come with parts to install vents, aswell with a small pump to eliminate condensation.

Maintenance

Heat pump tumble dryers work differently than condenser or vented dryers in that they don't require venting outside in order to extract hot air. The warm air that is blown over your clothes is absorbed and then passed through a condenser that separates the water from the heated air. Then, it is recirculated in a water reservoir (sometimes called a tank) inside the appliance. This means you will need to empty the tank at some point but it also permits you to store the dryer in less space than if you had to install a vent for the machine.

In comparison to vented models the heat pump model uses about 50 percent less energy. According to Which?, it is also cheaper to run. You can save between PS42 and heat pump Dryers PS51 per year. It's not cheap to purchase a tumble dryer, therefore you must be able to pay for the initial costs.

In general, a heat pump tumble dryer needs only minimal maintenance, besides clearing the lint filter and looking for any dust particles around the heater unit now and again. You will have to clean your drains for condensation more frequently and it takes longer to dry clothes than a vented dryer.

Look into a sensor-controlled tumbler if you're looking for an affordable model. It will shut down the machine immediately when the laundry is done by preventing excessive drying and harm to your clothes. You'll have to program the drying cycle of your dryer in case you have a lot of different clothes.

You can find a range of tumble dryers from brands such as Beko and John Lewis that use heat pumps, condenser or vented technology. They all come with a two-year warranty, and John Lewis has excellent customer reviews and free delivery to homes. Check the warranty details before buying an appliance, especially one that is electrical like a tumble dryer. This will ensure that you are covered in the event of a problem or breakdown.