Heat Pump Tumble Dryers

The tumble dryers of a heat pump make use of hot air to dry your clothes instead of venting it outside. This conserves energy, making it a cost-efficient option for your household.

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

Cost

Tumble dryers can be useful for reducing space and reducing the need to dry laundry in the sun, but they tend to consume a lot of electricity. If you're looking to reduce your energy consumption it might be worth considering switching to a heat pump tumble dryer. Although these machines have a higher initial cost, they'll save you money over the long term 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 costs than vented or condensation models. This type of tumble dryer typically consumes about half the electricity as a vented condenser model, and as such could save you up to PS173 per year on your utility bills.

When you compare the price of a heat pump tumble dryer versus other types, the price difference is usually negligible. However, it is crucial to take into consideration the amount of energy is being used and how often you'll use your tumble dryer. You'll have to consider the wattage of the machine as well as your electricity rate which will affect the price 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 a more expensive option when you're on a strict budget. They are also less flexible in their installation locations because they require a room with appropriate ventilation to let out the humid air.

Condenser dryers remove moisture from the laundry by transferring hot air into an individual condensing unit which converts it 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 you to set up the system in various locations. However, you'll need to conduct additional maintenance on the drain pipe.

Energy efficiency

If you're worried about your energy costs the tumble dryer heat pump can offer significant savings. The technology requires less electrical power to warm the air in the tumble dryer, which enables it to dry your clothes faster and at lower temperatures than vented models.

They also utilize a coolant that helps to liquefy the humidity in the air and then releases it through the condenser. This means they use less power to operate than traditional vented dryers. The dryers may take a bit longer to finish your laundry cycle as compared to vented models, but your clothes will look and feel better for longer because of the lower temperatures.

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

Gas Safe engineers are required to install tumble dryers just as they do with any other electrical appliance. Ventilated dryers require a long flexible vent hose permanently connected to the appliance at one end and an outlet point - whether an outlet or a window or efficient door - at the other. This hose must be properly secured in place and shouldn't be shared with any other appliance or used in any manner that could cause it to deteriorate.

Similar to heat pump dryers, a condenser dryer works by heating the air with an electrical element, and then expelling the moisture through a tray for condensation. They tend to be heavy-duty performers, with larger capacities for wet loads that range from 6kg to 10kg, and are more quiet to operate. However, they're more costly than heat pump tumble dryers to buy and aren't appropriate for installations that do not have an unbreakable connection to the wall. They're also more expensive to operate than heat pump dryers as they require a lot of heat to remove the water from your laundry. They also aren't as efficient as vented models. However, they do still make use of a considerable amount of power as they spin the motor that rotates your laundry.

Noise

The sound produced by tumble dryers is very loud, but the volume of the sound is dependent on a number of variables. The decibel rating is just one of them, but the frequency of the noise can affect how loud it is. The sound can be amplified by nearby resonant objects like work surfaces, cabinets or furniture, and could be affected by the acoustics of the room. The sound of the tumble dryer can be slowed by acoustic absorbent material such as carpets, or it can be drowned out by other appliances that are operating within your home.

Condenser and heat pump dryers are quieter than vented models, however it's worth bearing in mind that they're still noisy. They are more gentle on your clothes and dry your laundry slower with lower air 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 often associated with high temperature 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 should be placed near each other in order to prevent vibrations or noises during operation. A washer and dryer stacking kit can help solve this issue. It is available for all types of appliances.

They require an ongoing flow of air in order to function, so they must be located in a location that is well ventilated in your home. You'll need to ensure that the vent hose is connected to the appliance and securely routed out of your home and not directed through a window or door.

The condenser dryer doesn't require a permanent connection to vents, and can be placed wherever in your home. It stores the water and vapour left over in a container that can be manually emptied, or connected to a drain through the drainage pipe, which will automatically empty it.

It is possible to transform a vented tumbler into a condenser model using 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 a vent and a small water pump to remove the condensation, which is why they're not cheap heat pump tumble dryer.

Maintenance

A tumbler with a heat pump is different from condenser or vented models since it doesn't require venting externally to draw out the hot air. Instead the warm air that is passing through your clothes is gathered and stored inside the appliance, 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'll have to empty the tank at some point but it also permits you to keep the dryer in less space than if you were to install a vent for the dryer.

The heat pump model is around 50 percent more efficient than vented models. According to Which? it is also more economical to run. It can save you between PS42 and PS51 per year. It's an inexpensive tumbler to purchase, and you should make sure you can afford the initial cost.

In general, a heat pump tumble dryer needs minimal maintenance, other than cleaning the lint filter and checking for any dust particles around the heater unit every now and then. However, you do need to clean the drain of condensation often and it can take longer than a vented tumble dryer to dry your clothes.

Consider a sensor-controlled tumble dryer when you're looking to buy a low-cost model. The sensor will stop the machine immediately when the laundry is done by preventing excessive drying and harm to your clothes. However, you'll have to programme the drying cycle and this can be a challenge in the event that you have many different clothes in your wardrobe.

There is a variety of tumble dryers from brands like Beko and John Lewis that use heat pumps, condenser or vented technologies. All models come with a 2-year warranty and John Lewis has excellent customer reviews as well as free home delivery. Check the warranty details before purchasing an appliance, and especially one that is electrical, such as a tumble dryer. This will ensure that you are protected in the event of a fault or breakdown.