Are Heat Pump Tumble Dryers Any Good?

Tumble dryers are a household staple and aid in getting our laundry dry without having to wait for the sun to rise. But have you heard of heat pump tumble dryers?

They operate at lower temperatures, are more gentle on your clothes and can save you money over the long term. But are they really worth the extra cost upfront?

They're more efficient

The heat pump dryers are an excellent option when you are looking to cut down on energy. Heat pump models, unlike vented or condenser dryers, warm the air before blowing it over your laundry. These models also collect and reuse heat emitted from the air during the drying process. This helps to save money as well as energy.

As you can imagine, this is more efficient than traditional method of drying clothes which involves using an oil or gas burner to produce the heat, and then blowing it over your wet clothes to evaporate the moisture. It's important to keep in mind that, despite being more energy-efficient than other types of tumble dryer, heat pump dryers can take slightly longer to dry your laundry. They do this due to the fact that they use lower temperatures to shield delicate fabrics.

Heat pump tumble dryers are still faster than hanging your clothes on the line, especially when you utilize the speedy cycle settings. They can reduce drying time by as much as 30 minutes. They are also more efficient than other tumble dryers when it's time to dry a full load.

Despite taking longer to dry your laundry in the end, the fact that heat pump dryers use less energy than other tumble dryers means they are significantly cheaper to run. According to Which? research, an energy-efficient heat pump dryer could reduce your energy costs by as much as PS43 per year compared with the typical vented or condenser tumble dryer.

However, if you're looking for an even more affordable method of getting your laundry dry, we would suggest investing in a fabric softener and adding dryer balls to your tumble dryer to maximise the warm airflow through your clothes and stop them from being damaged by the heat. It's important to regularly clean your lint filters too because a blocked filter can block airflow and reduce effectiveness.

They're cheaper to manage

As we all know that energy bills can be significant and making sure that your appliances are as efficient as possible can really help. The tumble dryers that use heat pump technology consume up to 50 percent less energy per cycle than condenser models that are vented. This is a significant amount of money!

The primary reason is that they recycle warm air, rather than heating it from scratch like traditional machines do. They also operate at a lower temperature which isn't just cost-effective but is better for your clothes. Hot air can cause fabrics to shrink and necklines to become misshapen, so keeping your clothes at a lower temperature is gentler on them.

With energy prices being at their highest in a long time it's crucial to seize every chance to save as much money as you can on your bills. A heat pump tumbler can help you achieve this and more. It's estimated that a typical energy-hungry vented tumbler costs PS1,928 per year to run, whereas an energy-efficient model will cost about PS59 per year!

Additionally, heat pump tumble dryers do not require a vent to function. They can be used wherever in the home, even if there is no gas or wall connection near. The hot air released by vented and condenser dryers should be diverted away from the drain. This can make it difficult to locate them and even harder to move if you decide to move house.

They may cost more upfront than other tumble dryers, but they'll soon make up the difference in energy savings over their lifetime. Plus, with prices steadily falling as more and more are manufactured, it's worth investing in a heat pump tumble dryer now to reap the rewards in the years to come.

They're quieter

The heat pump technology inside these tumble dryers isn't able to convert warm air into liquid like vented models, so it's quieter than other types. Since they're sealed, they also don't need a vent to let the damp air out, which makes them a perfect option for homes with restricted spaces where venting isn't readily available.

This also means they're much quieter when running. This could be a huge advantage for anyone who wants to keep laundry day as quiet and stress-free as possible!

Another thing to note is that while drying can take up to 50% longer than a conventional tumble dryer, it will be because your clothes are drying at an lower temperature. This doesn't affect the condition of your clothes however, it means that you'll have some time between getting home from work and walking through the door to find an abundance of clean laundry in your hallway!

One final thing to bear in mind is that because heat pump tumble dryers don't reverse the direction of the drum during the drying process and you may encounter that larger items (such as duvet covers) may appear slightly scrunched up if the machine isn't the best fit for their shape. This can usually be solved by adding heatpump dryer balls to the cycle since they help loosen and increase the circulation of warm air around your clothes which will allow them to dry in a more efficient manner.

Tumble dryers with heat pumps are an excellent option for those who want to cut down on their energy bills and carbon footprint. However, they're not suitable for all. If you want a more conventional model, our vented and condenser models will deliver excellent results without breaking the budget. Our expert sales advisors can help you to find the best tumble dryer for your budget and requirements, either in-store or by phone. Why not give us a ring to learn more?

They're also more eco-friendly.

Contrary to vented or condenser tumble dryers, which require an external vent in order for hot air to escape into the outside world, heat pump models draw in warm air from the room they're in and then re-heat it so less energy is needed. This is why they're more sustainable and reduce your carbon footprint while reducing your energy bills in the long run.

We believe that they're an excellent investment for your home and the environment. They're also kinder to fabrics, since they dry at lower temperatures, and are thus less likely to cause shrinkage of clothing, misshapen necklines or degrade prints in your clothes.

They can be placed wherever you want. They do not require plumbing connections and the moisture they absorb what is tumble dryer heat pump stored in the reservoir which you can easily empty. They can be placed in the garage or in the utility room. They're also ideal for homes that are rented out to guests.

Although they're not as fast in getting your laundry dry, that's because they re-heat the circulating warm air instead of creating it from scratch every time. This means they'll be quicker than condenser and vented dryers in the majority of cases but with a less impact on your energy bills compared to either type of tumble dryer.

In the end, heat pump dryers can save you as much as PS42 - PS51 per year, compared to vented tumble dryers, as per Which? - making them an excellent choice for households of all sizes. They're also kinder to the environment, consuming up to 50% less electricity than vented or condenser models, so you can feel comfortable about helping the environment while you're washing your laundry.