Heat Pump Tumble Dryers

Heat pump tumble dryers make use of hot air to dry your clothes, instead of venting it outside. This saves you energy, which makes it a cost-effective option for your household.

John Lewis offers a wide selection of tumble dryers. These include both heated and vented models. Find out more in our guide to tumble dryers.

Cost

Tumble dryers are excellent for making it less necessary to hang laundry outside in the sun and for saving space for storage, but they also tend to use quite lots of energy. If you are looking to cut down on your energy consumption, combined it may be worth trying a heat pump tumble dryer. Although these machines have a higher upfront cost, they can save you money in the end due to their lower energy consumption.

They work by reheating the air that has already been warmed during the drying cycle and results in lower energy costs than condenser models vented or vented. This type of tumble dryer typically uses up to half as much electricity as a vented or condenser model, and as such can save you up to PS173 per year on your utility bills.

When it comes to comparing the cost of a pump tumble dryer with other types, the price difference is usually not significant. However, it's important to consider the amount of energy is being used and the frequency you'll be using your tumble dryer. You'll need to take into consideration the wattage of your appliance and your electricity bill when calculating how much each tumble dryer will cost you.

Vented tumble dryers are more expensive when you're on a tight budget. They utilize gas to dry your laundry and they are powered by mains gas. They are also more limited in their installation locations because they require a space that has adequate ventilation to expel the damp air.

Condenser dryers eliminate the moisture from your laundry by transferring hot humid air to an additional unit where it is converted to water. This water can be drained into a removable container which must be manually emptyed, or it can be piped into your drainage system to eliminate it constantly. This will allow for greater flexibility when it comes to installation places, but you'll need to be prepared 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 your energy costs. The technology requires less electricity to heat the air inside the tumble dryer. This enables it to dry clothes more efficiently and at a lower temperatures than vented models.

They also employ a cooling agent that liquifies the air's humidity and ejects it through the condenser. This means they require less electricity to run than traditional vented models. The dryers might take a little longer to complete your laundry cycle than vented models, but the clothes will appear and feel better for longer due to the lower temperatures.

They cost an extra $500 to $700 upfront but the energy savings will easily compensate for this. They are also more expensive and require adequate ventilation.

Gas Safe engineers are required to install tumble dryers, like any other electrical appliance. A vented dryer requires an extended, flexible vent hose that's permanently connected to your appliance at one end and an outlet point - whether an outlet or a door or window at the other. The hose should be secured in place and cannot be shared with any other appliance or used in any way that could cause it to degrade.

Condenser dryers work in a similar way similar to heat pump dryers. They utilize an electrical element to heat the air, and then release the moisture via a condensation tray. They are heat pump tumble dryers any good typically heavy-duty performers with larger capacities for wet loads that range from 6kg to 10kg, and are quieter to operate. They are more expensive to purchase than tumble dryers that use heat pumps and aren't able to be mounted without an permanent wall connection. 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. They still use electricity to turn the motor which rotates your clothes.

Noise

Tumble dryers produce a lot of noise however, how loud they are is contingent on a variety of variables. The decibel rating is only one of them, and the frequency of the noise will influence the volume at which it is. The sound may be amplified by nearby resonant objects like work surfaces, cupboards or furniture, and may be affected by the room's acoustics. The sound of the tumble dryer may be dampened by acoustic absorbent fabrics such as carpets, or be drowned out by other appliances that are operating within your home.

Condenser and heat pump dryers are quieter than vented models, but it's important to remember that they're still loud. They are more gentle on fabrics and dry your laundry slower with lower air temperatures. They also have longer cycles. This means they're less damaging to your clothes and are less likely to cause the loss of color that is often associated with high temperatures, old fashioned tumble dryers.

If you're planning to use your tumble dryer mostly in conjunction with a washing machine it's important to remember that the two appliances must be placed close each other to prevent noise and vibrations during operation. A washer and dryer stacking kit can help avoid this issue, which can be purchased for all types of appliances.

Heat pump tumble dryers need an ongoing flow of air to work, therefore they should be placed 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 outside of your house and not directed through a window or door.

The condenser tumbler, in contrast isn't requiring an ongoing connection to a vent and can be put in any place in your home. It collects the leftover vapour and water in a condensation 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 into condenser dryer is feasible by using the conversion kit. However, this will affect the warranty provided by the manufacturer and should only by performed by a trained professional. The kits include components to set up vents, as well as a small pump to remove condensation.

Maintenance

A tumble dryer with a heat pump works differently to condenser or vented models because it doesn't require venting outside to extract the hot air. Instead, the warm air that flows through your clothes is collected and absorbed inside the appliance and then it is pushed through a condenser in order to separate the water from the hot air and store it in a water tank (sometimes called a reservoir) inside the machine. You'll need empty the tank eventually however, you can store the dryer in the same place as if you have a vent.

Comparatively to vented models, the heat pump model uses approximately 50 percent less energy. This makes it more affordable to run, allowing you to save around PS42-PS51 per year according to Which?, and is also more sustainable for the environment. It's not cheap to buy a tumble dryer, so you'll need to be able pay for the initial costs.

In general the heat pump tumble dryer needs only minimal maintenance, besides clearing the lint filter and looking for any dust particles around the heater unit each time. You'll need to clean your condensation drain more often and it takes longer to dry clothes than vented dryers.

If you are looking for a low-cost tumble dryer it is worth considering a sensor model that automatically stops when your laundry is done to prevent drying too long that could damage your clothes. You will need to program the drying cycle of your dryer if you have a lot of different types of fabrics.

You can find a range of tumble dryers from brands like Beko and John Lewis which use heat pumps, condenser or vented technologies. They all come with a two-year warranty, and John Lewis has excellent customer reviews as well as free home delivery. Make sure you read the warranty information prior to purchasing an appliance, and especially one that is electrical like a tumble dryer. This will ensure that you are covered in the event of a malfunction or breakdown.