Heat Pump Tumble Dryers

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

John Lewis offers a wide range of tumble dryers. These include both heated and vented models. Find out more about tumble dryers in our 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 tend to use quite much energy. When looking to reduce your energy costs you might want to looking into an energy-efficient tumble dryer. They are more expensive at first, but they can save you money over time due to their lower energy consumption.

The heat pump tumble dryers operate by reheating air that was already warmed up during the drying process. This results in significantly lower energy costs 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 can save you as much as PS173 per year on your energy bills.

When it comes to comparing the price of a heat pump tumble dryer against other models, the difference is usually minimal. However, it's important to consider the amount of energy that is being used and how often you'll be using your tumble dryer. You'll have to consider the wattage of your machine and also your electricity bill which will determine how much you have to pay for each tumble dry.

Vented tumble dryers are more costly if your budget is tight. They make use of gas to dry your laundry and they are powered by mains gas. They also have a smaller range in their locations of installation because they must be located in an area with adequate ventilation to let out the humid air.

Condenser dryers eliminate the moisture from your laundry by transferring hot, humid air into a separate unit where it is transformed into water. This water is then drained away, in a container that is removable that needs to be manually emptied or can be plugged into your drainage system to ensure continuous removal. This permits you to place the system in various locations. However, you will need to conduct additional maintenance on the drain pipe.

Energy efficiency

If you're concerned about your electricity bills, a tumble dryer heat pump can provide significant savings. The technology requires less electrical power to warm the air inside the tumble dryer, which enables it to dry your clothes more efficiently and at a lower temperature than vented models.

They also utilize a coolant that liquifies the air's humidity and then ejects it out through the condenser, meaning they require less electricity to operate than traditional vented dryers. Dryers may take a little longer to finish your laundry cycle compared to vented models, however the clothes will look and feel better for longer due to the lower temperatures.

They cost an extra $500-$700 upfront however the energy savings will make up for this. They're also a heavier investment and must be put in rooms that are well-ventilated. ventilation.

Like all electrical appliances, it's crucial that any installation of a tumbler what is Tumble dryer heat pump carried out by an experienced Gas Safe engineer. A vented dryer requires an extended flexible vent hose permanently connected to the appliance at one end, and a drainage point - either a drain or a door - at the other. The hose should be secured in place and cannot be shared with any other appliance or used in any manner that could lead to its deterioration.

Condenser dryers function in a similar way to heat pump dryers. They employ an electrical element to warm the air, What is Tumble Dryer Heat Pump and then release the moisture via the condensation tray. They are usually heavy-duty dryers, with greater capacity for wet loads, ranging between 6 and 10 kg. They also run more quietly. However, they're more costly than heat pump tumble dryers and aren't suited for installations that don't have an unbreakable connection to the wall. The cost of running them is also more expensive than heat pump dryers since they generate more heat to evaporate the moisture from your laundry. They are less efficient than vented models. They still require electricity to turn the motor which rotates your laundry.

Noise

Tumble dryers generate a lot of noise however, the volume they emit depends on a number of factors. The decibel rating will only be one factor. The frequency of the sound also affects how loud it sounds. The sound may also be amplified by resonant objects in the vicinity, such as work surfaces, cabinets or furniture, and it may be affected by the acoustics of the room. The sound of the tumble dryer can be dampened by acoustic absorbent material such as carpets, or be drowned out by other appliances in your home.

Heat pump and condenser tumble 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 faster due to lower temperatures of air. They also have a longer cycle. This means they're less damaging to your clothes and are less likely to cause the loss of colour often associated with high temperature old-fashioned tumble dryers.

If you plan to utilize your tumble dryer together with a washing machine it's crucial to remember that the two appliances must be placed in close proximity to each other to prevent noise and vibrations when they are in use. A washer dryer with heat pump and dryer stacking kit can help prevent this problem, and can be bought for all types of appliances.

A heat pump tumble dryer needs to have an uninterrupted flow of air to function, therefore it's best to put it in a ventilated area of your home. The vent hose needs to be permanently connected to the appliance and routed securely to the outside of your home.

The condenser dryer does not need to be permanently connected to a vent, and can be put anywhere within your home. It collects the vapour and any water left in a container that can be manually empty, or connected to a drain through a drainage pipe which will automatically empty it.

It is possible to transform a vented tumble dryer into a condenser model with the conversion kit, but this could void the manufacturer's warranty and should only be done by a trained professional. These kits include the parts required to install an air vent as well as a small water pump to eliminate the condensation, so they're not cheap.

Maintenance

A tumbler with a heat pump works differently to vented or condenser models as it doesn't require venting externally to extract the hot air. Instead the warm air that is passing through your clothes is collected and absorbed inside the appliance, which then runs it through a condenser that separates the water from the hot 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 permits you to store the dryer in smaller spaces than if you were to install a vent in the machine.

Compared to vented models, the heat pump model uses about 50 percent less energy. This makes it more affordable to run, allowing you to save around PS42-PS51 per year according to Which?, and it's also more sustainable for the environment. It's a cheap tumble dryer to buy, What is Tumble Dryer Heat Pump and you should be sure to budget the initial costs.

In general, a tumble dryer with a heat pump requires only minimal maintenance, besides clearing the lint filter, and checking for fluff around the heater unit each time. You will have to clean your drains for condensation more frequently and it takes longer to dry clothes than dryers with vented vents.

Consider a sensor-controlled tumble dryer when you're looking to buy a low-cost model. It will shut down the machine when your laundry is finished, preventing over-drying and damaging your clothes. You'll need to program your dryer's drying cycle when you have a large number of different fabrics.

You can find a range of tumble dryers from brands like Beko and John Lewis that use condenser, heat pumps or vented technologies. 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 carefully before you purchase an appliance, especially an electrical appliance such as a tumbler, to ensure that you're covered in case of faults or breakdowns.