Heat Pump Tumble Dryers
The tumble dryers of a heat pump recycle the hot air that they use to dry your clothes, rather than venting it outside. This is a cost-effective solution for your household as it conserves energy.
John Lewis has a range of tumble dryers, including condenser and vented models and heat pump tumble dryers . Find out more about tumble dryers in our article.
Cost
Tumble dryers can be ideal for reducing space and decreasing the need to dry laundry in the sun however, they do use a lot of electricity. When looking to reduce your energy costs, it may be worth considering switching to an energy-efficient tumble dryer. While these machines do have a higher upfront cost, they can save you money in the end due to their lower energy consumption.
The heat pump tumble dryers operate by heating the air that was warmed up during the drying process. This results in significantly lower energy bills than condenser or vented models. This kind of tumble dryer uses half the electricity as condenser or vented models, saving you up to PS173 on your energy bills every year.
When you compare the cost of a heat pump tumble dryer versus other types, the difference is usually not significant. However, it's crucial to take into consideration the amount of energy is being used and how often you'll use your tumble dryer. You will need to consider the wattage of your appliance and your electricity tariff when calculating the amount each tumble dryer will cost you.
Vented tumble dryers make use of gas to dry the laundry and are powered by gas mains and are therefore more expensive if you're on a tight budget. They are also more limited in their locations of installation because they require a space that has adequate ventilation to get rid of the damp air.
Condenser dryers remove the moisture from your laundry by moving hot humid air to a separate unit where it is converted to water. The water can be removed into a container that has to be manually emptyed, or it can be piped into your drainage system to remove it continuously. This allows for greater flexibility in the installation locations, but you will need to prepare for any additional maintenance by ensuring the drain pipe is in good condition.
Energy efficiency
A tumble dryer heat-pump can help you save money on energy bills. The technology requires less electricity to heat the air inside the tumble dryer. This enables it to dry clothes more efficiently and at lower temperatures than vented models.
The dryers also make use of a coolant to liquefy the air's humidity, which is then ejected through the condenser. This means that they use less energy than traditional vented dryers. Dryers may take a little longer to complete your laundry cycle as compared to vented models, but your clothes will feel and look better for longer due to the lower temperatures.
Typically they'll cost you between $500 to $700 more upfront than condenser dryers. However, this extra expense is easily offset by the savings you'll make on your energy costs in the long term. They are 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. A vented dryer requires an extended flexible vent hose that's permanently connected to the appliance at one end and a drainage point - either the drain or a window or door at the other. The hose can't be shared or used in a manner that could cause damage to it.
As with heat pump dryers, a condenser dryer is a type of dryer that heats the air using an electrical element before expels the moisture via a tray for condensation. They're typically heavy-duty dryers with higher capacity for wet loads, which range from 6kg - 10kg. They also operate more quietly. They're more expensive to purchase than tumble dryers with heat pumps and they can't be installed without an ongoing wall connection. The cost of running them is also higher than heat pump dryers as they have to generate more heat to evaporate the moisture from your laundry. They are also less efficient than vented models. However, they use a fair amount of electricity when they spin the motor that rotates your laundry.
Noise
The sound generated by tumble dryers can be very loud, but the volume depends on several variables. The decibel rating will only be one factor. The frequency of the sound will also influence how loud it sounds. The sound can be amplified by nearby resonant objects such as work surfaces, cabinets or furniture, and it may be affected by the room's acoustics. The sound produced by your tumble dryer could be obstructed by carpets or other absorbent materials for acoustics.
Heat pump and condenser tumble dryers are quieter than vented models, however it's important to keep in mind that they're still noisy. They are gentler on fabrics, drying your laundry more slowly with lower temperatures of air and a longer cycle than traditional models. This means that they're less damaging to your clothes and are less likely to cause the loss of colour often caused by high temperatures, old fashioned tumble dryers.
It's important to remember that when you intend to use your tumbler dryer primarily together with a washer machine, the two appliances should be placed near each other to minimize noises or vibrations when operating. A stacking washer and dryer kit can help avoid this issue, which can be bought for all types of appliances.
A tumble dryer that is a heat pump needs to have an uninterrupted flow of air to function, which is why it's best to put it in a well-ventilated area in your home. You'll need to make sure that the vent hose is permanently connected to the appliance and that it's securely positioned outside your home, rather than redirected through a window or door.
The condenser dryer doesn't need to be permanently connected to vents, and can be placed anywhere within your home. It collects the vapour and any water left in a container that can be manually emptied, or connected to a drain using an drainage pipe that will automatically empty it.
It's possible to turn a vented tumbler into a condenser model with an conversion kit, however this could void the manufacturer's warranty and must be performed by a certified professional. The kits contain the components required to set up an air vent as well as a small water pump to eliminate the condensation, so they're not cheap.
Maintenance
Heat pump tumble dryers work differently from condenser or vented machines because they don't require external venting for the purpose of removing hot air. The warm air that passes over your clothes is collected and then run through a condenser that is able to separate the hot water from the cold air. It is then disposed in a reservoir of water (sometimes called a tank) inside the appliance. It is necessary empty the tank at some point, but you can keep the dryer in the same location as if you installed vents.
Comparatively to vented models, the heat pump model uses approximately 50 percent less energy. According to Which?, it is also less expensive to run. You can save PS42-PS51 per year. However, it's not an inexpensive tumbler to purchase and you need to make sure you can afford the initial cost.
A tumbler with a heat pump requires little maintenance, aside from cleaning the lint filter and checking for fluff on the heater unit once in a while. However, you have to clean the drain of condensation frequently and it will take longer than a vented tumble dryer to dry your clothes.
If you are looking for a tumble dryer that isn't expensive it is worth taking a look at a sensor model that automatically stops when your laundry is finished to avoid drying too long, which can cause damage to your clothes. But, you'll have to program the drying cycle and this can be a hassle if you have lots of different clothes in your wardrobe.
You can find a range of tumble dryers from brands such as Beko and John Lewis that use condenser, heat pump or vented technologies. John Lewis offers a free home delivery and a 2-year warranty. It is important to read the warranty information carefully prior to purchasing any appliance, particularly an electrical one like a tumbler to make sure you're covered in case of breakdowns or malfunctions.