Heat Pump Tumble Dryers
The tumble dryers of a heat pump recycle hot air used to dry your clothes instead of venting it outside. This conserves energy, making it a cost-effective choice for your household.
John Lewis has a range of tumble dryers, including both vented and condenser models and heat pump tumble dryers. Find out more in our guide to tumble dryers.
Cost
Tumble dryers are great for saving space and making it less necessary to dry laundry in the sunlight however they can consume a lot of energy. If you're looking to cut down on your energy costs, it might be worth switching to a heating-pump tumble dryer. Although these dryers do have a higher initial cost, they will save you money in the end thanks to their lower energy consumption.
They work on the basis of heating air that has already warmed up during the drying process. This results in lower energy bills than vented or condensation models. This type of tumble dryer consumes less electricity than condenser or vented models, allowing you to save up to PS173 on your utility bills each year.
When comparing heat tumble dryers with pumps versus other types, there's generally a small cost difference. However, it is important to consider the amount of energy is being used and how often you'll use your tumble dryer. You'll need to factor in the wattage of the machine as well as your electricity bill which will affect the price you have to pay for each tumble dry.
Vented tumble dryers can be more expensive in the event of a tight budget. heat-pump tumble dryer use gas to dry your laundry, and they're powered by mains-gas. They are also more limited in the places they can be installed since they must be located in a space that has adequate ventilation to expel the humid air.
Condenser dryers take moisture out of the laundry by moving hot air into a separate condensing unit, which is then converted into water. This water can either be removed into a container which must be manually emptied, or it can be pumped into the drainage system to remove it constantly. This allows you to install the system in various locations. However, you will have to perform extra maintenance on the drain pipe.
Energy efficiency
If you're worried about your electricity bills, a tumble dryer heat pump could provide substantial savings. The technology requires less power to heat the air inside the tumble dryer. This lets it dry clothes more efficiently and at lower temperatures than vented models.
They also utilize a coolant that disperses 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 might take a bit longer to complete your laundry cycle as compared to vented models, however the clothes will feel and look better for longer due to the lower temperatures.
They'll cost you an additional $500 to $700 up front, but the energy savings could easily cover this. They also cost more and require adequate ventilation.
Like all electrical appliances, it's essential that any tumble dryer installation is completed by an experienced Gas Safe engineer. Ventilated dryers require an extended, flexible vent hose that's permanently connected to your appliance at one end, and a drainage point - either a drain or a door - at the other. The hose is not shared or used in a manner that could damage it.
Condenser dryers work in a similar way similar to heat pump dryers. They use an electric element to heat the air and then expel the moisture via the condensation tray. They are usually heavy-duty dryers, with greater capacity for wet loads, which range from 6kg - 10kg. They also operate more quietly. However, they're more expensive than heat pump tumble dryers and aren't suited for installations that don't have a permanent connection to the wall. The cost of running them is higher than heat pump dryers, since they generate more heat to evaporate the moisture in your laundry. They're also less efficient than vented models. They still rely on electricity to turn the motor which turns your clothes.
Noise
The sound produced 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 can also impact how loud it sounds. The sound may be amplified by nearby resonant objects like work surfaces, cupboards or furniture, and could be affected by the acoustics of the room. The sound produced by your tumble dryer might be muffled by carpets or any other absorption materials.
Condenser and heat pump models are quieter than vented dryers however, they're still noisy. They are gentler on fabrics, drying your laundry more slowly with lower air temperatures and a longer cycle than traditional models. This means that they're less damaging to your clothes and are less likely to cause loss of colour that's often associated with high temperature old-fashioned tumble dryers.
It is crucial to keep in mind when you intend to use your tumbler dryer in conjunction together with a washer machine both appliances must be placed near to each other to prevent vibrations or noises during operation. To avoid this issue there is a washer and dryer stacking set is available for both types of appliances.
Heat pump tumble dryers need a constant flow of air to perform, and therefore should be set up in a location that is well-ventilated in your home. The vent hose should be connected permanently to the appliance, and routed securely outside your home.
The condenser dryer doesn't need to be permanently connected to an exhaust vent, and it can be put anywhere within your home. It collects the leftover vapour and water into a condensation container that is either manually emptied or connected to a drain with a drainage tube which will automatically empty it.
Converting a vented tumble-dryer to condenser dryer is feasible with an conversion kit. However, it will invalidate the warranty provided by the manufacturer and should only be done by a qualified professional. These kits come with the parts to install vents, aswell an in-built pump to remove condensation.
Maintenance
A tumble dryer with a heat pump differs from vented or condenser models as it doesn't require venting outside to draw out the hot air. The warm air that is blown over your clothes is absorbed and then pumped through a condenser, which separates the water from the heated air. It is then collected in a reservoir of water (sometimes called a tank) inside the appliance. This means that you'll need to empty the water tank at some point but it also permits you to keep the dryer in a smaller space than if you had to install a vent in the dryer.
The heat pump model is around 50 percent more efficient than vented models. This makes it cheaper to run, which means you'll save PS42-PS51 a year on average according to Which?, and it's also much more sustainable for the environment. However, it's not a cheap tumble dryer to purchase and you need to be sure to budget the upfront costs.
A heat pump tumble dryer requires very little maintenance aside from cleaning the lint filter and checking for fluff on the heater unit every now and then. However, you do have to clean the condensation drain regularly and it will take longer than a vented dryer to dry your clothes.
Consider a sensor-controlled tumble dryer if you're looking for a low-cost model. It will shut down the machine when the laundry is done to prevent over-drying and damaging your clothes. However, you'll have to manually program the drying cycle, and this can be a hassle in the event that you have many different fabrics in your wardrobe.
You can find a range of tumble dryers from brands such as Beko and John Lewis that use heat pumps, condenser or vented technology. They all come with a two-year warranty and John Lewis has excellent customer reviews and free home delivery. You should always check the warranty information carefully prior to purchasing an appliance, especially an electrical one like a tumbler to ensure that you're covered in case of breakdowns or faults.