Heat Pump Tumble Dryers
The tumble dryers that use heat pumps make use of hot air to dry your clothing, instead of letting it out into the outdoors. This is a low-cost option for your household, as it helps conserve energy.
John Lewis offers a wide selection of tumble dryers. They offer vented and heat pump models. Find out more about them in our guide to tumble dryers.
Cost
Tumble dryers are ideal for reducing space and reducing the need to dry laundry in the sunlight however they can consume a lot of energy. If you're looking to reduce your energy consumption, it may be worth considering switching to an energy-efficient tumble dryer. Although these machines have a higher initial cost, they will save you money in the end due to their lower energy consumption.
They work on the basis of heating the air that was warmed up during the drying process. This results in significantly lower energy bills than vented or condensation models. This kind of tumble dryer uses less electricity than vented or condenser models, which can save you up to PS173 on your utility bills each year.
When you compare the cost of a pump tumble dryer with other types, the price difference is usually minimal. It is important to consider the amount of energy consumed and the frequency you use your tumble dryer. It is important to take into account the wattage of the dryer and also your electricity bill, which will influence the price you 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're powered by mains-gas. They also have a smaller range in the places they can be installed since they need to be placed in an area with adequate ventilation to expel the humid air.
heat-pump tumble dryer eliminate moisture from the laundry by moving hot air into a separate condensing unit, which converts it into water. This water is then drained away either into a removable container which needs to be emptied manually or be plumbed into your drainage system to ensure continuous removal. This allows for greater flexibility when it comes to installation locations, but you will need to be prepared for extra maintenance by ensuring the drain pipe is in good shape.
Energy efficiency
If you're worried about your electricity bills, a tumbler heat pump could provide substantial savings. The technology uses less electricity to warm the air in the tumble dryer, allowing it to dry your clothes more efficiently and at lower temperatures than vented models.
They also use a coolant that disperses the humidity in the air and then releases it through the condenser, meaning they require less electricity to operate than traditional vented models. They may take longer to complete your laundry cycle than vented dryers but your clothes will be looking and more comfortable longer due to the lower drying temperatures.
Typically they'll cost you between $500 and $700 more upfront than condenser dryers, but this additional cost is offset by the savings you'll make on your energy costs in the long haul. They're 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 permanently connected to your appliance at one end and an outlet point - whether a drain or a window or door - at the other. The hose can't be shared or used in a manner that could cause damage.
Like heat pump dryers, a condenser dryer operates by heating the air with an electrical element, and then expelling the moisture through the condensation tray. They're usually heavy-duty dryers with higher capacity for wet loads, ranging from 6kg to 10kg. They also operate more quietly. They're more expensive to purchase than tumble dryers that use heat pumps and they can't be installed without a permanent wall connection. The cost of running them is also higher than heat pump dryers, because they require 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 rotates your laundry.
Noise
Tumble dryers make lots of noise however the level of loudness is dependent on a variety of variables. The decibel rating is only one of them, but the frequency of the noise will also affect how loud it is. The sound could be amplified in the event that there are any resonant objects in the vicinity like cabinets, work surfaces, or furniture. It can also be affected by the room's acoustics. The sound produced by the tumble dryer could be slowed by acoustic absorbent material like carpets, or be drowned out by other appliances operating in your home.
Condenser and heat pumps are quieter than vented dryers, however, they're still noisy. They are gentler on fabrics, drying your laundry more slowly with lower temperatures and a much longer cycle than traditional models. They're less damaging to clothing and less likely to cause colour loss, which is often associated with tumble dryers of the past that make use of high temperatures.
If you're planning to utilize your tumble dryer in conjunction with a washing machine, it's important to remember that both appliances need to be placed in close proximity to each other to prevent vibrations and noise when they are in use. To avoid this problem, the washer and dryer stacking set is available for both types of appliances.
A tumbler with a heat pump needs to have an uninterrupted flow of air to function, therefore it's best placed in a well-ventilated space in your home. It is essential to ensure that the vent hose is connected to the appliance and securely positioned out of your home instead of being directed through a door or window.
The condenser dryer does not require a permanent connection to vents, and can be put anywhere in your house. It stores the vapour and water in a container that can either be manually empty or connected to a drain via the drainage tube that will automatically empty it.
Converting a vented tumble-dryer to condenser dryer can be done with a conversion kit. However, this will end the warranty provided by the manufacturer and should only by done by a qualified professional. The kits contain the components needed to install an air vent as well as a small water pump to eliminate the condensation, so they're not inexpensive.
Maintenance
A heat pump tumble dryer works differently to condenser or vented models because it doesn't require venting externally to draw out the hot air. Instead, the warm air that passes through your clothes is extracted and collected inside the appliance, which then runs it through a condenser that separates the water from the hot air and store it in a water tank (sometimes called a reservoir) inside the machine. You will have to empty the water tank at some point however, you can store the dryer in the same space as if you have a vent.
In comparison to vented models the heat pump model consumes approximately 50% less energy. According to Which? it is also less expensive to run. You can save between PS42 and PS51 per year. It's not cheap to purchase tumble dryers, so you must be able to afford the upfront costs.
A heat pump tumble dryer requires minimal maintenance, aside from cleaning the lint filters and looking for a buildup of dust on the heating unit once in a while. However, you need to clean the drain for condensation regularly and it will take longer than a vented tumbler to dry your clothes.
If you're looking for a cheap tumble dryer you might want to taking a look at an automatic model that stops when the laundry is finished to avoid over-drying that can damage your clothes. However, you'll have to manually programme the drying cycle and this can be a challenge in the event that you have many different fabrics in your wardrobe.
Brands like Beko and John Lewis provide tumble dryers that utilize heat pump, condenser, or vented technology. John Lewis offers a free home delivery and a 2-year guarantee. Check the warranty details before buying an appliance, especially one that is electrical like a tumble dryer. This will ensure that you are protected in the event of a malfunction or breakdown.