Heat Pump Tumble Dryers
Heat pump tumble dryers recycle the hot air that they use to dry your clothes instead of venting it out. This is a cost-effective solution for your family, since it helps conserve energy.
John Lewis has a range of tumble dryers that include condenser and vented models as well as heat pump tumble dryers. Learn more about the options in our guide to tumble dryers.
Cost
Tumble dryers are great for saving space and reducing the need to dry laundry in the sun however they can consume a lot of energy. If you’re looking to lower your energy consumption, it might be worth switching to a heating-pump tumble dryer. They are more expensive at first, but they will save you money over time because of their lower energy consumption.
Heat pump tumble dryers work by reheating the air that has already been warmed up during the drying process and results in lower energy bills than condenser models vented or vented. This type of tumble dryer typically consumes about half the electricity as a vented condenser model, and as such can save you as much as PS173 per year on Sale your energy bills.
When comparing heat pump tumble dryers to other types, there’s typically a minimal cost difference. It is crucial to take into consideration the amount of energy required and how often you use your tumble dryer. It is important to consider the wattage and your electricity bill when calculating how much each tumble dryer will cost you.
Vented tumble dryers are more expensive if your budget is tight. They use gas to dry your laundry and they’re powered by mains-gas. They also have a smaller range in their installation locations because they must be located in a room with appropriate ventilation to get rid of the humid air.
Condenser dryers remove the moisture from your laundry by moving hot humid air to a separate unit where it is transformed into water. The water can be taken out of a container that has to be manually emptied or pumped into your drainage system to eliminate it constantly. This allows for greater flexibility with install locations, but you will have to be prepared for any additional maintenance by ensuring the drain pipe is in good shape.
Energy efficiency
A tumble dryer heat-pump will help you save money on energy bills. The technology uses less electrical power to warm the air inside the tumble dryer, which enables it to dry your clothes more effectively and at lower temperatures than vented models.
The dryers also make use of a coolant to liquefy the humidity in the air and then discharge it through the condenser. This means they use less electricity than the traditional vented dryers. The dryers might take a bit longer to complete your laundry cycle than vented models, however the clothes will look and feel better for longer due to the lower temperatures.
Typically they’ll cost you between $500 to $700 more upfront than condenser dryers heat pump but this extra expense is easily offset by the savings you’ll earn on your energy costs over the long haul. They’re also more expensive and must be installed in rooms that have adequate ventilation.
Gas Safe engineers are required to install tumble dryers, On sale similar to any other electrical appliance. A vented dryer requires a long, flexible vent hose that is permanently connected the appliance at one end and a drainage hole at the other end – the drain, window or door. This hose must be properly secured in place and shouldn’t be shared with other appliance or used in any way that could cause it to deteriorate.
Condenser dryers work similarly as heat pump dryers. They employ an electric element to heat the air before releasing the moisture via a condensation tray. They’re typically heavy-duty dryers, with greater wet load capacities, ranging from 6kg – 10kg. They also operate more quietly. However, they’re more costly than heat pump tumble dryers to buy and aren’t suited for installations that don’t have an ongoing connection to the wall. They’re also more expensive to run than heat pump dryers because they need to generate plenty of heat to remove the water from your laundry. They also aren’t as efficient as vented models. They still require electricity to turn the motor which rotates your laundry.
Noise
Tumble dryers make plenty of noise however, the level of loudness is contingent on a variety of variables. The decibel rating is only one of them, and the frequency of the noise can affect how loud it sounds. The sound may also be amplified by nearby resonant objects such as cabinets, work surfaces or furniture, and could be affected by the acoustics of the room. The sound of the tumble dryer could be slowed by acoustic absorbent material such as carpets, or it can be drowned out by other appliances operating within your home.
Condenser and heat pump models are quieter than vented dryers but they are still noisy. They’re gentler on fabrics, drying your laundry less quickly due to lower temperatures and a much longer cycle than traditional models. They’re less damaging to clothes and less likely to cause color loss that is typically associated with old-fashioned tumble dryers which use high temperatures.
If you’re planning to use your tumble dryer mostly in conjunction with washing machines, it’s crucial to remember that both appliances should be located close each other to prevent the noise and vibrations that occur when they are in use. To avoid this issue, a washer and dryer stacking set is available for both kinds of appliances.
A tumble dryer that is a heat pump needs to have a continuous flow of air in order to function, which is why it is best to place it in a well-ventilated area in your home. The vent hose needs to be permanently connected to the appliance and then routed safely outside of your home.
The condenser dryer does not need to be permanently connected to vents, and can be put anywhere within your home. It stores the vapour and water into a condensation container that can either be manually empty or connected to a drain via the drainage tube that will automatically empty it.
It is possible to transform a vented tumbler into a condenser model using the conversion kit, but this will invalidate the manufacturer warranty and should only be carried out by a certified professional. These kits include the parts needed to install a vent and a small water pump to eliminate the condensation, therefore they’re not inexpensive.
Maintenance
A heat pump tumble dryer is different from condenser or vented models because it doesn’t require venting outside to draw out the hot air. Instead the warm air that is passing through your clothes is collected and absorbed inside the appliance and then pushed through a condenser that separates the water from the hot air and 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 needed to install a vent for the machine.
The heat pump model is approximately 50 percent more energy efficient than vented models. According to Which? it is also more economical to run. It can save you between PS42 and PS51 per year. It’s not cheap to purchase a tumble dryer, so you should be able to afford the upfront costs.
In general, a heat pump tumble dryer needs little maintenance other than clearing the lint filter and looking for any fluff around the heating unit now and again. You will have to clean your drains of condensation more frequently and it takes longer to dry clothes than a vented dryer.
Consider a sensor-controlled tumble dryer If you’re looking for a low-cost model. This will stop the machine when your laundry is finished, preventing over-drying and damaging your clothes. You’ll have to manually programme your dryer’s drying process if you have a lot of different clothes.
Brands such as Beko and John Lewis provide tumble dryers that utilize condenser, heat pump or vented technology. All come with a two-year warranty, and John Lewis has excellent customer reviews and free home delivery. You should always check the warranty details carefully prior to purchasing an appliance, particularly one that is electrical like a tumbler to make sure you’re covered in case of breakdowns or malfunctions.