Heat Pump Tumble Dryers
The tumble dryers of a heat pump make use of hot air to dry your clothes instead of venting it outdoors. This is a cost-effective option for your household as it conserves energy.
John Lewis offers a wide range of tumble dryers. They include heated and vented models. Find out more in our guide to tumble dryers.
Cost
Tumble dryers can be ideal for reducing space and making it less necessary to dry laundry in the sun however, they do use a lot of electricity. If you are looking to cut down on your energy costs, it may be worth trying the use of a heat pump tumbler. 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 heating the air that was warmed up during the drying process. This results in lower energy bills than vented or condensation models. This type of tumble dryer consumes half the electricity as condenser or vented models, allowing you to save up to PS173 on your energy bills every year.
When it comes to comparing the cost of a heat pump tumble dryer versus other models, the difference is usually negligible. However, it's important to consider the amount of energy that is being used and the frequency you'll use your tumble dryer. You'll need to factor in the wattage of your machine as well as your electricity tariff, which will influence how much you pay for each tumble dry.
Vented tumble dryers are more expensive in the event of a tight budget. They make use of gas to dry your laundry, and they're powered by mains-gas. They are also more limited in their locations of installation because they must be located in a space that has adequate ventilation to get rid of the humid air.
Condenser dryers remove the moisture from your laundry by moving hot, humid air into an additional unit where it is transformed into water. This water can either be removed into a container which must be manually emptied, or it can be transferred into the drainage system to remove it constantly. This gives you more flexibility in the installation places, but you'll need to be prepared for any additional maintenance by ensuring that the drain pipe is in good working order.
Energy efficiency
If you're worried about your energy costs, a tumble dryer heat pump can provide significant savings. The technology requires less energy to heat the air inside the tumble dryer. This lets it dry clothes more efficiently and at lower temperatures than vented models.
They also use a coolant that disperses the air's humidity and then releases it through the condenser. This means they use less power to run than traditional vented models. Dryers may take a bit longer to finish your laundry cycle than vented models, however the clothes will appear and feel better for longer due to the lower temperatures.
They can cost anywhere from $500 to $700 up front, but the energy savings could easily make up for this. Read Homepage and should be placed in rooms with adequate ventilation.
Like all electrical appliances, it's vital that the installation of a tumble dryer is done by a Gas Safe engineer. Ventilated dryers require an elongated, flexible vent hose that is permanently connected the appliance at one end and a drainage hole at the other end - either a drain, window or door. The hose should be secured in place and cannot be shared with another appliance or used in any manner that could cause it to degrade.
As with heat pump dryers, a condenser dryer works by heating the air by using an electrical element and then expelling the moisture through the condensation tray. They are usually heavy-duty dryers with higher capacity for wet loads, which range between 6 and 10 kg. They also run more quietly. However, they're more expensive than heat pump tumble dryers to buy and aren't suitable for installations without a permanent connection to the wall. 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're less efficient than vented models. They still use electricity to turn the motor that rotates your clothes.
Noise
Tumble dryers produce lots of noise, but the volume they emit depends on a number of variables. The decibel rating will only be one factor. The frequency of the sound also affects how loud it sounds. The sound could be amplified in the event that there are resonant objects nearby like cabinets, work surfaces, or furniture. It could also be affected by the room's acoustics. The sound of your tumble dryer may be muffled by carpets or any other acoustic absorbent material.
Condenser and heat pump models are quieter than vented dryers, however they're still loud. They're gentler on fabrics, drying your laundry less quickly due to lower temperatures and a longer cycle than traditional models. They're less damaging to clothes and less likely to cause color loss which is usually associated with tumble dryers of the past which use high temperatures.
It's important to remember that if you plan to use your tumbler dryer primarily with a washer machine, the two appliances should be placed near to each other to prevent vibrations or noises when operating. A stacking kit is available to prevent this problem, and can be purchased for both kinds of appliances.
A tumbler with a heat pump needs to have an uninterrupted flow of air to operate, so it's best to put it in a well-ventilated area in your home. The vent hose must be connected permanently to the appliance and positioned securely outside your home.
The condenser dryer does not require a permanent connection to vents, and can be placed wherever within your home. It stores the vapour and any water left in containers that can be manually emptied, or connected to a drain using an drainage pipe that will automatically empty it.
Converting a vented tumble dryer into condenser dryer can be done using a conversion kit. However, this will end the warranty provided by the manufacturer and should be performed by a trained professional. These kits come with the components needed to put in a vent, as well as a small pump to remove condensation.
Maintenance
The heat pump tumble dryers function differently from condenser or vented machines because they don't require external venting for the purpose of removing hot air. Instead, the warm air that passes through your clothes is extracted and collected inside the appliance itself, which then runs it through a condenser to separate the hot water from the cool air and collect it in a tank (sometimes called a reservoir) inside the machine. This means you'll have to empty the water tank at some point, but it also allows you to keep the dryer in a smaller space than if you needed to install a vent in the dryer.
Compared to vented models, the heat pump model uses about 50 percent less energy. According to Which? it is also more economical to run. You can save PS42-PS51 per year. That said, it's not an inexpensive tumbler to purchase, and you should ensure you can afford the initial cost.
In general the tumble dryer that is powered by a heat pump needs little maintenance other than clearing the lint filter, and checking for fluff around the heater unit every now and then. You will have to clean your drains for condensation more frequently and it takes longer to dry your clothes than a vented dryer.
If you're in the market for a low-cost tumble dryer, it might be worth looking into a sensor model that automatically ends when laundry is done to prevent over-drying that can damage your clothes. However, you'll need to program the drying cycle and this can be a hassle when you have a lot of different clothes in your wardrobe.
You can find a range of tumble dryers from brands like Beko and John Lewis that use condenser, heat pumps or vented technology. All come with a two-year warranty, and John Lewis has excellent customer reviews and free delivery to homes. Always check the warranty details thoroughly prior to purchasing any appliance, particularly an electrical appliance like a tumbler to ensure you're covered in case of faults or breakdowns.