Heat Pump Tumble Dryers
Heat pump tumble dryers reuse the hot air that they use to dry your clothes, rather than venting it outside. This is a low-cost option for your family, since it saves energy.
John Lewis offers a wide range of tumble dryers. They offer heat pump and vented models. Find out more in our guide to tumble dryers.
Cost
Tumble dryers are great for eliminating the need to hang laundry outside in the sun, and also for saving space for storage, but they also tend to use quite a lot of energy. If you're looking to lower your energy bills you might consider switching to a heating-pump tumble dryer. They are more expensive initially, however they can save you money over time 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 vented or condensation models. This type of tumble dryer typically uses about half the electricity as a vented or condenser model, and as such can save you as much as PS173 per year on your utility bills.
When it comes to comparing the price of a heat pump tumble dryer versus other types, the price difference is usually minimal. It is crucial to take into consideration the amount of energy used and the frequency you use your tumble dryer. It is important to consider the wattage of your appliance and your electricity tariff when calculating how much each tumble dryer will cost you.
Vented tumble dryers can be 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 less flexible in their locations of installation because they must be located in a room with appropriate ventilation to let out the damp air.
Condenser dryers eliminate the moisture from your laundry by moving hot humid air into separate units which is then converted into water. This water can either be drained into a removable container that has to be manually emptied or pumped into your drainage system to eliminate it continuously. This gives you more flexibility when it comes to installation locations, but you will need to be prepared for extra maintenance by ensuring that the drain pipe is in good shape.
Energy efficiency
If you're concerned about your energy bills, a tumbler heat pump can provide significant savings. The technology uses less power to heat the air inside the tumble dryer. This enables it to dry clothes more efficiently and at lower temperatures than vented models.
They also utilize a coolant that helps to liquefy the humidity in the air and ejects it through the condenser. This means they use less power to run than traditional vented dryers. 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'll cost you an additional $500 to $700 up front, but the energy savings will cover this. They are also more expensive and require adequate ventilation.
Gas Safe engineers are required to install tumble dryers similar to any other electrical appliance. A vented dryer requires an extended flexible vent hose permanently connected to your appliance at one end and the drainage point - which could be an outlet or a window or door at the other. The hose needs to be secured and can't be shared with another appliance or used in any manner that could cause it to deteriorate.
Like heat pump dryers, a condenser dryer works by heating the air using an electrical element, and then expels the moisture via a 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. They are more expensive to purchase than heat pump tumble driers and they can't be installed without an permanent wall connection. The cost of running them is more expensive than heat pump dryers because they require more heat to evaporate the moisture in your laundry. They're also less efficient than vented models. However, they do still use a fair amount of power as they turn the motor that spins your laundry.
Noise
Tumble dryers generate lots of noise, but the volume they emit depends on a number of factors. The decibel rating will be one of the many variables. The frequency of the sound also affects how loud it sounds. The sound can also be amplified by resonant objects in the vicinity, such as work surfaces, cupboards or furniture, and could be affected by the room's acoustics. The sound produced by the tumble dryer could be slowed by acoustic absorbent materials like carpets, or be drowned out by other appliances that are operating in your home.
Condenser and heat pump dryers are quieter than vented models, however it's important to remember that they're still loud. They are more gentle on your clothes and dry your laundry faster because of lower temperatures. They also have a longer cycle. This means they're less damaging to your clothes and are less likely to cause loss of color that is often caused by high temperatures, old fashioned tumble dryers.
It is important to keep in mind that if you plan to use your tumbler dryer primarily with a washer machine both appliances should be placed close to each other to prevent vibrations or noises during operation. To avoid this issue there is the washer and dryer stacking set is available for both kinds of appliances.
They require continuous flow of air in order to work, therefore they should be set up in a space that is well-ventilated in your home. You'll need to ensure that the vent hose is permanently connected to the appliance, and it's safely positioned outside your home instead of being redirecting it through a door or window.
The condenser dryer isn't require a permanent connection to a vent, and can be placed wherever within your home. It stores the vapour and water in a condensation container that is either manually emptied or connected to a drain by the drainage tube that will automatically empty it.
Converting a vented tumble-dryer into a condenser dryer is possible with the conversion kit. However, it will invalidate the manufacturer's warranty and should only be done by a certified professional. These kits include the parts needed to install an air vent as well as a small water pump to remove the condensation, therefore they're not inexpensive.
Maintenance
A tumble dryer with a heat pump is different from condenser or vented models since it doesn't require venting outside to draw out the hot air. The warm air that flows through your clothes is captured and then run through a condenser, which separates the heated water from the air. It is then disposed in a reservoir of water (sometimes called a tank) within the appliance. You will have to empty the tank at some point, but you can keep the dryer in the same space as if you installed vents.
Comparatively to vented models, the heat pump model consumes around 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 a tumble dryer, therefore you'll need to be able pay for the initial cost.
In general, a tumble dryer with a heat pump requires only minimal maintenance, besides clearing the lint filter and checking for fluff around the heater unit now and again. However, tumble dryer with heat pump have to clean the drain of condensation frequently and it will take longer than a vented tumbler to dry your clothes.
Look into a sensor-controlled tumbler when you're looking to buy an affordable 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 program the drying cycle and this could be a pain when you have a lot of different fabrics in your wardrobe.
You can choose from a variety of tumble dryers from brands like Beko and John Lewis which use condenser, heat pumps 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 details carefully before you purchase an appliance, especially an electrical one like a tumble dryer, to ensure you're covered in case of breakdowns or malfunctions.