Heat Pump Tumble Dryers

Heat pump tumble dryers reuse the hot air that they use to dry your clothes, instead of venting it to the outside. This is a cost-effective solution for your household as it helps conserve energy.

John Lewis has a range of tumble dryers, including condenser and vented models and heat pump tumble dryers. Find out more about tumble dryers in our guide.

Cost

Tumble dryers are great for reducing the need to hang laundry outside in the sun, and also for saving space when it comes to storage, but they also tend to use quite much energy. If you're looking to reduce your energy costs it might be worth looking into a heat pump tumble dryer. Although these dryers do have a higher upfront cost, they will save you money over the long term because of their lower energy consumption.

The heat pump tumble dryers operate by reheating air that was already 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 approximately half the energy as a vented or condenser model, and could save you up to PS173 per year on your utility bills.

When you compare the cost of a pump tumble dryer against other types, the price difference is usually not significant. But, it's important to keep in mind the amount of energy that is being used and the frequency you'll be using your tumble dryer. You'll need to factor in the wattage of the machine and also your electricity bill, which will influence the amount you have to pay for each tumble dry.

Vented tumble dryers are more expensive in the event of a tight budget. They utilize gas to dry your laundry and they are powered by mains gas. They are also more limited in their installation locations because they require a room with appropriate ventilation to let out the damp air.

Condenser dryers remove the moisture from your laundry by transferring hot humid air to separate units where it is transformed into water. The water can be removed into a container that must be manually emptied, or it can be pumped into the drainage system to remove it constantly. This gives you more flexibility when it comes to installation places, but you'll need to prepare for additional maintenance by making sure that the drain pipe is in good working order.

Energy efficiency

If you're worried about your energy bills, a tumbler heat pump can provide significant savings. The technology requires less electricity to warm the air inside the tumble dryer, allowing it to dry your clothes faster and at lower temperatures than vented models.

The dryers also use an aerator to liquefy the air's humidity, which is then ejected through the condenser. This means that they use less electricity than the traditional vented models. They might take a bit longer to complete your laundry cycle than vented dryers but your clothes will stay looking and more comfortable longer because of the lower drying temperatures.

They'll cost you an additional $500-$700 upfront but the energy savings will easily 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 a long, flexible vent hose that's permanently connected to the appliance at one end and an outlet point - whether a drain or Heat pump tumble a door at the other. The hose should be secured and can't be shared with another appliance or used in any way that could cause it to deteriorate.

Condenser dryers work similarly similar to heat pump dryers. They use an electrical element to heat the air, and then release the moisture via a condensation tray. They're usually heavy-duty dryers, with greater wet load capacities, heat pump tumble ranging from 6kg to 10kg. They also run more quietly. However, they're more costly than heat pump tumble dryers and aren't suited for installations that don't have an ongoing connection to the wall. The cost of running them is also 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. However, they use a fair amount of electricity as they turn the motor that spins your laundry.

Noise

Tumble dryers generate plenty of noise, but the volume they emit is contingent on a variety of factors. The decibel rating is only one of them, but the frequency of the noise will affect how loud it sounds. The sound could be amplified if there are any resonant objects in the vicinity like work surfaces, cabinets or furniture. It could also be affected by the room's acoustics. The sound from the tumble dryer could be dampened by acoustic absorbent materials like carpets, or be drowned out by other appliances that are operating in your home.

Condenser and heat pump models are quieter than vented dryers, however they're still loud. They are less harsh on fabrics and dry your laundry faster due to lower temperatures of air. They also have a longer cycle. They are less damaging to clothes and less likely to cause colour loss that is typically associated with tumble dryers of the past that make use of high temperatures.

If you're planning to use your tumble dryer primarily together with a washing machine it is crucial to remember that both appliances should be located close to each other in order to avoid the noise and vibrations that occur when they are in use. To avoid this issue there is a washer and dryer stacking set is available for both types of appliances.

The tumble dryers of a heat pump require continuous flow of air to work, therefore they should be placed in a location that is well ventilated in your home. You'll need to ensure that the vent hose is connected to the appliance and securely routed outside of your house, rather than redirected through a door or window.

The condenser tumble dryer, on the other hand isn't requiring an ongoing connection to a vent and can be put in any place in your home. It collects the water and vapour left over in a container that can be manually empty, or connected to a drain via an drainage pipe that will automatically empty it.

It is possible to convert a vented tumbler into a condenser model by using a conversion kit, but this could void the manufacturer's warranty and should only be done by a certified professional. These kits come with the components to set up vents, as well with a small pump to remove condensation.

Maintenance

The heat pump tumble dryers operate differently from vented or condenser machines as they don't require venting outside for the purpose of removing hot air. Instead, the warm air that is passing through your clothes is collected and absorbed 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 less space than if you were to install a vent in the machine.

The heat pump model is about 50 percent more efficient than vented models. This makes it much cheaper to run, saving you around PS42-PS51 per year according to Which?, and it's also better for the environment. It's not cheap to buy a tumble dryer, therefore you should be able to afford the upfront costs.

In general, a heat pump tumble dryer needs only minimal maintenance, besides clearing the lint filter and checking for any fluff around the heating unit now and again. You'll have to clean your drains of condensation more frequently and it takes longer to dry your clothes than dryers with vented vents.

If you're in the market for a low-cost tumble dryer you might want to looking into an automatic model that stops when the laundry is finished to avoid drying too long that could damage your clothes. However, you'll need to program the drying cycle and this can be a hassle in the event that you have many different clothes in your wardrobe.

You can choose from a variety of tumble dryers heat dryers from brands such as Beko and John Lewis which use condenser, heat pump or vented technologies. John Lewis offers a free home delivery service and a two-year warranty. Check the warranty details before purchasing an appliance, particularly one that is electrical, such as a tumble dryer. This will ensure that you are protected in the event of a problem or breakdown.