The tumble dryers that use heat pumps make use of hot air to dry your clothes instead of letting it out into the outdoors. This helps save energy, making it a cost-efficient option for your household.
John Lewis offers a wide variety of tumble dryers. They offer heat pump and vented models. Learn more about the options in our guide to tumble dryers.
Cost
Tumble dryers are fantastic for reducing the need to hang laundry outside in the sun and to save space for storage, but they also tend to use quite a lot of energy. If you are looking to cut down on your energy consumption you might want to trying the use of a heat pump tumbler. They are more expensive initially, but they can save you money over time because of their lower energy consumption.
The heat pump tumble dryers function by heating the air that was already warmed up during the drying process which results in lower energy costs than condenser models vented or vented. This type of tumble dryer typically uses up to half as much energy 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 cost of a pump tumble dryer versus other types, the difference is usually not significant. It is essential to think about the amount of energy consumed and how often you use your tumble dryer. You'll have to consider the wattage of the machine and also your electricity rate which will determine the price you have to pay for each tumble dry.
Vented tumble dryers use gas to dry laundry and are powered by gas mains and are therefore an expensive option when you're on a strict budget. They also have a smaller range in their installation locations because they require a room with appropriate ventilation to expel the damp air.
Condenser dryers remove moisture from the laundry by moving hot air into a separate condensing unit, which converts it into water. This water can either be drained into a removable container which must be manually emptied or transferred into your drainage system to remove it continuously. This allows you to install the system in various locations. However, you will need to conduct additional maintenance on the drain pipe.
Energy efficiency
A tumble dryer's heat-pump can help you save money on your energy costs. The technology requires less energy to heat the air inside the tumble dryer. This enables it to dry clothes more efficiently and at a lower temperatures than vented models.
They also use a coolant that liquifies the humidity in the air and then releases it through the condenser, meaning they require less electricity to operate than traditional vented models. The dryers may take a bit longer to finish your laundry cycle than vented models, but your clothes will look and feel better for longer because of the lower temperatures.
They can cost anywhere from $500-$700 upfront however the energy savings will make up for this. They're also a larger investment and must be installed in rooms that have adequate ventilation.
Like all electrical appliances, it's essential that the installation of a tumble dryer is done by an Gas Safe engineer. A vented dryer requires a long, flexible vent hose that is permanently connected to the appliance at one end and a drainage hole at the other end - either a drain or window. This hose cannot be shared or used in a way that could cause damage.
Condenser dryers operate in a similar way as heat pump dryers. They employ an electric element to heat the air before releasing the moisture through the condensation tray. They tend to be heavier-duty dryers with greater capacities for wet loads that range from 6kg to 10kg, and are more quiet to operate. However, they're more costly than heat pump tumble dryers to buy and aren't suitable for installations without an ongoing connection to the wall. They're also more expensive to operate than heat pump dryers since they require lots of heat to remove the water from your laundry, and aren't as efficient as vented models. They still use electricity to turn the motor which rotates your laundry.
Noise
Tumble dryers make a lot of noise however, how loud they are is contingent on a variety of factors. The decibel rating will be one of the many variables. The frequency of the sound will also influence how loud it sounds. The sound may also be amplified by resonant objects in the vicinity, such as cabinets, work surfaces or furniture, and could be affected by the room's acoustics. The sound of the tumble dryer may be slowed by acoustic absorbent materials like carpets, or it can be drowned out by other appliances within your home.
Condenser and heat pump dryers are quieter than vented models, but it's important to remember that they're still noisy. They're gentler on fabrics, drying your laundry more slowly with lower temperatures of air and a much longer cycle than traditional models. This means that they're less damaging to your clothes and are less likely to cause loss of colour that's often associated with high temperature old-fashioned tumble dryers.
If you plan to use your tumble dryer primarily in conjunction with washing machine it is important to remember that both appliances need to be placed in close proximity to each other in order to avoid vibrations and noise during operation. To avoid this issue there is a washer and dryer stacking set is available for both kinds of appliances.
The tumble dryers of a heat pump require an ongoing flow of air in order to perform, and therefore should be placed in an area which is well ventilated within your home. It is essential to ensure that the vent hose is permanently connected to the appliance and that it's securely positioned out of your home instead of being redirected through a door or window.
Condenser tumble dryer on the other hand isn't requiring a permanent connection to a vent and can be installed anywhere in your home. It collects the leftover vapour and water in a container that can either be manually emptied or connected to a drain via an drainage tube, which will automatically empty it.
Converting a vented tumble dryer into condenser dryer is feasible with an conversion kit. However, it will invalidate the warranty of the manufacturer and should only by done by a qualified professional. The kits come with components needed to put in vents, aswell as a small pump to eliminate condensation.
Maintenance
A tumble dryer with a heat pump differs from condenser or vented models because it doesn't require external venting to remove the hot air. The warm air that is blown over your clothes is absorbed and then run through a condenser that is used to separate the water from the heated air. It is then collected in a water reservoir (sometimes called a tank) inside the appliance. This means you will need to empty the water tank at some time, but it also allows you to store the dryer in smaller spaces than if you needed to install a vent for the dryer.
In comparison to vented models the heat pump model uses approximately 50 percent less energy. This makes it much cheaper to run, allowing you to save an average of PS42-PS51 each year according to Which?, and is also more sustainable for the environment. It's not cheap to purchase a tumble dryer, so you'll need to be able afford the upfront costs.
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 each time. However, you have to clean the drain for condensation frequently and it will take longer than a vented dryer to dry your clothes.
Consider a sensor-controlled tumble dryer when you're looking to buy a low-cost model. This will stop the machine after your laundry is done by preventing excessive drying and harm to your clothes. However, you'll need to program the drying cycle, and this could be a pain if you have lots of different clothes in your wardrobe.
You can find a range of tumble dryers from brands such as Beko and John Lewis that use condenser, heat pumps or vented technologies. John Lewis offers a free home delivery and a two-year guarantee. You should always check the warranty information carefully prior to purchasing an appliance, particularly one that is electrical like a tumble dryer, to make sure you're covered in the event of breakdowns or malfunctions.
