Ten Stereotypes About Dryers Heat Pump That Aren't Always True
Heat Pump Tumble Dryers
The tumble dryers of a heat pump recycle the hot air they use to dry your clothes instead of venting it out. This is a low-cost option for your household, as it helps conserve energy.
John Lewis has a range of tumble dryers that include condenser and vented models and heat pump tumble dryers. Find out more about them in our guide to tumble dryers.
Cost
Tumble dryers can be useful for reducing space and making it less necessary to dry laundry in the sun however they can consume a lot of electricity. When looking to reduce your energy costs you might want to considering switching to the use of a heat pump tumbler. While these machines do have a higher upfront cost, they can save you money in the end because of their lower energy consumption.
They work by heating the air that was already heated during the drying process which results in lower energy bills than condenser or vented models. This type of tumble dryer typically uses about half the electricity as a vented condenser model, and as such can save you as much as PS173 per year on your energy bills.
When comparing the performance of heat tumble dryers with pumps versus other models, there is generally a small cost difference. It is essential to think about the amount of energy required and how frequently you will use your tumble dryer. You will need to consider the wattage and your electricity bill in determining how much each tumble dryer will cost you.
Vented tumble dryers use gas to dry laundry and are powered by gas mains and are therefore an expensive option for those on a tight budget. They are also more limited in the places they can be installed since they must be located in a space that has adequate ventilation to expel the damp air.
Condenser dryers remove moisture from the laundry by transferring hot air into an individual condensing unit which converts it into water. This water can either be drained into a removable container that has to be manually empty, or it can be transferred into your drainage system to eliminate it continuously. This gives you more flexibility when it comes to installation locations, but you will need to prepare for additional maintenance by making sure that the drain pipe is in good condition.
Energy efficiency
If you're concerned about your energy bills, a tumble dryer heat pump can offer significant savings. The technology uses less power to heat the air inside the tumble dryer. This lets it dry clothes more efficiently and at a lower temperatures than vented models.
The dryers also use cooling fluid to reduce the humidity in the air which is then released through the condenser. This means that they use less electricity than the traditional vented dryers. They may take longer to finish your cycle of laundry than vented dryers but your clothes will be looking and more comfortable longer because of the lower drying temperatures.
Typically they'll cost you between $500 to $700 more upfront than condenser dryers. However, this additional cost is offset by the savings you'll earn on your energy costs over the long term. They're also more expensive and must be installed in rooms that have adequate ventilation.
Gas Safe engineers are required to install tumble dryers similar to any other electrical appliance. Ventilated dryers require a long flexible vent hose that's permanently connected to your appliance at one end and a drainage point - either the drain or a door - at the other. The hose needs to be secured in place and shouldn't be shared with another appliance or used in any manner that could lead to its deterioration.
Similar to heat pump dryers, a condenser dryer is a type of dryer that heats the air with an electrical element before expelling the moisture through the condensation tray. They are usually heavy-duty dryers that have higher wet load capacities, ranging between 6 and 10 kg. They also operate more quietly. However, they're more expensive than heat pump tumble dryers and aren't suited for installations that don't have a permanent connection to the wall. The cost of running them is also higher than heat pump dryers, because they require more heat to dry out the moisture in your laundry. They are 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
The noise generated by tumble dryers is very loud, but the volume depends on several factors. The decibel rating will only be one of many factors. The frequency of the sound also affects the volume at which it sounds. The sound can also be amplified by resonant objects in the vicinity, such as cabinets, work surfaces or furniture, and it may be affected by the room's acoustics. The sound of your tumble dryer might be obstructed by carpets or any other acoustic absorbent material.
Condenser and heat pump tumble dryers are quieter than vented models, but it's important to keep in mind that they're still noisy. They're gentler on your fabrics, and dry your laundry less quickly due to lower temperatures of air and a longer cycle than traditional models. This means they're less damaging to your clothes and are less likely to cause the loss of colour that's often associated with high temperature old-fashioned tumble dryers.
If you plan to utilize your tumble dryer together with washing machines it's important to remember that the two appliances must be located close each other to prevent noise and vibrations during operation. To avoid this problem 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 must be located in a location that is well-ventilated in your home. The vent hose must be connected permanently to the appliance and routed securely to the outside of your home.
The condenser dryer isn't need to be permanently connected to vents, and can be placed anywhere in your home. It stores the vapour and water leftover in a container that can be manually emptied, or connected to a drain via the drainage pipe, which will automatically empty it.
Converting a vented tumble-dryer into a condenser dryer is possible by using the conversion kit. However, this will affect the manufacturer's warranty and should only by performed by a trained professional. The kits come with the components required to set up a vent and a small water pump to remove the condensation, therefore they're not inexpensive.
Maintenance
The heat pump tumble dryers operate differently than condenser or vented machines because they don't require external venting for the purpose of removing hot air. The warm air that is blown over your clothes is absorbed and then pumped through a condenser, which is able to separate the water from the heated air. It is then disposed in a water reservoir (sometimes called a tank) within the appliance. This means that you'll need to empty the tank at some point but it also permits you to store the dryer in smaller spaces than if you had to put in a vent for the machine.
The heat pump model is approximately 50 percent more efficient than vented models. According to Which?, it is also more economical to run. You can save between PS42 and PS51 per year. That said, it's not a cheap tumble dryer to purchase and you need to be sure to budget the initial costs.
In general the tumble dryer that is powered by a heat pump needs minimal maintenance, other than cleaning the lint filter and checking for any dust particles around the heater unit now and again. You will have to clean your condensation drain more often and it takes longer to dry your clothes than dryers with vented vents.
Consider a sensor-controlled tumble dryer if you're looking for a low-cost model. The sensor will stop the machine automatically when your laundry is finished by preventing excessive drying and harm to your clothes. However, you'll need to manually program the drying cycle, and this can be a hassle when you have a lot of different fabrics in your wardrobe.
Brands such as Beko and John Lewis provide tumble dryers that use condenser, heat pump, or vented technology. John Lewis offers a free home delivery and a 2-year warranty. You should always check the warranty details carefully before purchasing any appliance, particularly an electrical appliance like a tumble dryer, to make sure you're covered in case of faults or breakdowns.