Heat pump tumble dryers are becoming more and more popular in the UK, and for good reason. Although they’re still more expensive to buy than vented or condenser machines, they more than make up for it with their energy-saving powers and lower running costs. In this guide we’ll explain how heat pump dryers work, how they’re different from other types of tumble dryers and the pros and cons of purchasing one.
What is a heat pump tumble dryer?
Heat pump tumble dryers are a relatively new type of tumble dryer that is different to a traditional vented dryer. Heat pumps have been used as an energy-saving technology in Switzerland and Germany for over a decade and it’s now really taking hold in the UK.
How does a heat pump tumble dryer work?
A heat pump tumble dryer passes warm air over your wet clothes and then has a condenser that separates the water and collects it in a water tank. The dry, warm air that’s left is then recycled and pumped back through the drum to help the clothes dry faster. The maximum temperature reached in a heat pump tumble dryer is 50°C, compared to a condenser tumble dryer which can reach 70-75°C.
This gives heat pump dryers the ultimate energy-saving prize – they’re head and shoulders above all the other tumble dryer types for energy efficiency. because it saves on electricity and cash. So it’s easy to see why heat pump dryers are becoming so popular.
How is this different to other types of tumble dryers?
Other types of dryers are vented and condenser tumble dryers. Neither type recycles the air it has already warmed, so they’re considerably less energy efficient than heat pump dryers.
Why should I get a heat pump tumble dryer?
1. It costs less to run
Heat pump technology reuses warm air, so you can expect your electricity bills to be about half those of vented or condenser tumble dryers.
Consumer website Which? tested heat pump dryers and found the average annual running cost of a heat pump dryer to be £37 compared with £80 for a vented dryer.
2. It’s better for the environment
A heat pump tumble dryer uses significantly less energy to dry your clothes. In some cases, as much as 50% less energy than vented or condenser models.
3. It protects your clothes
These tumble dryers don’t need to reach a massively high temperature to dry your clothes, which keeps them looking fresh for longer.
4. You can install it anywhere
You don’t need to plumb a heat pump tumble dryer into your water pipes, because all the moisture is stored in a plastic tank or reservoir that you manually empty into your sink. This means you can install one wherever is most convenient for your home. Vented tumble dryers often need to be plumbed in – or perhaps you’ve had one where you need to stick a pipe out of an open window to get rid of any condensation.
Why shouldn’t I get a heat pump tumble dryer?
1. It’s more expensive to buy
The price of heat pump tumble dryers has generally gone down over the last few years, but they’re still at least a couple of hundred pounds more to buy than the other types.
2. It dries clothes slower
A heat pump tumble dryer takes a bit longer to dry your laundry because it uses a lower drying temperature; 50°C, compared with 70-75°C for a condenser dryer. This protects your clothes in the long run, but it might hamper you if you need something drying quickly.
Do heat pump tumble dryers need plumbing?
No. For this reason you can install one anywhere in your home! The water from your wet laundry is collected in a tank, which you’ll need to regularly empty in the sink.
Do heat pump tumble dryers need a vent?
No. Again, the condenser and the tank mean that all the moisture is collected and you’ll just need to empty the water tank regularly.
Are heat pump tumble dryers any good?
Definitely. As long as you don’t mind the initial financial outlay in return for massively reduced running costs, in our opinion we would recommend them as the best choice for energy-efficiency and money-saving.
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FAQs
What’s the difference between a heat pump and a condenser dryer?
A heat pump tumble dryer passes warm air over your wet clothes, then the condenser separates the water and collects it in a water tank. The dry, warm air is then recycled. A condenser dryer uses the same condensing technology but doesn’t recycle the warm air. It reaches temperatures of 70-75°C compared to the heat pump tumble dryer (50°C).
Do heat pump tumble dryers need to be plumbed in?
No. For this reason you can install one anywhere in your home! The water from your wet laundry is collected in a tank, which you’ll need to regularly empty in the sink.
Do you need to empty water from a heat pump dryer?
Yes. The dryer works by pumping warm air through the clothes and collecting the condensed water in a tank. You can easily empty the tank out into the bath or sink.