Are Heat Pump Tumble Dryers Any Good?
Tumble dryers are a staple in the household and can help us get our laundry dry without waiting for the sun to shine. But have you heard about the heat pump tumble dryer?
They operate at lower temperatures, are less harsh on your clothes and can save you money in the long run. But are they worth the extra cost at the beginning?

They're more efficient
Heat pump dryers are a great option for those who want to save energy. Heat pump models, unlike vented or condenser dryers are able to warm the air prior to blowing it over your laundry. Heat pump models can also store and reuse heat that is extracted from the air during drying. This helps to save money and energy.
As you can imagine, this is much more efficient than the traditional method of drying clothes that involve using a gas or oil burner to generate heat and then blowing it through your damp clothes to evaporate the moisture. It's important to keep it in mind that although they are more efficient than other kinds of tumble dryer, heat pump machines tend to take slightly longer to dry your laundry. They do this because they employ lower temperatures to safeguard delicate fabrics.
Heat pump tumble dryers can be quicker than hanging your clothes on the line, especially when you use the quick cycle settings. They can reduce drying time by as much as 30 minutes. Similarly they're more energy efficient than other tumble dryers when they are able to handle the full load of laundry.
While it takes longer drying your laundry in the end, the fact that heat pump dryers use less electricity than other tumble dryers means that they are much more economical to run. According to Which? research, the use of a heat pump dryer can cut your energy consumption by as much as PS43 per year compared with the typical vented or condenser tumble dryer.
However, if you're looking for an even more affordable method of getting your laundry dry, we would recommend considering investing in some fabric softener and adding dryer balls to your tumble dryer to maximise the warm airflow through your clothes and keep them from being damaged by the heat. Also, you should clean your lint filters regularly because a blocked filter can hinder the flow of air and reduce efficiency.
They're cheaper than other vehicles for running
As we all know that energy bills can be significant and making sure your appliances are as efficient as they can be will really help. Heat pump tumble dryers are more efficient than condenser and vented models, consuming up to 50% less energy per cycle. That's a huge amount of money saved!
The main reason for this is that they reuse warm air, rather than heating it from scratch like traditional machines do. They also operate at lower temperatures, which are not just more economical, but better for your clothes. The heat can cause shrinkage of fabrics and cause necklines to become irregularly shaped. Therefore, it is best to keep your laundry at a low temperature to avoid causing harm to it.
With the cost of energy at the highest they've been for quite a while it's crucial to seize every opportunity to save as much money as possible on your bills. A new tumble dryer that uses a heat pump could help you get there and more. It's estimated that an average vented tumbler costs PS1,928 to run, while an energy-efficient model would only cost around PS59 per year!
What's more, heat pump tumble dryers don't require a vent in order to work. This means that they can be used in any area in your home - even if you don't have an external wall or a gas line nearby. The hot air that is emitted by condenser and vented dryers has to be directed away from the drain. This can make them hard to locate and even more difficult to move should you ever decide to move your home.
They may cost more upfront than other tumble dryers but they quickly make up the difference in energy savings over the course of their lives. In addition, with prices steadily coming down as more and more are produced, it's well worth investing in a heat pump tumble dryer now to reap the rewards in the years to come.
They're quieter
These dryers are quieter because the heat pump technology does not convert warm air into water, as with vented models. As they're sealed, they do not require vents to let the damp air out making them an ideal choice for homes in small spaces where venting isn't readily available.
This also means they are much quieter while running. This could be an enormous benefit to anyone who would like their laundry day to be as relaxing and as quiet as they can!
It's important to note that your clothes dry faster at the lower temperature, which means the drying cycle may take up to half as long as a tumble dryer. This won't affect the quality of your clothes, but it may take a bit longer to return home and see a pile of clean laundry in your hallway.
You should also be aware that heat pump tumble dryers don't reverse the direction of the drum when drying. This can result in larger items (such duvet covers) becoming a bit stretched out if the machine isn't suited to them. You can solve this problem by adding dryer ball to the cycle. These balls can help untangle your clothing and increase the flow of warm, dry air around it.
Heat pump tumble dryers are an excellent choice for anyone looking to cut down on their energy bills or reduce their carbon footprint, but they're not the best choice for all. If you're looking for a conventional model, we offer a selection of condenser and vented dryers that will help you achieve great results without spending a fortune. Contact us today to learn more about how our sales advisers can assist you in finding the best tumble dryer for you and your budget.
They're also more eco-friendly.
The models that use heat pump consume less energy because they draw warm air from the room and re-heats it. This is in contrast to condenser dryers vented or condenser which require vents outside to let hot air escape. This is how they're more environmentally friendly. They reduce your carbon footprint as well as help you save money on the cost of energy.
In our opinion, this makes them a very beneficial investment for your home and for the planet. They are also gentle on fabrics since they dry at lower temperatures, and are thus less likely to cause shrinkage of clothing and sloping necklines, or to alter the prints on your clothes.
You can place them anywhere you want. They do not require plumbing connections and the water they absorb is collected into an easily accessible reservoir that you can empty. You can put them in the garage or utility room. They are also great for homes that are rented out to guests.
They are not as fast in drying your laundry but this is because they heat up the warm air that circulates instead of creating it each time. This means that they'll be faster than vented and condenser dryers in most cases, but with a much less impact on your energy costs when compared to any other type of tumble dryer.
As a result they can save you up to PS42 or PS51 per year compared with vented tumble dryers, according to Which? - making them a good choice for households of all sizes. These models are also more green, consuming up to 50 percent less energy than vented or condenser models.