Heat Pump Tumble Dryers

Written-by

Janet Richardson

Reviewed-by

Richard Burdett-Gardiner

Updated on

Sep 05, 2024

Heat Pump Tumble Dryers

Tumble dryers can be an essential piece of machinery in any home, and they are one of the top appliances for people to purchase. They get our clothes dry through all seasons, so we don’t need to wait for the rain to stop and the sun to start shining.

You may have heard of heat pump tumble dryers, the latest craze in the home appliance world. You may have even been wondering if they are the right fit for your home. Here, you will find all the information you will need to decide if you want one for yourself.

What is a Heat Pump Tumble Dryer?

The heat pump tumble dryer has been widely used in Switzerland and Germany for the past 13 or more years. The technology was produced to help conserve energy. You see, while conventional models of tumble dryer release the hot air that is used to dry clothes, heat pump technology works to conserve and reuse it.

Here’s a little more detail about the process. Hot air passes through the drum of the machine, absorbing the moisture from your clothing. After this, it passes through a number of filters, where the air is partially cooled and the moisture removed, the water that is collected is then deposited into a water tank (using the same process as a standard condenser dryer). As this is occurring, the warm air is heated back up, and circulated back to the drum.

The fact that the hot air is reused means that the energy is kept within the machine instead of being allowed to escape. This process drastically reduces the energy required to operate the machine, thus reducing operating costs.

The Cost of Heat Pump Tumble Dryers

In this section, we are going to look at the cost to purchase a heat pump tumble dryer, as well as the running costs that you can expect so you can estimate your savings. When you go to purchase a heat pump tumble dryer, you can expect to spend around £350, although cheaper models have started to emerge. On the higher end of the price spectrum, you can also find models that go over £1,000.

Heat pump tumble dryers tend to take longer than conventional ones to dry your clothes. However, it’s only usually by about 5-15 minutes, depending on the model that you purchase. The running costs and energy consumption levels are also much lower than a conventional tumble dryer. As, when operating, a conventional tumble dryer operates like a fan heater emitting 1-3Kw of heat. You can expect a heat pump tumble dryer to average out at around £34 per year.

However, the most efficient machine can run at £25 per year, which is an amazing saving. This is compared to £77 or more per year for conventional machines.

Why are They a Good Idea?

The main reasons that these tumble dryers are such a good idea are the fact that they are both cheaper to run and also have lower energy consumption, making them better for the environment and your wallet. They only use half of the energy a conventional tumble dryer does to run, making them incredibly efficient, despite the slightly longer running time.

Many people think that they will be louder than a conventional tumble dryer, but one of the great things about them is the fact that they are not. Some models are actually quieter than a regular dryer as its predominantly a sealed unit. Plus, your clothes receive better protection due to the fact that the temperature inside the drum is lower than that of conventional machines. This is due to the energy efficient heat exchange system.  

The Pros and Cons of a Heat Pump Tumble Dryer

Here are some of the advantages to a heat pump tumble dryer:

• It’s better for your health and the hygiene of your home.

When you leave your laundry to dry indoors, it can take a great deal of time, especially when they are hanging on the radiator. It also poses a risk to those with asthma, allergies, and other respiratory conditions due to the added level of moisture in the air. Additionally, this can lead to the growth of dust mites in the home. So having a good tumble dryer can help you avoid all of this.

• You can always dry your clothes

You don’t need to rely on the weather in order to hang your clothes out to dry. With a good and efficient dryer, such as a heat pump one, you don’t need to wait for it to stop raining. Plus, leaving your clothes outside to dry can take a lot more time than using a dryer.

• It’s faster and convenient

If you have a large household or no garden, then this type of tumble dryer is often the ideal companion to get you through massive amounts of laundry as fast as possible.

• It’s cost effective and environmentally friendly

The running costs and energy consumption of a heat pump tumble dryer are much lower than a conventional one, which is great if you want to save money on your energy bills. Plus, the reduced energy consumption also means it has a positive effect on the environment.   Here are some of the disadvantages to a heat pump tumble dryer:

• They are more expensive to purchase

You can expect an average of £500-700 for a new one, which is nearly double the price of a conventional machine.

• They are slower at drying clothes than conventional models

They tend to take an additional 5-15 minutes to dry clothes, depending on the model that you buy. This can cause some inconvenience.

Want to Know More?

Have you found yourself interested in heat pump tumble dryers? If you want to know more then make sure you head to our marketplace where you can find our full range of products, each with the relevant information. Or simply give us a ring at the top of this page and have a chat.