Drying clothes indoors can be a hassle. Without proper ventilation, damp air leads to mould and musty smells. Plus, some tumble dryers need external vents or use a lot of energy. That’s where heat pump tumble dryers come in. Unlike vented or condenser models, they reuse warm air to save energy while being kinder to your clothes. It’s an eco-friendly way to deal with the laundry.

How heat pump tumble dryers work

So, what is a heat pump tumble dryer?

Heat pump technology has evolved rapidly, making appliances like these much more energy efficient.

Heat pump tumble dryers draw moisture from wet laundry. This moisture is either drained away or stored in a tank. Meanwhile, the warm air is recycled back into the drum – using less energy.

It’s worth noting that a heat pump tumble dryer is different from the heat pumps used for heating or cooling. If you’re curious about those, take a look at our guide to heat pumps and how they work.

Benefits of heat pump tumble dryers

Energy efficiency

Heat pump dryers are much more energy-efficient than vented or condenser dryers. By recycling heat, they use less electricity per cycle. Looking to cut down on your energy bills and reduce your environmental footprint? This type of dryer could be a good option for you.

Gentle on clothes

Because they work at lower temperatures than other tumble dryers, heat pump dryers are kinder to your clothes and fabrics. This means they’re ideal for delicate items, as lower heat reduces wear and tear. Over time, this can help keep your clothes in better condition for longer.

Versatility and convenience

Unlike vented dryers, heat pump models don’t need an external vent. They’re easier to install and give you more flexibility about where to put them in your home. Since they don’t need to vent air outside, you can put them in smaller, enclosed spaces.

Heat pump vs other tumble dryers

Still not sure if a heat pump dryer is for you? Let’s weigh up the pros and cons when compared to other types of dryers.

Pros

·       Energy efficiency: Uses less electricity per cycle, leading to reduced energy bills over time

·       Eco-friendly: Lower energy consumption helps reduce your carbon footprint

·       Kinder to clothes: Low temperatures prevent fabric damage, helping clothes last longer

·       Flexible installation: No vent needed, so it can be placed in smaller or closed spaces

·       Long-term savings: Higher upfront cost but saves money on electricity bills over time

Cons

·       Higher cost: More expensive to buy compared to vented or condenser dryers

·       Longer drying times: Takes more time to dry clothes compared to conventional dryers

·       Maintenance: The filter and heat exchanger need to be cleaned regularly

·       Noise: Some models can be louder than condenser dryers

·       Smaller capacity: Often has a smaller drum capacity, requiring more loads for larger families

How to tell whether a heat pump tumble dryer is right for you

If you're looking to save energy in the long run, a heat pump tumble dryer could be the perfect choice. But if you're on a budget, a vented or condenser model might be a more cost-effective option. We’ve got this all covered in our guide to condenser vs vented tumble dryers.

Contact us if your tumble dryer needs a repair

If your tumble dryer isn’t working as it should, we’re here to help. It’s easy to book an engineer and get your appliance back to its best. Get a tumble dryer repair.

About the author

Richard Dellow

Richard has been working as an engineer at Domestic & General for over 4 years and is keen to share some of the ways our customers can avoid paying for an appliance repair.

As the Regional Field Service Manager, Richard works very closely to our network of engineers and is an integral part of helping our customers ‘self-fix’ wherever possible.

With special expertise in maintaining many household appliances, especially gas appliances, Richard is a source of great expertise when it comes to making these essential home appliances run smoothly and for as long as possible.

In his free time, Richard enjoys spending time with his family and loves being outdoors, endurance and trail running are his passions, but loves any opportunity to take part in big challenges.

To make the most of Richard’s appliance wisdom, take a look at the articles below- they might save you a hefty repair fee…

Our blog is loaded with more related articles