Gas and Heat Pump Tumble Dryers – Pros and Cons
There is a lot more choice than many people realise when it comes to tumble dryers. But two of the more uncommon models available are gas and heat pump tumble dryers. Let’s look at these two lesser-known models and see how they work. First, let’s look at heat pump tumble dryers, shall we?
Heat Pump Tumble Dryers
One of the biggest innovations with condenser tumble dryers is that they are available with an added heat pump. This new form of condenser tumble dryer comes with many benefits, for one thing, it is a much more energy efficient machine.
So, you can use your dryer for longer without running the risk of high energy bills, tumble dryers are not well-known for being overly energy efficient appliances but a tumble dryer with a heat pump actually is.
The addition of a heat pump is actually pretty straightforward and it works in a relatively simple manner. The heat pump simply reheats the air that is still circulating in the dryer meaning you’ll get a lot more results per cycle then you would with a standard condenser dryer.
The hot air in the dryer is essentially recycled thanks to the heat pump and then circulated back into the dryer. By keeping the hot air in the machine you’ll get a much more energy efficient drying process.
Heat Pump Tumble Dryers – Pros and Cons
One of the biggest pros of heat pump tumble dryers is something we’ve already looked at their energy efficiency is amazing when compared to other dryers. But the downside to this is the fact that heat pump tumble dryers are usually going to be more expensive to buy.
Yes, over time they might save you money but they will certainly cost a lot more in the short-term. However, there is some good news because cheaper heat pump models are being introduced right now.
Their energy efficiency does also mean longer drying times as well so make sure you take that into account. If you want to be eco-friendly and have the money available then buying a heat pump tumble dryer is certainly a viable option though and I do think they might slowly start becoming more popular in the next few years.
Gas Tumble Dryers
Gas tumble dryers are not a myth! Let’s make that clear right now although it can’t be denied they are not often seen. They work in much the same way as an electric vented dryer would but they use your home’s mains gas to heat the air in the dryer.
And despite their name, they do still use electricity as well although this is only for minor things like turning the drum or powering the control panel. Gas tumble dryers are therefore able to be incredibly energy efficient usually with an A energy rating at a minimum.
When you compare this to the average electric tumble dryers rating of a C to D then it becomes pretty clear how big the gap in regards to energy efficiency is. So, if you want to cut your energy bills a gas dryer should definitely be considered.
However, the bad news is that gas tumble dryers are very difficult to find in the UK and you may have to order one from a specialist supplier. This also means you will need to pay additional charges to get it properly fitted and installed.
Gas Tumble Dryers – Pros and Cons
You can probably already guess what the main benefit of gas tumbles dryers is, can’t you? They save you a lot of money on your home energy bills which will make them incredibly useful for more eco-friendly homes or people looking to save money on their energy bills.
They are also very efficient when it comes to drying clothes so it’s highly unlikely you’ll need to put clothes back in for another spin. The downsides, however, is the fact that they are quite rare. By choosing a gas dryer you are limiting your options as very few models are available.
They will also need to be installed by a professional Gas Safe registered engineer. This is going to add extra charges on top of the price of the tumble dryer itself and finally, you’ll need to ensure your home as the ventilation needed to support a gas tumble dryer.
So, that’s a look at two of the most uncommon types of tumble dryer, as you can see they do have their benefits especially when it comes to energy efficiency. So, if that is one of your main concerns these two types of tumble dryer are definitely worth considering.