What Is A Heat Pump Tumble Dryer?
Tumble dryers have become far more important in recent years as more and more people live in permanent homes that don’t have much space – such as purchased flats. Since there may not be any place to hang clothes out to dry, a tumble dryer can serve as the only reasonable way to dry clothes. Not only that, but tumble dryers are better for our health than drying clothes around the home due to to moisture released from the clothes attracting dust mites and making allergies flare up.
However, there are different types of tumble dryers – and we don’t just mean different brands. There are also different methods by which tumble dryers work. Conventional tumble dryers send in a blast of hot air to dry the clothes; however, heat pump tumble dryers instead conserves and captures the hot air and re-uses it in the drying process. This makes it a far more environmentally-friendly and energy-efficient method of washing and drying clothes.
Here at Repair Aid, we have years of experience in repairing conventional tumble dryers and heat pump tumble dryers. In this article, we’re going to discuss the basics that you need to know about heat pump tumble dryers, as well as their advantages and disadvantages.
How it works
Heat pump tumble dryers started to become prominent in the early 00s in Switzerland and Germany during the drive to reduce energy consumption in appliances.
These appliances work by pushing hot air into the drum (so far, so familiar) which captures the moisture that is on the clothing. The air is filtered through the tumble dryer and is stripped of the moisture after working through a few filters. The moisture is collected separately and feeds into a water tank; while, simultaneously, the previously warm air is heated back up and pushed back into the drum. This process of re-using the hot air means that it doesn’t escape, as with conventional tumble dryers, and therefore the energy stays within the machine. So heat pump tumble dryers have the advantage of not only using less energy, but will also cut energy bills down.
So why should I get one?
The main reasons to choose a heat pump tumble dryer over a conventional machine is that it will be cheaper to run and more energy efficient. If you want to save money (sometimes up to £50/year) and save the planet, then this will suit you.
Other benefits include their quietnesses due to being, primarily, sealed units. Additionally, thanks to the energy efficient heat exchange system, the temperature in the drum is lower than conventional dryers – ensuring your clothes will be less damaged by the washing and drying process.
What’s the catch?
While there are great advantages to owning a heat pump tumble dryer, there are also drawbacks. Firstly, they can be more expensive than conventional tumble dryers. On average, they cost between £300 and £400 – with some a little cheaper than this, and others going as high as £1,000. However, as you will make savings on your energy bill over the long run, this is spending a little more in the short-term to, likely, save money in the long run.
Lastly, they can be a little slower than other tumble dryers when it comes to drying. They may take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes longer to dry clothes versus conventional tumble dryers. If you’re using your machine multiple times a day, this could disrupt your routine. However, you would be best placed to save a lot of money on your bills.
Other advantages of tumble dryers
In terms of value, it’s hard to argue against heat pump tumble dryers. However, for people who don’t have much spare cash, conventional tumble dryers will definitely be more appealing.
Whatever type of tumble dryer you decide on buying, it’s good to note the advantages of tumble drying versus the washing and air drying combination.
Not dependent on weather
Air drying outside can see you being at the mercy of the weather’s will. A tumble dryer will clean your clothes without strings attached – and will do it quicker too.
It’s healthier for you
If you have a respiratory condition, dust allergies or even asthma, you are at risk if you hang out wet washing to dry around your home. This is because wet clothing adds moisture to the air – and it can also lead to dust mites growing in your home. A tumble dryer can help you avoid all of these problems.
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