How do heat pump tumble dryers work – and will buying one ultimately save you money?

A tumble dryer is a necessity for British households, particularly during unforgiving UK winters. Yet, with the option to choose condenser, vented or heat pump tumble dryers, it can be hard to know which is the right option for you.

Heat pump tumble dryers are becoming a firm favourite, thanks to them being more energy-efficient than condenser or vented tumble dryers.

So, while a heat pump tumble dryer may cost you more money up front, it’s likely that it will save you some of your hard-earned cash in the long run.

Condenser, vented and heat pump tumble dryers: What is the difference?

When deciding which tumble dryer is right for you, there are several things to consider including energy rating (how much money will it save you and whether it’s better for the environment), noise, dry load, dimensions and fit type among others.

Here are the different types of tumble dryers available:

Condenser: The way a condenser tumble dryer works is that it removes moisture from your clothes to store it in a removable tank. You will need to empty this tank following each cycle or vent the water outside using a hose.

Vented: These tumble dryers release the moisture removed from clothes outside using a vent. They often need to be installed by a professional.

Heat pump: Heat pump tumble dryers recycle hot air created inside the drum of the dryer to dry clothes which is what makes them more energy-efficient than the other options as it saves a lot more energy. It can take longer to dry clothes than other types of machine, however.

How do heat pump tumble dryers work?

Unlike condenser and vented tumble dryers, a heat pump tumble dryer does not require a vent to remove the damp air.

This is because it has a condenser that separates the water from the warm air and recycles the warm air back into the drum. The water is then stored in a tank which will need to be emptied from time to time.

Are heat pump tumble dryers more energy-efficient?

In short: yes. A report from Which? found that energy costs from heat pump tumble dryers can be half or less than half compared to condenser or vented tumble dryers. However, a heat pump tumble dryer is often more expensive than its counterparts.

For example, the Which? report found that the average lowest price for a heat pump tumble dryer was £309 compared to £120 for a vented tumble dryer and £183 for a condenser tumble dryer.

Also, the same report found that a heat pump tumble dryer will, on average, cost £69 per year to run based on three loads per week, while a vented dryer will cost a far heftier £176 per year and a condenser dryer will cost £168 per year.

Are heat pump tumble dryers better for the environment?

Yes. Because of its reduced energy consumption, a heat pump tumble dryer is better for the environment than a condenser or vented dryer.

This is because reducing energy usage lowers demand for fossil fuels which results in less levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.