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In this article, I will take you through the most prominent heat pump dryer pros and cons….
The idea is to help you understand this dryer type in out – perhaps you have been thinking of going the heat pump dryer route but you cannot really decide if it’s better than conventional dryers(condenser, etc.)….
Heat pump dryer pros and cons
We shall first look at the pros and cons in summary- I shall explain everything in detail afterward.
Heat pump dryer benefits
- Super energy efficient
- Easier, more flexible, and more affordable installation- not venting needed
- Very gentle on fabric compared to traditional dryers
Heat pump dryer disadvantages
- They are, in general, more expensive than standard dryers
- Drying clothes takes longer than in most other dryer types
- Water in the container must be manually emptied
Here now is a more in-depth explanation of each pro and con
Heat pump dryer advantages explained
1. Super energy efficient
This dryer model uses less energy- They reduce energy usage by about 28% (and above) compared to traditional units.
Why?
It’s because this type of dryer recycles heat in the process of extracting moisture thus saving significant energy.
Indeed, they use a refrigerant during the process of removing moisture so they do not use as much electricity as regular dryers to generate heat.
2. Easier, more affordable to install than other dryers
Another key pro is that you’ll find it friendlier and more economical to install…
Here is why:
No venting needed
That’s because heat pump dryers do not need to expel moisture outside(they cool the heated hair then condense it with the moisture collecting in a water tank).
This not only saves you the hassle of installing a vent(cutting into a wall) but it also means you will be saving the extra costs associated with installing a vent.
No leaks
Another upside that’s related to their ventless nature is you’ll not have to deal with blocked/damaged vents(you might know that these are major causes of dryer leaking water)
Installation flexibility
Finally, you will have more options when it comes to installing a heat pump dryer than ordinary dryers.
You see, with other dryers, you will have to cut through a wall, meaning you must have a specific place (laundry areas located near external walls) to install it.
On the other hand, due to their no-venting design, you can set it up anywhere you feel comfortable in your house.
3. Very gentle on fabric compared to the traditional dryer – probably the greatest advantage
We all want a dryer whose drying method/technology is gentle on our garments.
And the thing is heat pump dryers use way low heat than other tumble dryers to dry your clothes so your clothes won’t wear and tear as fast as they do with the latter
Other potential advantages
4. Quite durable
One thing you need to know is that the durability of your dryer washer will depend on the brand, model, how you handle it, etc.
That said, heat dryers tend to last longer than other types of dryers- When other dryers last you for about 10-13 years, a heat dryer can last you for around 20 years.
5. Can still be connected to a drain hose
As I have previously mentioned, heat pump dryers have a water tank- and the problem is you have to empty it manually, which can be an inconvenience.
The good news is that some give an option of connecting a drain hose – and that can certainly save you the time, energy, and hassle of regularly emptying the tank.
6. Have more modern designs and features
Heat pump dryers come with more modern and more useful features like auto-sensing technology that detects moisture and automatically stops the cycle once the laundry is dry.
This makes the dryer gentler and more consistent.
Also, some dryers have features that help clothes dry faster not to mention that most have multiple drying settings to cater to different fabric types.
It’s also worth mentioning that while the first heat pump dryers were known to have small load capacity, there are loads of heat pump dryers with the capacity of a regular dryer these days thanks to their continued evolution.
Shop: Full size heat pump dryer
Heat pump dryer cons
1. They are more expensive
They are arguably the most expensive type of dryer out there because of their unique drying technology so be ready to cough up more money if you want to invest in one.
2. Drying clothes takes longer than in other models
Perhaps the biggest downside is that this type of dryer dries under low temperatures hence drying clothes takes comparatively longer than other dryers.
3. Water in the container must be manually emptied
Recall this?
Yeah, if you have positioned the dryer where you can’t install a vent, you will always have to drain water from the tank manually.
Heat pump dryer vs gas
Let us now compare a heat pump dryer vs gas (in summary) because some of you have been us asking to:
- On energy usage: A heat pump dryer reduces energy usage by about 50% compared to gas dryers though when it comes to powering the appliance, gas dryers use less power compared to the heat pump dryer.
- Regarding environmental concerns: Heat pump dryers are environmentally friendlier compared to gas dryers as the latter have a possibility of causing carbon monoxide buildup and even leakage, when not properly installed
- About installation: Unlike heat dryers which are easy to install, gas dryers are as they need to be hooked up to a gas line (it’s best done by a professional).
Heat pump dryer vs condenser dryer vs vented
Here now is a summary heat pump dryer vs condenser dryer vs vented run down again as some of you wanted it..
- While both condenser dryer and vented dryer use hot air to dry clothes, a heat pump dryer uses hot air to dry clothes but does reuse/recycle heat, resulting in unbeatable energy efficiency.
- A vented dryer dries clothes fastest using hot air and expelling it through the vent making the dryer energy more efficient compared to a condenser dryer but a heat pump dryer is the most energy efficient.
- Unlike heat pump dryers and Ventless condenser dryers that can be put up anywhere in your home, a vented dryer is limited to a location where a vent can be mounted.
- With a vented dryer, there is no extra maintenance of emptying the tank thanks to the installed vent unlike ventless condenser and heat pump dryers where you need to empty the tank manually.
Heat pump dryer pros and cons- FAQs
Is a heat pump dryer worth it?
YES. In my opinion, the dryer can be worth it because the pros outweigh the cons by far- you will have lower energy bills, your clothes are likely to last longer, and of, course, it’s the way to go if it’s impossible to vent a dryer in your house
Do heat pump dryers need venting?
No. As mentioned earlier, heat pump dryers do not need venting as the hot hair evaporates and later condenses in a tank.
However, some provide an option to connect your heat pump dryer to a drain hose.
Do heat pump dryers cause condensation?
YES. Remember that heat pump dryers use hot air to absorb moisture from your clothes…
Now, what happens after this process is that air passes through the drum and then it goes through the evaporation process to eliminate the moisture.
This is the moisture that is collected as condensation (it is what finally settles in the tank).
What is the average heat pump dryer lifespan?
Heat pump dryers are known to last for so many years especially when handled correctly and used in the right way.
Just to give you an idea, it can last you not less than 20 years (this is almost double the life span of many traditional dryers).
Heat pump dryer pros and cons-Wrap up
In a nutshell, the most outstanding heat pump dryer pros and cons are:
Pros
- It is way gentler on your clothes
- Cuts down on energy bills,
- It is easier to install.
Cons
- Slower in drying clothes than other dryers (though there are a few remarkably faster units out there nowadays).
Don’t forget the issue of pricing too– it needs a bigger budget
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