Although vented tumble dryers are energy efficient, heat pump tumble dryers are the most energy-efficient dryers on the market.
“Heat pump dryers are the most energy-efficient among the three types of tumble dryers,” says Snook.
A vented tumble dryer will be more cost effective than a condenser in both the purchase and running stages, if you are able to find somewhere to run the hose externally. It will also dry your clothes more quickly than a condenser dryer, as it is not required to spend time converting the hot air into water.
Heat pump condenser dryers — These are more expensive but much more energy efficient as they capture and reuse their heat energy.
Saving energy and saving money go hand in hand here. The most energy-efficient tumble dryers – hence the cheapest to run – are heat pump tumble dryers. Condenser dryers come next, closely followed by vented dryers. Gas tumble dryers are comparable to heat pump dryers in terms of energy efficiency and cost.
Heat Pump Tumble Dryers
Heat Pump dryers are said to be the most energy-efficient dryers, as they do not require a lot of electricity. Like condenser dryers, these dryers also have an energy rating between A+++ to B. Both a heat pump tumble dryer and a condenser dryer are designed to dry clothing efficiently.
Air-vented dryers draw air from the room in which they are installed, heat it and lead it through the humid clothing in the drum to evaporate the moisture. The humid air is then expelled to the external environment. Air-vented dryers thus require an exhaust to the outside, making them less practical.
Heat pump dryers are highly efficient – using less than half the energy of a conventional electric clothes dryer. Heat pump dryers are cheaper to run so they're worth spending a bit more on – especially if you use the dryer a lot.
If a fast drying speed is the key factor for you, a vented model might be your preference. If space, budget and lifestyle allow, however, and you're happy with the slightly longer drying times that come with reduced energy usage and running costs, a heat pump clothes dryer is probably the best choice.
Energy use
We've previously found condenser dryers to not be very energy efficient. Along with older vented varieties, they use around three times more energy to dry a load than their heat pump counterparts. This means vented and condenser dryers cost more to run in the long term than a heat pump.
According to Heatable, a 2500W tumble dryer costs about 85p to use for an hour. However, the tumble dryer cost per hour depends on the energy efficiency rating of your tumble dryer and the cost of energy at the time.
Vented dryers are available in a range of drum sizes and styles, with a model to suit every budget, so are an ideal choice option for making laundry day easier. We stock appliances from every major brand, including Bosch, AEG and Whirlpool, all at competitive prices.
Vented are usually quicker but use more power because they are constantly drawing in fresh air which is then heated. They tend to work best in hot dry conditions (But if it's hot and dry why not hang the washing out). Condenser driers circulate the air within the unit so less heating is requ...
Unlike condenser dryers, which convert hot air into water, vented tumble dryers expel hot air through external vent. This keeps your utility bills to a minimum, as the appliance does not covert hot air into water; it simply expels the air from your home.
Heat pump clothes dryers operate in a similar way to a reverse-cycle air conditioner – they use a heat pump to heat the air. They also recover heat from the warm, moist air from clothes and condense out the moisture. Heat pump clothes dryers are the most efficient dryers and have high efficiency ratings.
Energy efficiency stands out as the most significant difference. Heat pump dryers typically use considerably less energy than condenser models, leading to lower running costs despite their higher purchase price. Energy Efficiency Ratings: Heat pump: A+++ to A+ energy rating.
We recommend emptying every time you use it. Do heat pump dryers take longer to dry? Yes they do but they will save you money as they use much less energy than condenser dryers.
If your main priority is speed and you're less concerned about energy efficiency a vented model is probably the best option for you, especially if you already have a hole in the outside wall from a previous dryer.
The average lifespan of a tumble dryer
On average a tumble dryer should last 10 to 15 years. This depends on factors such as maintenance, ventilation, and quality.
A lot can happen between now and then. Note, however, that Los Angeles recently voted a gas appliance ban for new construction, requiring electric stoves, water heaters, furnaces, and clothes dryers. Similarly, San Francisco regulators approved a ban on new home furnaces and water heaters that rely on gas fuel.