For even more savings, consider ENERGY STAR certified heat pump dryers - they use around 70% less energy than a conventional clothes dryers.
Heat pump tumble dryers are much more energy efficient than other types of machine, which means they're kinder on your wallet and the environment. These machines use up to 60% less electricity than a conventional condenser or vented tumble dryer while still being able to deliver the same performance.
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.
For even more savings, consider ENERGY STAR certified heat pump dryers - they use almost 30% less energy than a conventional clothes dryers.
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.
A tumble dryer with a heat pump is the most energy efficient type of dryer. Instead of heating the air with a heating element, it reheats the circulating air.
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.
You might have an old dryer at home that works fine. It's still a good idea to consider a new dryer. New dryers are much more energy-efficient in use.
If you're looking for a washer and dryer that will last a long time, Samsung is right up there with LG and Whirlpool in terms of longevity. Like Maytag, Samsung appliances typically require fewer repairs.
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.
They cause up to 15 percent more than vented dryers, however the majority of models now come with heat pump technology that has credible energy ratings. Condenser dryers are slightly more expensive than vented dryers, but, they offer convenience which many people want when it comes to the washing!
Your average 9kg vented tumble dryer will use around 5.30 kWh for a full load cycle. Using your dryer two times a week will give you an average annual usage of 636 kWh – which translates to £1.54 for each cycle and £184.44 a year. Your average 9kg condenser tumble dryer will use around 5.2 kWh for a full load cycle.
The cheapest type of tumble dryer to run is a heat pump dryer. While they typically come with a higher initial purchase cost, heat pump dryers are highly energy-efficient, using lower temperatures and less electricity to dry clothes.
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.
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 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.
For example, if your current dryer is more than 15 years old, it's probably best to replace it since this is about the time when most dryers reach the end of their serviceable lifespan (both gas and electric unit).
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.
As with most machines and devices, the older a dryer gets the less efficient it becomes. The majority of clothes dryers that are in use are between 2-9 years old.