Anybody running a heat pump tumble drier?

[SB118]

Looking into replacing our condenser drier in the next 12 months, current machine is starting to fail (doesn't always turn off when the clothes are dry, just runs on cold for an hour. Gives random "water full" alarms even when the tank is empty, etc) and i'm liking the look of the low power consumption of the heat pump units, compared to the 2.2kw of our condenser drier..

Couple of Qs,

Do they run as hot as conventional machines? Thinking i might be able to dry pretty much everything with less danger of shrinking stuff (my speciality).

Does it heat/damp up the surrounding area? Our current machine puts out a bit of warmth and i'll need to turn the radiator back on if the new machine is too well insulated.


Main interest is the power use of under 900w which should be covered easily by our solar panels (apart from those darkest times in winter). Looking at Hotpoint & Indesit units around £400-£450

 

[dlockers]

They don't run as hot - I literally give not a second thought to what I put in there, and I have never had a single issue.

It gives out very little heat.

We use ours on timer, so it only comes on at night. Energy is negligible.

Not great reporting but you can see spikes where it's on and total cost....everyday the last few days.

 

[img]

i have a bosch for a few years. Area doesn't get hot and no damp. I have it connected to a waste pipe so i do not have to empty it. Clothes don't feel that hot on normal cycle compared to a cheap one we had before. Drys with sensor most of the time unless you have a few bits in. I have no energy monitoring though on it.

 

[R.C.Anderson]

They don't run as hot - I literally give not a second thought to what I put in there, and I have never had a single issue.

It gives out very little heat.

We use ours on timer, so it only comes on at night. Energy is negligible.

Not great reporting but you can see spikes where it's on and total cost....everyday the last few days.

[snip]

To make sure I'm reading that right, it takes ~0.5kWh per load to dry, is that right? Which model is it?

I'm looking for comparible costs per load, so I can have a guess at how many loads I need to run before breaking even vs the cost to buy.

 

[dlockers]

To make sure I'm reading that right, it takes ~0.5kWh per load to dry, is that right? Which model is it?

I'm looking for comparible costs per load, so I can have a guess at how many loads I need to run before breaking even vs the cost to buy.

Tbh I think something is up with that data - it doesn't seem to make sense (hour by hour reporting looks iffy). But basically, even with heavy use, it is indistinguishable in our energy usage from regular stuff. It uses hardly anything.

I have a Samsung because through perks at work/blue light discount you can get some mega discounts and it was 0% finance over 12 months.

 

[Cadder]

Does it heat/damp up the surrounding area? Our current machine puts out a bit of warmth and i'll need to turn the radiator back on if the new machine is too well insulated.

Ours is a budget-friendly (cheap) Candy heat pump dryer. We turned the radiator off in the little room it occupies downstairs and so it gets cold in there during the cooler months. One cycle of this dryer and the room is warm and quite humid.

 

[robj20]

Ours is a budget-friendly (cheap) Candy heat pump dryer. We turned the radiator off in the little room it occupies downstairs and so it gets cold in there during the cooler months. One cycle of this dryer and the room is warm and quite humid.

It shouldn't be doing that.

 

[decto]

I got an LG a couple of years back when energy prices were going crazy. We use the dryer a lot with a young family. It runs 500-800W on and off during a cycle. I've even run it from a 1200VA Victron inverter on a lifepo4 battery as a stress test and it was fine.

No issues with damp or condensation but they are best in a heated room. Ours is in the kitchen which is ~17C in winter. The LG uses some of the condensed water to flush the heat exchanger which is supposed to stop it getting blocked with micro fluff. Can be an issue on some other brands apparently.

Would definitely buy again, paid for itself in 12m Vs a conventional model. If it broke, I'd order another heat pump dryer the same day.

If you use it a few times a month, then not likely worth it.bif you use it several times a week then a no brainer.

On an energy basis, it's roughly. 750w heater when running so will not push as much heat into the room as a conventional condenser.

 

[Cadder]

It shouldn't be doing that.

It has been doing it for a couple of years now. Are you sure your statement applies to all heat pump dryers, including my cheapo unit?

 

[dlockers]

It has been doing it for a couple of years now. Are you sure your statement applies to all heat pump dryers, including my cheapo unit?

It is a bit odd because the mechanics of the appliance means it works better in a hotter room, and it doesn't get hot enough to create humidity etc.

 

[SB118]

If you use it a few times a month, then not likely worth it.bif you use it several times a week then a no brainer.

We're running at least one load a day, so it sounds like i know what to put on my list for Santa.

Many thanks folks, useful info.

 

[jpaul]

can look at earlier heat pump thread including below vid showing test energy values. 0.6kwh+
( the ones that have an electrical heater - give better efficiency if you want it in a garage/cool area, otherwise they are taking some heat from the room.
additional wear on clothes due to extended drying period, even though it is cool is still an issue )

e: hybrid was the newer gen

I'd be looking at the newer hybrid heat pump dryer options, which are supposed to be a third more efficient, over standard heat pump (and since they have a heater, I'm guessing you could run them in a colder room)

 

[robj20]

It has been doing it for a couple of years now. Are you sure your statement applies to all heat pump dryers, including my cheapo unit?

The whole design of a heatpump dryer means it recirculates the air inside that's where the efficiency comes from it just needs to keep the air warm and it then reduces the moisture from that air.
They're basically a dehumidifier in an enclosed space.

 

[BUDFORCE]

Not great reporting but you can see spikes where it's on and total cost....everyday the last few days.

Wow, thats crazy 6 kwh for 300 hours run time.

Thats like £2 in electricity.

I might seriously think about getting one I heard they were more effecient, I didnt realise they were quite that efficient. Only problem is ours in in the garage so need to be one that is suited for cold areas.

 

[200sols]

Wow, thats crazy 6 kwh for 300 hours run time.

Thats like £2 in electricity.

I might seriously think about getting one I heard they were more effecient, I didnt realise they were quite that efficient. Only problem is ours in in the garage so need to be one that is suited for cold areas.

That is insane. I didn't think they were anything like that efficient.

 

[dlockers]

Wow, thats crazy 6 kwh for 300 hours run time.

Thats like £2 in electricity.

I might seriously think about getting one I heard they were more effecient, I didnt realise they were quite that efficient. Only problem is ours in in the garage so need to be one that is suited for cold areas.

Run time included standby - it isn't proper smart data just from the plug.

 

[robj20]

Wow, thats crazy 6 kwh for 300 hours run time.

Thats like £2 in electricity.

I might seriously think about getting one I heard they were more effecient, I didnt realise they were quite that efficient. Only problem is ours in in the garage so need to be one that is suited for cold areas.

Mines in the garage, just takes longer when it's cold.
We don't even bother hanging washing out in summer anymore it's not worth it, just put it in the dryer.

 

[Coran]

Wow, thats crazy 6 kwh for 300 hours run time.

Thats like £2 in electricity.

I might seriously think about getting one I heard they were more effecient, I didnt realise they were quite that efficient. Only problem is ours in in the garage so need to be one that is suited for cold areas.

I think the numbers must be misleading. My understanding is it’s about 0.5-1kWh per cycle, assuming not heavily loaded. The numbers in the diagram suggest it’s running 15 hours every day. Maybe it’s out on delay but the monitor counts that as running since it’s drawing power.

I think we ignore the total run hours and assume one load per day. Looks like 6kWh for 13 cycles which is exceptional still compared to my condensing dryer! I know what my next purchase will be.

@dlockers could you clarify on the numbers?

 

[Mysterae_]

I have the Samsung DV80T5220AX and it's been a lot more efficient that the old condenser type. I would recommend cleaning the heat exchanger fins a lot more that the machine says as the more it gets clogged the more moisture gets trapped there. Not having been used for a week with us being away it got a bit funky but it soon went away.

Remember to use dryer balls too, albeit a bit louder with them it really helps keep the clothes apart from each other and therefore dry better.

 

[dlockers]

I think the numbers must be misleading. My understanding is it’s about 0.5-1kWh per cycle, assuming not heavily loaded. The numbers in the diagram suggest it’s running 15 hours every day. Maybe it’s out on delay but the monitor counts that as running since it’s drawing power.

I think we ignore the total run hours and assume one load per day. Looks like 6kWh for 13 cycles which is exceptional still compared to my condensing dryer! I know what my next purchase will be.

@dlockers could you clarify on the numbers?

Run time included standby - it isn't proper smart data just from the plug.

^^

Unfortunately (still kicking myself), I saved £70 by getting the none smart version of the dryer so it's just a Tapo P110 plug reporting status.

It seems it maxes out at 500w no matter the load (some of those are my daughters sleeping bag and some of them are full loads/bed sheets etc).

I have the Samsung DV80T5220AX and it's been a lot more efficient that the old condenser type. I would recommend cleaning the heat exchanger fins a lot more that the machine says as the more it gets clogged the more moisture gets trapped there. Not having been used for a week with us being away it got a bit funky but it soon went away.

Yeah that's a shout --- I clean the door filter every single time, and should probably clean the fins of the heat exchanger a bit more than it asks.