Do You Have to Empty a Heat Pump Tumble Dryer?

If you’ve been looking into heat pump tumble dryers recently, we’re sure you have some questions.

After all, heat pump tumble dryers are a relatively new way of drying clothes in the home, and many are weighing up whether these machines are the way forward for their clothes drying needs.

The most pressing question that many have when it comes to heat pump tumble dryers is whether they need to remove the water from them.

So, we thought we’d answer this question today, along with a few other FAQs about heat pump tumble dryers.

 

Do You Need to Empty a Heat Pump Tumble Dryer?

Yes, you do need to empty the water out of a heat pump tumble dryer.

However, the tank is typically placed in a very easy-to-find location, usually on the front of the machine. And the only thing in the container is water. So, you can empty the container in the sink or in the bath, for example.

Almost all heat pump tumble dryer manufacturers recommend that you empty the water container every time you use it.

This may sound like a bit of pain, but we promise once you’ve emptied the water container a few times, removing it will become second nature.

 

How Do You Empty a Heat Pump on a Tumble Dryer?

Almost all heat pump tumble dryers have a water reservoir located on the front of the machine.

You just need to remove the water reservoir and tip the water away. Just remember to install the reservoir before turning on the tumble dryer for the next load of washing.

 

How Often Do You Need to Empty a Heat Pump Dryer?

A lot of manufacturers state that you should empty your tumble dryer after each load of washing. However, you can push this to 2-3 uses before you empty it. It is a good idea to get into the routine of emptying the water reservoir as often as you can, though. If not, you can run the risk of the water overflowing and spilling out of your tumble dryer.

 

Can You Install a Drain Hose on a Heat Pump Tumble Dryer?

Yes, you can install a drain hose on your heat pump tumble dryer and never need to worry about emptying the water out again.

The drain hose needs to be connected to a drain, not vented out like a standard tumble dryer. So, it is more like the drain on a washing machine.

Adding a drain hose to your tumble dryer may result in some installation costs if you don’t have a suitable drain nearby.

However, some manufacturers supply a drain hose with heat pump tumble dryers, so if you can access a suitable draining location, it might be more convenient to install it.

 

How Does a Heat Pump Tumble Dryer Work?

These tumble dryers are really clever. They absorb water from your washing by passing hot air through the drum.

This hot air turns the water to vapour, and then the air and water pass through an evaporator. This removes the water, which is then sent to a reservoir.

The hot air is then sent back into the drum multiple times. This ensures all the water from your clothes is removed and that they are dry.

 

Do Heat Pump Tumble Dryers Take Longer to Dry than Regular Tumble Dryers?

Heat pump tumble dryers do take longer than most other tumble dryers to dry your clothes. However, depending on the model you buy, the time difference is usually only about 5-15 minutes.

The excellent benefits of a heat pump tumble dryer can make them ideal for certain households, though, and greatly outweigh the slightly lower drying times.

The running costs and energy consumption of a heat pump tumble dryer are much lower than a typical tumble dryer. So, you’ll save money throughout the year.

Plus, you do not need to install a vent for these tumble dryers. Saving you some installation costs or time if you’re planning to install the vent yourself.

You can also place a heat pump tumble dryer anywhere in your home. A conventional tumble dryer should be placed near an external wall to get the best ventilation possible.

With a heat pump tumble dryer, though, they can be placed almost anywhere in the home.

We hope this look at heat pump tumble dryers has been helpful. A heat pump tumble dryer can be a fantastic way of drying clothes, and you’ll get used to emptying the water reservoir much quicker than you think.

For more about these tumble dryers, as well as condensing and traditional tumble dryers, please explore In The Wash further. We’ve got all the dryer info you need to decide which tumble dryer is right for you.