The location of your tumble dryer is really important. Placing your tumble dryer in a convenient place makes the whole process of drying clothes a lot easier, and dare I say, more enjoyable.
However, there are other factors when putting your tumble dryer in the correct spot, like drainage and ventilation.
At least, these factors come into play with some tumble dryers, but what about heat pump tumble dryers?
Well, with heat pump tumble dryers, everything happens in the machine, so you don’t need to worry so much about things like ventilation. So, where can you put one of these tumble dryers?
Where Can You Put a Heat Pump Tumble Dryer?
Arguably the best thing about heat pump tumble dryers is the fact that you can put them anywhere in the home. So, you can put the tumble dryer wherever is most convenient for you.
These tumble dryers do not need to be vented to the outside of your home, and they don’t need to be plumbed in.
Although you can add a drain hose to your heat pump tumble dryer if you like, many models come with a drain hose giving you this option.
Vented tumble dryers must be vented to the outside of your home to ensure that the moisture they create doesn’t stay in your home and cause damp. Ideally, they need to be placed as close to an external wall as possible so that the vent goes straight from the tumble dryer to the outside.
However, as heat pump tumble dryers collect all of the water from your clothes in a reservoir built into the dryer, no moist air escapes the machine itself. So, there’s no need to vent them to the outside of your home.
However, there are a few places where you shouldn’t put one:
- Don’t put a heat pump dryer in a cupboard, or another very small confined space. This could lead to damp, or be a fire hazard.
- Don’t put a heat pump dryer in a garage or shed if the ambient temperature ever drops below 5 degrees Celsius. This could cause water inside the machine to freeze, damaging it.
Can You Install a Drain Hose to a Heat Pump Tumble Dryer?
While most models come with a drain hose that you can install, you don’t have to.
While adding the drain hose to a heat pump tumble dryer means you don’t need to empty the water reservoir at all, this does restrict the placement of the tumble dryer as it must be near a suitable drainage point.
If you’re already planning on placing the tumble dryer near a suitable drainage point in your home, it might be worth installing the drainage hose.
Most manufacturers state that you should empty the reservoir after each use, with some stating that you can get 2-3 drying cycles out of the tumble dryer before emptying it.
If this is a bit too much hassle, installing the drainage hose means you’ll never need to empty the water reservoir in the machine.
As the tumble dryer forces hot air over your clothes, it collects the water. And instead of emptying it into the tank, it will simply drain away.
Do Heat Pump Tumble Dryers Need to Be Vented?
Whether you plan on using the water reservoir in your heat pump tumble dryer or adding the drain hose to it, the tumble dryer doesn’t need to be vented.
There is an evaporator inside the machine that separates the air and water. So, the air leaving the machine is dry. The water is either collected in the container or drained away with the hose.
This makes heat pump tumble dryers really convenient, as you can place them anywhere in the home.
They don’t need to be near an external wall, and if you are using the water reservoir to collect the water, they do not need to be near a drain either.
You can put these tumble dryers almost anywhere and enjoy warm, dry clothes quickly.
Are Heat Pump Tumble Dryers Worth It?
If you can’t/don’t want to install a vent into the wall of your home, a heat pump tumble dryer can be a fantastic addition to your home.
They add the drying power of any other tumble dryer without the hassle and additional installation costs.
If you’re looking to replace a conventional or condensing tumble dryer, a heat pump tumble dryer may be worth considering too.
While they take a few minutes longer to dry your clothes (depending on the model, they can take 5-15 minutes longer than a conventional dryer), they are more energy-efficient and cost-effective in the long run.
So, it seems that many homes could benefit from getting a heat pump tumble dryer.
We have loads of other articles on In The Wash comparing all types of tumble dryers, the costs of running them, and the very best heat pump tumble dryers available in the UK right now.
So, take a look around In The Wash to make sure your new tumble dryer gives you exactly what you need.
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