Heat pump tumble dryer - water tank emptying?

herebeme

My elderly mother currently has a vented tumble dryer, but it’s on its last legs. 

I was looking at heat pump tumble dryers, but I cannot seem to get clarity from description on if the water tank needs emptying, and if so how often (every time?), and how difficult it is? Can you mention the brand you have if you reply please? I’m assuming all these water tanks are near the ground which is going to be very hard for her to manage. 

Can anyone help? Specially heat pump, NOT condenser dryers. 

Any advice from installers also v welcome. 

Thanks 

ris2015

I use a Candy heat pump tumble dryer. The water tank does need emptying after each load, it sits within the glass door of the machine and is simple to empty.
However you also need to look at the cleaning required for the filters as well as the regular dryer filter in the base of the door frame, the Candy model requires you to remove the panel under the door and clean a filter behind it. It specifies that filters should be cleaned after every load.

Doozergirl

I have a Bosch.  It needs emptying on each load,  but it also comes with a kit to connect it up to the household waste.   We haven't connected it yet tho.  

You've just reminded me to put it on my snagging list!  

[Deleted User]

We have a Samsung heat pump dryer. As suggested above,  the water container  (situated top left of the machine) does need emptying after every load. It is a simple out; empty, and re-insert process. That said, if it gets forgotten, the machine will stop when it reaches the full line.

Don’t forget that on tumble dryers there is the standard door filter, and another filter which protects the heat exchanger is more difficult to access (bottom left at floor level with a click door and two locking catches) and clean. The Samsung will notify the user when this filter needs to be cleaned. 

herebeme

Thanks all. Very helpful. The kit to connect to household waste sounds great. 

I can probably do any floor level filters when I visit, but good to know that’s something else to consider. Might need to go look at some in store - shopping online does have disadvantages. 

grumbler

herebeme said:

Can anyone help? Specially heat pump, NOT condenser dryers. 

Heat pump drier IS a condenser drier, just more energy efficient and more expensive

theonlywayisup

We have a Miele which is 'plumbed' to dispose of water.   I have never used the tank but it is enormous.   If your mother has never used one she may need to be told that it is very different to a normal vented tumble dryer.  It can be noisier and it definitely takes longer on an automated programme, but ours uses less energy than the one it replaced (vented).

getmore4less

Key points have been covered.


Not all will come with the plumbing kit and won't be adaptable to be plumbed in.
(obviously you need it located where there is a drain)

The water tank can be top or bottom or door, most I looked were at the top.

Depending how good(efficient nor speed) the washer spin is a full load(or a few loads) can get close to filling a tank. 
My Grundig has a 5ltr tank(5kg when full) which may be be something to consider.

A few are self cleaning  which may reduce the second filter cleaning 

the Heatpump  tech has moved on quite a bit and there are different efficiency machines even from the same suppliers.
A++ or A+++,  look at the annual consumption for the same size machine gives a better comparison.

Also there is a newer option that includes a heater element as well as the heat pump, that has some advantages like can speed up a program.(they have different names for the same thing,  hybrid, Express dry, rapidry,........ 

be careful of the loads, and the ratings these are for a standard cotton load,  all other programs will have lower loads and the energy use for those will be different.  eg on a 8kg machine the rapid setting might be 2kg.  

Look for one with a good condenser efficiency, 
A(90%+) or the better end of B(80%-90% rated,


Prices yo-yo a lot so do research(pricespy) the price points of any you shortlist.

daveyjp

Most tanks are now on the top, they hold at least 2 litres when full and no need to empty each time, but they are heavy when full.

Be aware heat pump dryers can take hours to dry a load, which is why the hybrid models are coming to market.

getmore4less

With a good washing machine that has a efficient spin the dry times will be faster than specified

Drying time is not a big problem with some planning.