Heat pump tumble dryer - do they create condensation and how long is a typical program for fully dry

[Deleted User]

SnakePlissken said:

Some dryers have self cleaning filter, my Bosch has that. I only need to clean the dust filter inside machine at door , usually after each load, as if that is clogged doesnt seem to dry as well.

See them now  although I see why I never considered them last year - the price.   But yes, many models by Samsung, LG and Bosch seem to have this 'Auto Cleaning Condensor' function.  Great if you want to avoid scrambling around the floor when you perform a manual clean.  

doodling

Hi,

Neither a heat pump nor a condensing dryer should cause significant condensation - if they do then they are defective in some way (probably seals around doors / filter accesses / etc. no longer sealing properly).

Having said that, a heat pump dryer is less likely to emit significant moisture when defective.

Heat pump dryers will be cheaper to run.

macman

My only concern with the 'self-cleaning filter' feature is that,if it does fail, it's an engineer call out to clean it.as they're not accessible (at least not on my Bosch model).
Having said, that, it's now about five years old and still working well (which is probably tempting fate...)
The price premium for a heat pump model is now relatively small, and the payback period at current leccy prices much shorter.

marcia_

 Hope this question is ok here.

 How creased do both types of dryer leave clothes? I have a vented dryer and haven't ironed in years. No need if i take it out as soon as it's dry. But obviously want to save money bar the outlay of course. 

macman

Shouldn't make any difference if you use the correct program. The ones with auto-reverse tend to reduce tangling and creasing better.

Cirrus1

I can’t compare dryers, but mine has programmes with anti-crease function (rotates periodically after finish). It really depends on the material and drying level. I don’t have much creasing going on.

daveyjp

If your condenser is still working and is causing condensation it may only be a failed door seal or warped door and a new door may be a far cheaper option.

It will also be worth taking some panels off and removing any lint which has collected around the drum.

From my recent experience I'd not recommed a heat pump dryer.

Cost a fortune to buy, ours lasted four years (previous condensers more than 10 years) and had to be scrapped recently.

A load took a minimum of 90 minutes, but often much longer and often needed an extra 40-50 minutes to finish loads.

It was also impossible to do a quick dry cycle of maybe 20-30 minutes for a couple of items needed thee and then,

Replaced with another condenser and it takes less than an hour to dry a load.

SnakePlissken

Weave said:

macman said:

If your condensing machine is emitting that much condensation then I suspect that the condensate filter is blocked full of fluff-have you cleaned it (not the door filter)?

Thanks @macman for your advice and info. I did clean the condensing filter a couple of days ago but still lots of condensation. It may be the colder weather making the hard surfaces in the utility cold when the outside door is left open but it seems very bad at the moment.

Is the water tank emptying occasional from your experience with a heat pump dryer? We currently only have to do it once a month with our old condenser but that is possibly because most of the water seems to be expelled out the vent!

A towel dry will fill the drawer, I normally empty every dry cycle no mater how full it is, I dont like leaving water in machine. i think the manual said to empty once finished drying.
But its a slide out drawer so 2 mins to tip in sink and empty it.

Alnat1

Love my Bosch 8 HPTD. It's 9 years old and we've had no problems at all (hope that hasn't cursed it!)

The longest cottons programme shows 2hrs 38 when you put it on but the timer always drops down as the clothes hit a certain dryness and it usually takes around 90 mins for a full load. You can set 6 levels of dryness and I never iron. The fluff filter is easy to clean and refit. It automatically does a condenser clean every so often which adds around 10 mins to the drying time.

The dryer can be set so the water goes down a waste pipe (shares with my washer) or you can empty the container. No condensation at all in the room.

I also use dryer balls (mine are from Ecoegg) and these speed up drying time by around 25% (I tested them!)

dunstonh

We have a Bosch heat pump from about 6 years ago.  it certainly uses less power.  I looked at the energy earlier in the year vs modern ones but things havent moved on much.

It dries well with no condensation but we have a couple of dislikes
1 - Our model has no indicator to say the water tray is full.    When it starts getting full, the time it takes to dry is longer.   Look for a modern machine with a tray full indicator.   When we bought it, it was kept in a garage.  So, plumbing wasn't needed.  Now it is in an a laundry room with plumbing and I would get plumb to the exit water.   
2 - Make sure you clean the filter often.   As the filter clogs up, the dry time takes longer.  it says it has a self cleaning condenser but the filter under the window needs a good clean out of fluff quite often.    My handyman says his doesnt have a self cleaning condenser and he has extra filters that need cleaning out compared to ours.

if the water tray and/or the filter are full, then the time it takes will be longer and the clothes will come out damper.     So, two hours later and damp clothing reminds you that emptying/cleaning is required.  hence, why an indicator/sensor to remind you would be good. 

A while back, someone on here said their heat pump drier only turned in one direction and it was rubbish at linen as it would twist it up and wouldnt dry well.   So, make sure yours is bi-directional on the spin (ours is).