Heat pump vs condenser tumble dryer

How each dryer works

A condenser dryer heats air with an electric element, blows it through the tumbling drum, then cools that moist air over a heat exchanger cooled by room air. The water condenses and drains into a tank. The heat from the element is mostly lost to the room once the air has done its job, which is why condenser dryers draw a lot of power.

A heat pump dryer uses a small compressor and refrigerant circuit, much like a dehumidifier. A cold coil pulls water out of the air from the drum and a warm coil reheats the same air before it goes back in. Because the heat is recycled rather than thrown away, far less electricity is needed. If you want the science behind it, our explainer on how a compressor dehumidifier works covers the same cycle.

Energy use per load

Energy labels on tumble dryers show a figure for kWh per year based on a standard number of cycles, and many makers also list kWh per full load on the product fiche. Heat pump models typically sit at the top of the energy scale and condenser models lower down. In practice a heat pump dryer often uses less than half the kWh of a condenser dryer of the same size for a full cotton load.

Multiply the kWh per load by your unit rate in pence to see the cost of one load, then by the loads you dry each week. Our running-cost calculator does this for you, and our explainer on tumble dryer running costs shows how to read the label figures.

Drying time and clothes care

Heat pump dryers run at lower temperatures, so a full load often takes noticeably longer than in a condenser model. Many people run them overnight or while out. The gentler heat is kinder to fabrics that shrink or fade, and some heat pump models have specific wool or delicate programmes.

Condenser dryers get through a load faster. If your household needs back-to-back loads on a Sunday afternoon, that speed can matter more than the energy figure. Sensor drying, which stops the cycle when the clothes are dry, helps both types avoid wasted time and over-drying.

Where they can go and what they do to the room

Neither type needs a hole in the wall, which is the big advantage over a vented tumble dryer. A condenser dryer pushes warm air into the room around it, so a small cupboard can get hot and a little humid. Most manuals ask for a minimum gap around the machine and an air supply, so check the installation section before you put either type in a closed cupboard.

A heat pump dryer releases much less heat and moisture into the room. Neither type should be run in a space that drops below the temperature range in the manual, such as an unheated garage in winter, because the condensing process works less well and heat pump models in particular can struggle in the cold.

Note:Clean the lint filter after every load and follow the manual for the condenser or heat exchanger filter. Blocked filters make any dryer run longer and hotter.

Which suits your home

A heat pump dryer makes most sense if you dry several loads a week, live in a small home where heat and humidity from the dryer would be a nuisance, or care about gentle drying. A condenser dryer suits occasional users, people who need speed, and tight budgets. If you only dry a load or two a week in the colder months, a dehumidifier in a closed room may be a cheaper option still, as compared in dehumidifier vs tumble dryer.

• Several loads a week: heat pump
• Small flat, dryer in a cupboard: heat pump
• Need speed, occasional use: condenser
• Lowest upfront spend: condenser
• Only winter laundry, one load at a time: consider a dehumidifier

See dehumidifiers for drying clothes →

Frequently asked questions

Is a heat pump tumble dryer worth it? Usually yes if you dry clothes often, because the lower kWh per load adds up over the years. If you dry rarely, the extra purchase price takes a long time to pay back.

Why does a heat pump dryer take longer? It dries at a lower temperature by recycling warm air through a refrigerant circuit, so moisture leaves the fabric more slowly than with a hot element.

Can I plumb either type into a drain? Most condenser and heat pump dryers come with an option to run the water hose to a sink waste or drain instead of emptying the tank. Check the manual for the kit and the maximum height.

Do they make the room damp? They are designed to keep the water in a tank, but a condenser dryer releases warm air and a little moisture, so keep the room ventilated. A heat pump dryer releases much less.