Tumble dryers · 3 min read
Heat-pump tumble dryers: worth it?
How it works, what it costs to run compared with line drying, and how to look after it.
In this guide
How it works
A heat pump warms air at low temperature and recovers its heat, like a small air conditioner. Laundry dries more gently, using about a third of the energy of an old condenser dryer.
Running costs
Since 1 July 2025 tumble dryers carry the new A to G label, which gives consumption in kWh per 100 cycles, an average of full and part loads. A class A or B heat-pump model declares about 80–90 kWh: over 160 cycles a year that is 130–150 kWh, roughly 40–45 € a year at 0.30 €/kWh. With a 1400 rpm washer, laundry goes in less damp and cycles get shorter.
Capacity
Match your washer’s capacity, or go one kilo up: a full washer load should fit in the dryer.
Making it last
- Clean the door filter after every cycle and the heat-exchanger filter monthly.
- Empty the water tank or connect the drain hose.
- Keep it in a room above 5 °C: below that a heat pump performs poorly.
