Heat pump dryer or condenser dryer?
Comparing dryers
| Heat pump dryer | Condenser dryer | |
|---|---|---|
| Energy-efficient | Yes | No |
| Better for your laundry | Yes (due to low temperature) | No (due to high temperature) |
| Dries quickly | No | Yes |
| Drain options | Condensation water tank/condensate drain hose | Condensation water tank/condensate drain hose |
Energy consumption
Heat pump dryer: very energy-efficient
Although a heat pump dryer is a bit more expensive, it'll save you a lot of money every year. With an A+++ model for 8 kilos of laundry, you can save up to € 75 in annual energy costs compared to a condenser dryer with energy label B. On average, over the entire lifespan of the appliance, you can save up to € 999 with an A+++ model. As an example, we use a dryer that lasts up to 12 years on average, depending on its usage.
Condenser dryer: not energy-efficient
In comparison with an A+++ heat pump dryer, a condenser dryer doesn't dry economically. A condenser dryer with energy label B has, on average, € 75 more in annual energy costs compared to an A+++ heat pump dryer. Over the entire lifespan of the device, you spend an average of € 999 more on a condenser dryer. Here, too, we use a dryer that, depending its usage, lasts up to 12 years on average.
Drying temperature
Heat pump dryer: low (laundry stays nice longer)
With a heat pump dryer, your laundry will look good for a long time thanks to the low drying temperature. This is because a heat pump dryer works with a heat pump and a coolant. The coolant of the heat pump dryer ensures that the dryer dries at a lower temperature. Unlike a condenser dryer that works with a heat element, your laundry doesn't come into contact with high temperatures in a heat pump dryer. Your laundry will stay beautiful longer and shrink or wear less quickly.
Condenser dryer: high (laundry wears faster)
Due to the high drying temperature of a condenser dryer, you have a greater chance of your laundry shrinking or wearing. Unlike a heat pump dryer, which works with a heat pump and a coolant, a condenser dryer uses a heat element to dry laundry. As the element is getting warmer, the dry air reaches a high temperature. Your laundry won't last as long with a condenser dryer as with a heat pump dryer.
Cycle duration
Heat pump dryer: dries less quickly
When drying with a heat pump dryer, you have to be patient because of the low drying temperature. An A+++ heat pump dryer with an 8-kilo load capacity takes an average of 2 hours and 45 minutes to dry a full drum of laundry. This is half an hour longer than with a condenser dryer. Remember that your laundry with a heat pump dryer lasts longer and you save a lot of energy.
Condenser dryer: dries quickly
Because a condenser dryer uses a heat element to dry, your laundry dries relatively quickly. On average, a condenser dryer takes 2 hours and 15 minutes to dry 8 kilos of laundry. This is half an hour faster than with a heat pump dryer. Remember that with a condenser dryer, your laundry will last longer and you use a lot of energy. This is due to the high drying temperature.
What should I choose?
Do you want to dry energy-efficiently? If so, buy a heat pump dryer, which saves you up to € 75 in energy costs per year. Your laundry will stay beautiful longer. Do you want to dry quickly? If so, take a condenser dryer. Due to the high drying temperature, it does use more energy and your laundry will wear out faster.
