TV property expert Kirstie Allsopp has criticised new heat pump tumble dryers, saying they take 'forever' to dry clothes. The Location, Location, Location star shared her disappointment on social media after buying one of the appliances.
What is a heat pump tumble dryer?
A heat pump tumble dryer recycles warm air through a closed-loop system using a refrigerant instead of a traditional heating element. Popular models like the Beko BM3T3822W cost around £299 to £350, while high-end smart units such as the Samsung Series 5+ AI Energy retail closer to £579.
Kirstie said: “Just got one of the new heat pump tumble dryers having been told they were more energy efficient by a trusted source, but so far I’m disappointed it takes FOREVER to dry anything & I can’t think it’s good for things to be tumbled for so long, has anyone else had any experience?”
Followers report long cycle times
Followers shared their own experiences. One said: “I got one recently. Takes 2.5 hours on eco mode. Clothes don’t come out sizzling hot like the old condenser dryer. Mine has a refresh mode that takes 30 Min. Use it to air clothes. Often finishes quicker than 30min.”
Mr Rusty said: “Excuse my French, but they’re ****. The only good tumble dryer is full of electrical elements with no strangling electronics using all the amps the National Grid can supply. Heat those Y-Fronts !”
British Citizen added: “Ah, so you get the double advantage of all the moisture escaping into the room increasing damp risk plus the added benefit of your clothes not drying within a reasonable amount of time. Nice. Probably better off just putting them on a rack.”
Max said: “We’ve had one for a few years. It feels more gentle on the clothes, but because it takes 20-30 mins to warm up it doesn’t work with how I want to use it - like throwing things in for 5-10 mins after airing outside to get the last bits of damp or evening dew off.”
Energy savings praised
However, Barry highlighted the lower power use: “Been using ours for a few years now and love it. Lots of different settings and I generally set mine for low heat which takes longer, but it helps prevent things shrinking. I believe from memory that they use 1/3 of the energy that a traditional one uses.” Glenn agreed: “I love mine it’s very good.”
Manufacturer Beko explained that heat pump tumble dryers use a closed-loop heat exchange system that constantly circulates hot air. It said: “This system significantly reduces energy use because the dryer doesn’t need to constantly generate new heat, unlike condenser and vented models.”
On drying times, Beko said: “One of the main differences between heat pump tumble dryers and other models is the drying time. For example, an 8kg condenser dryer typically requires 142 minutes for a cotton eco cycle, while a heat pump dryer with an A+ rating takes about 209 minutes and an A++ model takes approximately 197 minutes. While heat pump dryers are more energy-efficient, they generally take longer to complete a cycle compared to vented or standard condenser dryers. Drying time can vary depending on the load size and fabric type.”
Beko added: “Heat pump dryers take longer to dry clothes because they operate at lower temperatures, which requires more time to evaporate moisture. However, this gentler approach is kinder to your clothes and offers significant energy savings.”
The company also noted lower operating costs: “Heat pump tumble dryers can consume up to 50% less electricity than traditional vented or condenser models by operating at lower temperatures. Since they recycle warm air instead of continuously heating new air, energy consumption is dramatically reduced. This difference can lead to substantial savings on your electricity bill, especially if you use your dryer frequently.”
