Tumble driers - heat pump v condenser v heater

[Lard]

Hi All,
I'd like some opinions from anyone who has first-hand experience please.

I'm in the middle of converting our single skin garage into a utility room that will house the washing machine and tumble drier. Although it was single skin brickwork, I've insulated it internally with 19 layer multifoil and it's clad externally with red cedar.

My query is do I fit an 'old fashioned' heater tumble drier or a new heat pump version or, go middle ground, with a condenser model?

I understand that the newer versions need minimum temperatures in order to operate efficiently and so I will be ensuring some form of background heating is provided in the garage.

We also have a 4kw solar panel system (with no battery) and so I should factor this into my final decision.

I would like to go modern with a heat pump but I'm reading that even though they are energy efficient they take 2-3 times as long which means that any bearings etc get 2-3 times as much wear. I'm told that they also cannot be easily self-maintained and instead need an engineer to work on them.

I'm also reading that some who have fitted condenser models have found they do not last?

Anyone changed theirs or been in a similar position as me?

Thanks.

 

[Sideways]

We bought a Bosch series 6 pair of washer and heat pump dryer a few months ago.
It's indoors in a kitchen so the primary concern was something that wasn't bigger than the appliances being replaced, but we're v happy with them based on the first few months.
I'd experimented with drying clothes using a dehumidifier in an airing cupboard and this worked well, but the space was needed for something else so a heat pump drier was the way to go.
It's the way of the world - when you most need to use the tumble dryer in winter, you don't have solar power to burn in an old style machine.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

We've had a condenser Beko cheapie for 12 years or so with no issues.