Heat Pump Dryers Save Energy and Eliminate Potential Fire Hazards

Conventional dryers make use of electric resistance or gas combustion to heat the air then blow it over the clothes. The warm, moist air is then vented outside. They don't require vents, which can save energy and reduce fire hazards from lint build-up in the ducts.

They also operate at lower temperatures and are more gentle on clothing, so they might take longer to dry than conventional machines. Find out more about these ventless washing machines from Aztec Appliance.

Efficiency

You can save a significant amount of money on your electric bill by using the heat pump dryer. According to Energy Star, it uses up to 28 percent less energy than a conventional dryer. It might seem like a lot however, if you are doing 20 loads of laundry each week in Massachusetts where electricity costs are among the highest in the nation, you will save hundreds of dollars over the course of 12 years.

The way that a heat pump dryer works is similar to the way it works dehumidifiers. The heat pump dryer starts with heated air, which is then circulated through coils to warm it further. The hot air draws moisture from the clothing and then into the heat exchanger, where it becomes condensed liquid. It then drips into a empty pan or a tube that can be connected to drain it. The cooled, moist air is then circulated through the coils of the condenser to be heated.

They don't need an exhaust vent. They can therefore be installed in places where a traditional washer dryer heat pump wouldn't be suitable. They also are quieter and more versatile, making them ideal for apartment spaces and other rooms with little space. They are also safer than dryers with vents. Vents can ignite if they are not cleaned regularly.

Heat pump dryers take longer to dry your laundry due to the fact that they operate at lower temperatures. In addition, since they function similar to a dehumidifier, and release a lot of water during drying, it's important to clean your heat pump dryer regularly. This is especially true in the case of damp clothes or you reside in a humid region. You can check this regularly by cleaning and inspecting the lint screen as well as the condenser coils. Also, you should clean the drain tube periodically. Regular cleaning will keep the evaporator coil in good shape.

Condensation

The traditional method to dry clothes involves an air conditioner blowing hot air over the tumbling laundry, then venting that warm, humid air out. This method uses a lot of energy and requires an outdoor space that is vented for ducting. Heat pump dryers, also known as ventless dryers, recycle the air instead. They heat the incoming air by reusing the energy required to run the machine, then condense the resultant moisture into water, which drains out the bottom of the dryer drum. They are also smaller than vented dryers and can be incorporated into a laundry area or even in an attic.

The dryers with heat pumps, while popular in Europe and Japan are relatively new to the American market. They're now available in sizes that will fit into most home laundry rooms and offer significant energy savings and other benefits to the climate. Since they don't draw the indoor air outdoors it is not necessary to clean your venting system or fix any potential problems.

Heat pump dryers are similar to the refrigeration system of refrigerators. They are equipped with a compressor which pressurizes refrigerant into one set of coils, which releases heat. The evaporator coils absorb heat from air that flows through. The heated refrigerant circulates through two coils to condense humid air. The cool refrigerant flows back into the original coils, and is heated to continue the process.

The heat pump dryers require maintenance just as other dryers with electric motors to maintain their peak performance. Lint can build up on filters and the evaporator coils. It is essential to clean these coils regularly to avoid excessive wear. And they use refrigerants with high GWP (Global Warming Potential), so those need to be properly recycled as well.

The heat pump dryers take longer than vented dryers to dry loads. This is because the maximum temperature of heat pump dryers is lower, at about 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This means they will need to tumble a little more time before they are completely dry.

Lint Screens

Heat pump dryers come with venting and lint trap system that must be regularly cleaned. A blocked dryer vent could delay drying time and could be the risk of fire. The exhaust of a vented dryer can reach temperatures that are high enough to ignite volatile oils and chemicals on clothes.

A heat pump venting system requires an air dehumidifier to eliminate moisture before air leaves the dryer. A dehumidifier can also help you save energy by lowering the temperature at which the hot water is heated to warm the air.

The lint filter of a dryer with a heat pump is much finer and needs to be cleaned more frequently than the one in a conventional dryer. The lint trap that is located in the door opening is also a good place for lint to accumulate, and it should be inspected and cleaned frequently.

The models that have heat pump also have heated drum walls which means that the inside of the dryer needs to be kept free of lint, good fabric softener and dryer sheet residue. The heated drum walls require periodic cleaning and inspections, since they may need to be replaced as specified in the user's manual.

Lint buildup in the dryer's exhaust hose is not just inconvenient--it's a serious fire hazard that causes an average of 2900 house fires each year, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. As explained in this Today's home owner video cleaning your dryer's lint-exhaust hose with either a wirebrush or a leaf blower. This is safer to do from the outside, as you won't get lint on your face. If you're not confident in your ability to clean the duct, get an expert to do it for you.

If you can't feel air moving through the vent of your dryer outside, or when your dryer takes longer to dry than it normally does, there could be an obstruction from lint within the duct. Choose a day of the year to clean your vents--Labor Day, the first day of spring, or the start or end of daylight saving time--and stick to it.

Installation

Modern electric dryers are among the most convenient options for homeowners. However, choosing the right dryer is important for those looking to lower their utility bills and make a positive impact on the environment. For many these reasons, heat pump dryers are a great option. In contrast to traditional vented dryers which make use of gas or electricity to heat air and blow hot, dry air into the drum to remove moisture, heat pump dryers reuse the same air over and over by pulling the moist air away from the clothes and cooling it, allowing it to return to the laundry area, where it can be used again.

They do not require chimneys, ducting, or a chimney to vent outside. They can be installed within small spaces, such as laundry closets. This makes them perfect for small homes, accessory dwelling units (such as a laundry room in the basement or an apartment above the garage) or even additions. The majority of heat pump dryers perform better than traditional vented models since they are energy STAR certified.

Unlike most other types of dryers for clothing that require a separate circuit, the majority of heat pump dryers are designed to operate on standard 120-volt, 15-amp electrical circuits. This can be a real benefit for older homes with older wiring and can reduce the cost of installation.

However, the fact that heat pump dryers aren't as powerful than other types of dryers, means they take longer to complete the cycle. Because they don't move between the two like conventional dryers do, heavy items like sheets and towels can turn into a laundry sausage which is difficult to unwind. Some manufacturers attempt to solve this issue by changing the tumble dryer with heat pump cycle for brief periods of time during the course of a cycle.

Heat pump dryers also require more maintenance than other dryers. Lint can build up on the heat exchanger coils and Evaporator coils, which require periodic vacuuming or professional cleaning to keep them running efficiently. Heat pump dryers do not vent, and therefore they may accumulate moisture within the dryer. This can cause mold.