Energy Efficient Heat Pump Washer Dryer

Heat pump dryers are poised to become household staples due to new federal incentives and impressive laboratory test results. These all-in-one devices require less time to dry and wash and are also ventless, which means they don't take the conditioned air from your home to vent it outside.

They also have the lower temperature, which is gentler on clothes. Read on to learn more about this fascinating technology for laundry.

1. Saves Energy

The use of heat pumps isn't limited to home heating and cooling, they're now being used in clothes dryers too. A heat pump dryer that is ENERGY STAR certified uses less electricity than a conventional dryer, saving you money on your electric bill. They use less heat to minimize wear and tear, and damage to your clothes.

Heat pump washer-dryers recycle the air used in the washing cycle. However it is then cooled and warmed by a condenser coil that is located within the evaporator. Then the warm air is pushed back into the drum to continue drying the clothes. This means that a heat pump dryer will not have to exhaust the moisture-laden air like vented dryers.

It's important to make your appliances as energy efficient as possible, as laundry processes consume a lot of energy. The best method to accomplish this is to combine an efficient washer with a dryer that uses a heat pump. This will enable you to maximize efficiency and start saving energy costs immediately.

Explore our selection of ENERGY STAR certified washers and dryers to start. You can filter results by model, energy consumption, wash cycles or spin speed. Be sure to check the yellow Energy Guide Label to see the cost of each appliance to run every year.

Combination washer-dryers can be an ideal option for households who are unable to afford two separate units or do not have enough space. They are plugged directly into 120-volt outlets, and do not require a special 240 volt venting or hookup system. These units are ideal for apartments and condominiums as they can be put in cabinets or under counters.

2. Reduces Noise

The majority of traditional clothes dryers utilize the hot gas or electric coil to heat the air that evaporates the moisture from your laundry. The air then escapes out of your home, bringing along the conditioned air you pay for to cool in summer and warm in winter. Your home has to perform overtime to make up for the lost condition by bringing in replacement air from gaps and cracks in your walls and around doors.

Heat pump washer dryers transfer humidity from one place to another instead of heating and venting it, which is fantastic news for homeowners with tight houses that can't handle extra airflow. It is also possible to install washer/dryer combos in spaces which they wouldn't normally be able to install venting dryers like under the stairs without sacrificing energy efficiency and performance.

While this is a major benefit of all-in one drying and Combos washing machines, they do have their disadvantages. It is important to allow sufficient time for each load since all-in-one machines require more time to complete their cycles than traditional dryers and washers. Additionally, combining two appliances together reduces the amount of laundry you can do at once, as it takes about an hour longer for colors and whites to dry than they would in separate machines.

Many manufacturers have begun to address these problems with simple solutions. For instance, LG's top-rated washer-dryer combo features an option that lets you prop the door slightly open while it's running to prevent the water from pooling and drying out of the drum. A lot of LG models such as our top choice, have a drain hole in the bottom of the laundry tub to let the water drain instead of pooling inside the drum. You can also purchase sound blankets that fit snugly around the heat pump in order to block out the noise.

3. Reduces Wear and Tear

Heat pump dryers don't heat the air, unlike traditional dryers. They just remove the moisture from clothes. This is more gentle on clothing. This helps conserve energy since it does not have to use energy to heat the air for the drying process.

That said, heat-pump dryers do require a bit more maintenance than standalone machines because the condensate drain tube needs to be cleaned regularly to avoid blockages. But, this isn't too different from cleaning a standard dryer.

The most notable difference is that heat-pump washer-dryer combos don't vent, meaning you can use them in a home without cutting into the wall exterior to run ductwork. This is a huge benefit for those who live in apartments, students, and others who don't want to change their living spaces or spend extra money on a new appliance.

These tumble dryers with heat pump dry clothes more slowly than traditional dryers due to the fact that they don't get nearly as hot. Many people were hesitant to use them due to the fact that they didn't get as hot. However manufacturers have upgraded their technology and the LG Signature LUWM101HWA heat pump dryer that is on our list of top dryers, comes with an average drying time of 37 to 70 min.

It is important to avoid overdoing the detergent. This can lead to excessive suds that can prolong the cycle and leaves a slimy layer on the clothing. (Readers frequently email us about this problem). Make sure you're using the recommended amount of high-efficiency detergents, and wash the dispenser drawer on a regular basis. This will ensure that your machine is running as efficiently as it can saving your energy and money.

4. Reduces Lint

A heat pump dryer uses less air to dry your clothes than a vented gas dryer or an electric dryer. This is because it does not blow hot, humid, air into your laundry, but instead, it extracts vapor at a room temperature from the air around your clothes. The vapor is heated by your washer and used to evaporate water from your laundry.

Because of this efficiency that a heat pump washer dryer isn't as heavy as a traditional vented electric or gas dryer, but it weighs in the vicinity of 88 lbs. This is a huge deal if you are planning to put it on the wall or combos in the closet, which might not have enough space for a vent.

Lint build-up could be a problem for all dryers, but the lower temperatures of a heat pump dryer restrict the amount of lint that can block the exhaust, preventing your clothes from reaching their maximum drying capacity. That also lowers the risk of a fire threatening your dryer or in its exhaust, which can occur when solvents and oils that are flammable from your laundry are absorbed into the vent or the dryer's evaporator.

To avoid lint build-up Be sure to clean your dryer vent at least once a year (more often when you have children or pets). You can make use of a leaf blower or wire brush to clean any lint in between the ridges of the accordion hose. It's better to clean this outside rather than inside.

To avoid overdrying, be sure to use a detergent with low suds and follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to set your water's level. Also, separate laundry by kinds of fabrics and wash delicates like silk with heavy linens or cottons. You won't shrink or overdye your delicates and the moisture sensor will detect when your laundry is dry enough to end the cycle.

5. Space Savings

They use less energy because they recycle and reuse hot aer. This will save you money on energy bills, and also on energy costs to heat or cool your home.

This method is gentler on fabrics and helps reduce shrinkage which is a major benefit when dealing with expensive clothing. It also eliminates the need to replace dryer vents that are clogged with lint and cuts down on the energy use that conventional dryers use to warm the air in the room before it can enter the dryer which helps keep your heating and cooling costs lower.

The heat pump washer-dryer combinations are designed to fit into spaces that don't have a separate laundry room, like in kitchens or closets. These all-in-one machines take up only one inch more space than the most vented front-load washers. They're not vented, so you can put them anywhere you have the power of 110-volts and water.

They're also simple to use. All you need to do is choose the wash and dry cycle that's best for your load and let them do their job. Then, you can take your clothes off when they're done.

These energy-efficient, multi-functional machines make it easier than ever to clean your laundry without breaking the budget. You can shop online or visit an Aztec Appliance showroom to find a washer-dryer combination that will fit seamlessly into your home. We offer the most competitive prices, promotions, rebates and special financing to make upgrading your laundry space more affordable. We're here to help you choose the right dryer with a heat pump for you!