Conventional dryers use electric resistance or gas combustion to heat the air, then blow it over the clothes. The warm, moist air is then vented to the outside. The dryers that use heat pumps don't need vents, which can save energy and eliminate potential fire hazards from lint build-up in the vents.
They also operate at lower temperatures and are more gentle on clothes, so they may take longer to dry than conventional machines. Learn more about these ventless laundry machines from Aztec Appliance.
Efficiency
A heat pump dryer can save you a significant amount of money each year on your electric bill. It consumes up to 28 percent less energy than a traditional clothes dryer according to Energy Star. That might not sound like a lot but when your family is doing 20 loads of laundry per week in Massachusetts, where electricity rates are among the highest in the country and you'll save hundreds over a 12-year lifespan by using a heat pump dryer.
A heat pump dryer is similar to a dehumidifier. It begins with air that is heated by a compressor and then sent through another set of coils to warm it more. During this process, the hot air draws moisture from the clothing and then into the heat exchanger, which turns it into condensed liquid. It drips into a pan that can be manually emptied or connected to a drain tube. The moist, cool air is then circulated back over the condenser coils until it is then heated and the cycle starts again.
They don't require an exhaust vent, and so they can be put in areas that would not be able to accommodate a conventional dryer. They are also more quiet and flexible and are ideal for apartments or other areas that have a small space. Additionally, they are safer than dryers that have vents, which can be a fire hazard if not cleaned regularly.
However, as they operate at lower temperatures than conventional dryers, it will take longer for your laundry to dry using the help of a heat pump dryer. It's also important to clean the dryer on a regular basis since it functions as a dehumidifier and creates a lot of moisture during the drying process. This is especially important when you reside in a humid area or if your clothes have lots of moisture within the dryer. You can do this by checking and cleaning the lint screens and the condenser coils. Also, you should clean the drain tube regularly. The evaporator coil is susceptible to bacteria and mold, but regular cleaning should keep it in good working order.
Condensation
The traditional method of drying clothes involves a fan blowing hot air over the laundry that is tumbling and then venting that warm, moist air outside. This method uses a lot energy and requires an outside space for the ducting. Heat pump dryers - also referred to as ventless dryers--recycle that air instead. They heat the air that is coming in by reusing a portion of the energy required to run the machine. They then condense the resulting moisture into water that drains out the bottom of the drum. They're also smaller than vented dryers and can be incorporated into a laundry area or even in an attic.
The dryers that are heat pump, although popular in Europe and Japan are relatively new on the American market. They're now available in sizes that would fit into most home laundry rooms and provide significant energy savings as well as other benefits to the climate. Because they do not exhaust outdoor air, you won't need to clean your venting system or deal with any potential problems.
The heat pump dryers are similar to the refrigeration system in a refrigerator. They have an air compressor that pressurizes refrigerant through one set of coils, which releases heat. The evaporator coils soak up heat from air that flows through. The heated refrigerant flows through two coils to condense humid air. The chilled refrigerant is then recirculated back into the original coils, and is reheated to repeat the cycle.
As with other electric dryers the heat pump dryer requires maintenance to keep its energy efficiency at peak performance. Lint accumulates on the filters, as well as on the evaporator and condenser coils, and it is essential to clean them regularly to prevent excessive wear. And they use refrigerants with high GWP (Global Warming Potential) and therefore, they have to be recycled properly also.
Another issue to be considered is the fact that heat pump dryers usually take longer than vented ones to finish a load. This is because their maximum temperature, which is around 120degF is lower than gas and electric resistance dryers, which means they have to tumble for a little longer before they're completely dry.
Lint Screens
The dryers of a heat pump come with a lint trap and venting system that needs to be cleaned on a regular basis. A blocked dryer vent can increase drying time and pose an fire risk. The exhaust from dryers vented can reach temperatures that can ignite chemical and volatile oils.
A heat pump's vent system requires a dehumidifier to remove moisture from the air prior to it exits the dryer. A dehumidifier can also reduce energy costs by lowering the temperature of the incoming hot water used to heat the air.
The lint screen on a heat pump dryer is finer than the conventional dryers, and therefore must be cleaned more often. The lint trap inside the door opening is also a good place for lint to accumulate and must be inspected and cleaned frequently.
The models with a heat pump come with a heated drum, which means the inside of the machine must be kept clear of lint and residues from fabric softener or dryer sheets. The heated drum walls also require regular cleaning and inspection, as they might need to be replaced, as indicated in the user's manual.
Lint buildup in the dryer's exhaust hose isn't only a nuisance, it's also a major fire hazard and causes an average of 2,900 house fires each year, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. As explained in this Today's home owner video, you can clean the exhaust hose of your dryer with either a wirebrush or a leaf blower. It's safer to do this from outside, as you can avoid getting lint on your face. If you're not sure that you can clean the ducts, you should hire an expert.
If you don't feel the air moving through the vent of your dryer outside, or the dryer is taking longer to dry than usual it could be due to an obstruction of lint deeper in the vent. Choose tumble dryers with heat pump to clean the vent system - Labor Day, the beginning of spring, or the end or beginning of daylight savings time - and stick with it.
Installation
Drying your laundry in a modern electric dryer is among the most significant features that homeowners have access to. But choosing the right dryer is an important decision for those who wish to lower their utility bills and make an impact on the environment. Heat pump dryers are an excellent choice for a variety of. Unlike traditional vented dryers that use electricity or gas combustion to heat air and then blow dry, hot air into the drum to remove moisture, heat pump dryers reuse the same air repeatedly and pull the moist air from the clothes and cooling it, allowing it return to the laundry room, where it can be used again.
They do not require ducting, chimneys or chimneys to vent outside. They can be put in within small spaces, such as laundry closets. This makes them perfect for tiny homes as well as accessory dwelling units (such as laundry rooms in the basement or an apartment over the garage) or even additions. The majority of heat pump dryers perform better than traditional vented models since they are Energy STAR certified.
Heat pump dryers can be run on standard 120-volt 15-amp circuits. This is a huge advantage for older homes with older wiring and can save money on installation.
However the fact that heat pump dryers aren't as powerful than other types of dryers, means they take longer to complete each cycle. And because they don't have the back-and-forth movement of conventional dryers, large items such as sheets and towels may wad up into a laundry sausage that's difficult to remove. Some manufacturers attempt to address this issue by reversing tumble cycles for short durations during the course of.
Heat pump dryers also require more maintenance than other dryers. Lint can collect on the heat exchanger coils and evaporator coils, requiring periodic vacuuming or professional cleaning to keep them running efficiently. Heat pump dryers don't vent, so they can accumulate moisture within the dryer. This can lead to mold.
