Heat-pump tumble dryers are a great alternative to vented or condenser models. It is more energy efficient, protects your clothes and the environment, and costs less.
The clever system of these dryers repurposes the air throughout the process. The air that enters the drum reheats and evaporates the moisture, allowing your clothes and the air to be reused.
Energy efficiency
A heat pump can do so much more than simply warm a building. It can even provide air conditioning, and today it is taking on laundry, which is among the most energy-intensive appliances that can be found in modern homes. It does it using only a tiny amount of energy that traditional drying machines use.
The secret lies in the movement of heat and not generating it. Instead of relying on the heating element to evaporate the moisture inside the clothes, like a conventional electric dryer, heat pump tumble dryers make use of an air compressor that transfers heat between two cycles. This is accomplished by absorption of heat from the air around it and venting it out, which heats the cold air entering. The cycle repeats.
Electric heat pumps are less harsh on your clothes, as they operate at lower temperatures than vented dryers. Ventilated dryers operate at high temperatures which cause fabrics to shrink or necklines to be misshaped. This extends their lives and helps your clothes keep their colors and prints.
The venting of vented tumble dryers is not required. They can be vented outside with a pipe. They transfer heat from outside air into a drum stuffed with damp clothes. When the fabric spins, heat is transferred to the drum which is heated up to the same temperature as the room. The warm air evaporates water from the garments, which is either drained directly into the drain or stored in a tank which needs to be emptied.
The process continues but once the cycle is finished and the dryer vents away, it draws in new air from outside, which is controlled by your home's furnace or air conditioning for warming and cooling purposes. It replaces the conditioned air that has been removed by your dryer's exhaust vent, meaning you don't need to invest any more money to condition that outdoor air that you will use to wash your laundry.
This makes heat-pump dryers an excellent alternative for buildings that already have a heat pump in place to regulate indoor air. This is particularly relevant for buildings that are trying to connect all indoor air systems under one control system. Once all the equipment is connected to the central system, you can set it up so that the air that is conditioned by the central system of your building flows from one side of the building to the next and reduces the requirement for each appliance to work hard to condition fresh outdoor air for each washing or drying session.
Convenience
In a world that is increasingly aware of its impact on the environment it is sensible to select appliances that reduce the environmental footprint. Heat pump tumble dryers are an excellent choice because they consume less energy than traditional models and can help you live a more sustainable life.
The models that use heat pumps are more efficient than vented or condenser dryers that utilize hot air to evaporate moisture from the drum. They are able to reuse the heat they produce. Instead of venting out, the warm air from the dryer's evaporator would be filtered and reabsorbed in a water tank. Then, it is re-heated in order to repeat the process. This means that there's no need for an exhaust pipe, and you can safely position your dryer wherever you want in your home.
Additionally the heat pump tumble dryers are more gentle on your clothes, avoiding shrinkage. They do this by using lower temperatures for drying which protect your clothes and prolongs their life. Heat pump dryers can be used to dry delicate silk blouses and wool sweaters.
Adding to their convenience, many heat pump tumble dryers offer a range of clever functions that make laundry day easy. From automatic timer settings to an intelligent connection to your Miele washing machine, they're designed to work around your needs and seamlessly integrate into your daily routine.
Certain dryers with heat pumps have sensors that measure the amount of moisture that is on your clothes and adjusts the cycle time automatically. This can help to avoid drying too long, prolong the life of your clothes and conserve energy. Other useful features include add-on programs that allow you to run a second load of laundry while your initial load is done, and an automatic end-of-cycle alert to remind you to wash your laundry.
The heat pump dryers are smaller than traditional condenser dryers or vented dryers. This makes them more convenient to fit into smaller space. Their sleek designs are perfect for any modern design scheme. With a variety of finishes and colours available, you'll be able to find one that fits perfectly with your home.
Cleaning
As with other tumble dryers, heat-pump models come with two fine lint screens as well as condenser coils that must be cleaned after every load. They are easily removed and put back in the appliance. The models with heat pumps also come with an additional fluff filter that is two-part, which should be cleaned and opened with water or descaled regularly to ensure it works well.
It is essential to clean the moisture sensor inside the door of the appliance regularly, because it is susceptible to being affected by limescale and residues from products for cleaning and washing, affecting its function and resulting in poor drying results. It is possible to do this by opening the appliance door and using a fine sponge to thoroughly clean the sensor. It should then be closed again.
Maintenance
Even the best tumble dryer won't provide clean, dry laundry if it's not maintained properly. Tumble dryers can be prone to malfunctions and may be expensive to repair, however regular checks and cleaning is easy and can save you money in the long run.
If tumble dryer with heat pump is vented (expels warm and moist air via a hose of your home) then clearing the hose every three months is vital. This is because lint and other particles can build up in the hose, limiting airflow and making your tumble dryer less effective. Luckily, a venting hose is easy to remove and clear with a damp cloth or a vacuum cleaner fitted with brush attachment.
The lower filter of a heat pump tumble dryer may be somewhat more difficult to access, however it's still necessary to clean. The lower filter is situated on the lower part of the machine in the front of the heat exchanger. It can be unlocked by pressing two small levers. Rinse the filter and remove any hair or fluff, and then rinse it again until it's clean.
Tumble dryers with a heat pump are more expensive than vented ones, so it's essential to keep them free of lint and clean to ensure that they continue to perform at a high level. This will also reduce your energy bills.
It is also important to check the condition of the belt that moves the drum inside the tumble dryer. If you hear it squealing or notice that it's moving slower than usual, it could indicate that there is a problem with the belt.
Check that the fine mesh filters are free of lint. It's not always easy to spot but it's important to check it regularly. A blocked filter could cause your dryer to take longer to dry and could cause water leakage. It is also essential to make sure that the heat exchanger is not filled with fluff. This could happen when you don't empty the reservoir every cycle or when you load too much washing into one cycle, and your machine will sound or beep to remind you of the need for emptying.
