Heat pump washer dryers are set to become household staples with new federal incentives as well as impressive laboratory test results. These all-in-one units take less time to dry and wash and are ventless, meaning they don't pull conditioned air out of your home to vent outdoors.
The clothes are also treated with less heat. Continue reading to find out more about this revolutionary laundry technology.
1. Saves Energy
They're not just used for cooling and heating homes and offices, but they're also used to dry clothes. A energy STAR certified heat pump dryer uses 28% less energy than a traditional dryer, and could save you money on electricity bills. They operate at a lower temperature to reduce wear and tear and damage to your clothes.
During the drying process, heat pump washer-dryers use the same air that is recycled by the washing machine, but it is passed through a condenser coil in the evaporator unit to warm up and cool the air. Then the warm air is returned to the drum to continue drying the clothes. A heat pump dryer doesn't have to expel the air that is laden with moisture, like vented dryers do.
It is important to make your appliances as energy-efficient as possible, as the process of washing clothes consumes a lot of energy. This can be achieved by combining a washer with a heat-pump dryer. This will help you to maximize efficiency and start saving on energy costs right away.
To begin to get started, take a look at our collection of the ENERGY STAR certified washers and dryers. You can filter your results by model, energy consumption washing cycles, wash cycles, and spin speed. Make sure to look over the yellow Energy Guide Label to see how much each appliance will cost to run every year.
Combining washer-dryers is another excellent option for households that can't afford to have two separate machines or do not have the space for them. They plug into a standard 120-volt outlet and do not require a venting device or special hookups for 240-volts. They're perfect for apartments and condos, since they can be placed inside a closet or beneath a counter.
2. Reduces Noise
The majority of traditional clothes dryers use heat to dry the clothes using gas or electric coil. This allows you to evaporate the moisture from your clothes. The air is then vented out of your home, bringing with it the conditioned air that you pay to keep cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Your house will have to work extra hours to replace the lost conditioned heat by pulling the replacement air through cracks and gaps around walls and doors.
The heat pump washer dryers transfer humidity from one location to another, instead of heating it and venting it. This is ideal for homeowners with homes which aren't large enough to accommodate an additional flow of air. It is also possible to install dryer and washer combinations in areas that vented dryers might not be appropriate for instance, under stairs. This will not affect the efficiency or energy efficiency.
All-in-one appliances have many advantages However, they also have some drawbacks. It's important to allow enough time for each load since all-in-one appliances take longer to finish their cycles than traditional dryers and washers. Combining two appliances can reduce the amount of laundry you can do in one go since it takes a longer time to dry colors and whites than be if they were separate units.
Most manufacturers have begun to address these issues with simple solutions. LG's top-rated washing-dryer combination, for example, has an option to prop the door open slightly while it's running to prevent water from pooling and drying the drum. Many LG models, like our top pick, feature an insignificant drainage hole at the bottom of the laundry tub that lets water drain instead of pooling. You can also purchase sound blankets that fit snugly over your heat pump to reduce its noise.
3. Reduces heat pump tumble dryer and tear
When a heat pump dryer is working it doesn't heat the air like a traditional dryer--it only extracts the moisture from the clothing which means it's much gentler on fabrics than a regular model. It also saves energy since it doesn't need to use the energy required to heat the air for the drying process.
But, they do require some maintenance than standalone machines because the condensate drain tube needs to be cleaned on a regular basis to prevent blockages. However, this isn't much different from cleaning a conventional dryer.
The most notable difference is that heat pump washer-dryer combos don't vent, meaning you can put them in your home without cutting into the wall exterior to run ductwork. This is ideal for people who live in apartments, college students, and others who don't want to spend more money or change their living space.
Since heat-pump dryers do not get as hot, they take longer to dry clothes than conventional models. This is one reason why many people have been reluctant to adopt them, however manufacturers have made improvements to the technology over time, and a heat-pump dryer on our best dryer list -- the LG Signature LUWM101HWA, has typical dry times of 37 to 70 minutes.
The most important thing to reduce drying time is to avoid overdoing the amount of detergent, which could cause excessive suds that prolongs cycles and leaves an oily residue on clothing (readers write us every day 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 runs efficiently, saving you money and energy.
4. Reduces Lint
A heat pump dryer makes use of less air to dry your clothes than a vented gas dryer or an electric dryer. This is because it doesn't blast hot, humid air into your laundry, but instead extracts room-temperature vapor from the air around your clothes. This vapor is heated by your washer, and then used to remove the moisture from your laundry.
A heat pump washer weighs 88 pounds., which is not as heavy as vented gas dryers or electric dryer. This can be a big difference if you're planning to mount it on the wall or in a closet that may not be big enough to accommodate a vent.
Lint buildup is a problem in all dryers. However, the heat pump dryer's low temperatures limit the amount lint that could block the exhaust and prevent the clothes from drying to their full potential. This reduces the possibility of a fire threatening your dryer or in its exhaust, which can happen when solvents and oils that are flammable from your laundry are absorbed into the vent or into the dryer's evaporator.
To avoid lint build-up Make sure you clean your dryer drain at least once per year (more often when you have pets or kids). You can use a leaf blower or wire brush to clean any lint in between the ridges of the hose of accordion. It is safer to clean this outside than inside.
Use a detergent that is low in sudsing and follow the directions of the manufacturer on how to set your water level so that you avoid drying too much. Separate your laundry according to the type of fabric and wash delicates such as silk using heavy cottons and linens. This way, you won't overdye your delicates or shrink them too much. Likewise, the sensors for moisture will have a better chance of notifying you when your laundry is fully dry to stop the cycle.
5. Space Savings
Since heat pump dryers recycle and reuse hot air, they consume less energy than vented dryers. This means they can help you save money in many ways--not just on costs for utilities, but also on the amount of energy used to cool or heat your home.
This process is also gentler on fabrics, which reduces shrinkage and wear--a important benefit when dealing with expensive clothes. It also removes the need for vents that are blocked by lint, and also reduces the energy wasted by conventional dryers to warm the air before it enters the dryer. This helps keep your heating costs down.
The heat pump washer-dryer combos are designed to tuck into spaces that don't permit an additional laundry area, such as in closets or kitchens. These units are compact and just take just some inches over the top vented washers. They're not vented, so they can be placed anywhere you have the power of 110-volts and water.
These appliances are simple to use, too. All you need to do is select the wash and dry cycle that's best for your load--and let them do their job. When your clothes are ready, simply remove them.
These energy-efficient, versatile machines allow you to do laundry without breaking the bank. You can shop online or go to an Aztec Appliance showroom to find a washer-dryer combination that is a perfect fit for your home. We offer the best deals on rebates, promotions, and special financing for upgrading your laundry room. We're here to assist you choose the perfect dryer that meets your lifestyle and needs!
