Heat pump dryers are set to become household staples thanks to new federal incentives and impressive laboratory test results. These all-in-one machines are more efficient in washing and to dry, and they do not draw conditioned indoor air to vent.
They also have lower temperatures that is gentler on clothes. Read on to learn more about this amazing technology for laundry.
1. Saves Energy
Heat pumps aren't only used for cooling and heating homes however, they're also employed to dry clothes. A heat pump dryer that is ENERGY STAR certified uses 28% less electricity than a conventional dryer, which will save you money on your electric bill. They use the lower temperature to lessen wear and tear and damage on your clothes.
Heat pump washer-dryers recycle air used in the washing cycle. However it is then cooled and warmed by a condenser coil that is located within the evaporator. The warm air is pushed back into the drum to continue drying the clothes. This means that the heat pump dryer will not have to exhaust the moisture-laden air like vented dryers.
Because laundry processes consume substantial amounts of energy It's worthwhile to make your appliances as efficient as they can be. This can be accomplished by pairing a washer with a dryer that uses a heat pump. This will allow you to ensure maximum efficiency, and begin saving energy costs immediately.
Take a look at our selection of ENERGY STAR-certified dryers and washers to begin. You can filter the results by model, energy consumption washing cycles, wash cycles, and spin speed. Be sure to examine the yellow Energy Guide Label to see how much each appliance will cost to run for the year.
Combination washer-dryers are an ideal option for households who are unable to afford two separate units or do not have the space. They plug into a standard 120-volt outlet and do not require a venting system or a special hookups of 240-volts. They're great for apartments and condos, as they'll fit in a closet or underneath a counter.
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. That air is then vented outside your home, taking with it your conditioned air, which you pay to keep cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Your home has to work overtime to make up for the lack of conditioned air by pulling in replacement air from cracks and gaps in your walls and around doors.
The heat pump washer dryers move humidity from one place to another, rather than venting it and heating it, which is great news for homeowners with tight homes that aren't able to handle the extra airflow. It is also possible to install washer/dryer combinations in places that vented dryers might not be suitable like under the stairs. This will not impact the efficiency of the energy or performance.
All-in-one units have a number of advantages, but they also have some drawbacks. They take longer to complete their cycles than traditional washers and dryers which is why it's crucial to allot plenty of time for each load. Combining two appliances can reduce the amount of laundry that you can wash in a single load, as it takes a longer time to dry colors and whites than they would if they were separate machines.
Many manufacturers have begun to address these issues by offering simple solutions. For instance LG's top-rated washer-dryer combination has an option that lets you prop the door open slightly while the machine is running to stop water from pooling and drying out the drum. A lot of LG models, including our top pick, come with a small drain hole in the bottom of the tub to let the water flow out instead of pooling in the drum. You can also buy sound blankets that fit snugly around the heat pump to block out the noise.
3. Reduces wear and tear
The heat pump dryers don't warm the air unlike traditional dryers. They simply remove moisture from clothing. This is more gentle on clothing. This also saves energy because it doesn't waste the energy required to heat up the air to dry the garments.
They require more maintenance than standalone dryers due to the fact that the condensate drain tube has to be cleaned regularly to avoid blockages. But, this isn't too different than cleaning a regular dryer.
The most notable difference is that heat pump washer-dryer combos do not vent, which means you can put them in a home without cutting through the exterior wall to run ductwork. This is an important benefit for people who live in apartments, students, and others who don't wish to change their living space or pay extra money on an expensive new appliance.
Since they aren't as hot, they take longer to dry clothes than traditional models. This is a reason why that many people have been reluctant to accept them, but manufacturers have made improvements to the technology over time. 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 a slimy residue on clothes (readers write us frequently about this problem). Make sure you're using the recommended amount of high-efficiency detergents, and wash the dispenser drawer on a routine basis. This will ensure that your machine operates as efficiently as possible which will save you energy and money.
4. Reduces Lint
A heat pump dryer requires less air to dry your clothes than a vented gas dryer or an electric dryer. This is due to the fact that it doesn't blow hot, humid, air into your laundry, but instead, it extracts vapor at a room temperature from the air surrounding your clothes. That vapour is then heated by your washer to remove the moisture from your clothes, making this type of dryer much more energy efficient.
A heat pump washer dryer weighs 88lbs., which is not as heavy as a vented gas dryer or an electric dryer. This is a huge deal if you are planning to put it on a wall or in a closet that doesn't have enough space for vents.
Lint build-up can be a problem for all dryers, however the lower temperatures of a heat pump dryer limit the amount of lint that can block the exhaust and prevent your clothes from reaching their maximum drying capacity. That also lowers the risk of a fire threatening the dryer or in its exhaust, which could occur when flammable oils and solvents from your laundry are absorbed into the vent or into the dryer's evaporator.
Clean your dryer ducts at minimum every month to prevent the accumulation of lint (more often if you have pets or children living in the house). You can make use of a leaf blower, or a wire brush to clean any lint between the ridges of the accordion hose. It's safer to clean this outside than inside.
Use a detergent that is low in sudsing and follow the instructions of the manufacturer on how to set your water level to prevent overdrying. Also, tumble dryer with heat pump by fabric types and wash delicates like silk using heavy cottons or linens. You won't overdye, shrink or over-dry your delicates and the moisture sensor will detect when your laundry is dry enough to close the cycle.
5. Space Savings
Because heat pump dryers recycle and reuse hot air, they use less energy than vented dryers. This means that they can save money in a variety ways, not just in terms of costs for utilities, but also by cutting back on the amount of energy required to cool or heat your home.
This process is also gentler on fabrics, which reduces shrinkage and wear, which is a major benefit when dealing with expensive clothes. It also eliminates the need for lint-clogged vents, and reduces the energy consumed by conventional dryers in order to warm the room air before entering the machine. This helps to keep your heating costs down.
Finally, heat pump washer-dryer combos are designed to tuck into tiny spaces that would not have a separate laundry room, like in closets or kitchens. These all-in-one machines take up only one inch more space than the most front-load washers that are vented. They're also ventless, so they can be placed anywhere that has water and an outlet with 120-volts.
The all-in-one appliances are simple to operate, too. All you have to do is select the correct washing cycle and drying cycle for your load, and let them do the work. Then, just take your clothes off when they're done.
These energy-efficient, multi-functional machines make it easier than ever to do laundry without breaking the bank. Shop online or visit a gorgeous Aztec Appliance showroom today to find the perfect washer-dryer combo that is a perfect fit for your home. We offer the most competitive prices, promotions, rebates, and special financing to help make the process of upgrading your laundry space more affordable. We're here to help you choose the best dryer that is heat pump!
