Heat Pump Dryers Save Energy and Eliminate Potential Fire Hazards

Conventional dryers heat air using electric resistance or gas combustion and blow it over tumbling clothes and vent the warm, moist air outside. Heat pump dryers do not require vents. This reduces energy consumption and reduces the risk of fire caused by the accumulation of lint in the ducts.

These machines also operate at lower temperatures, and are more gentle on clothing. They may take longer to dry than traditional machines. Learn more about these ventless washing machines from Aztec Appliance.

Efficiency

A heat pump dryer can save you a considerable amount of money each year on your electricity bill. It uses 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 prices are some of the highest in the country, you'll save hundreds over the course of a 12 year lifespan by using a heat pump dryer.

A heat pump dryer is similar to a dehumidifier. The heat pump dryer begins with heated air, which is then pushed through coils to warm it even more. The hot air pulls moisture from the clothing into the heat exchanger where it's condensed. It then drips into a empty pan or a tube that can be connected to drain it. The cooled, moist air is then circulated back through the condenser coils, to be re-heated and the cycle begins again.

Heat pump dryers don't require an exhaust vent, which means they can be put in places that wouldn't fit a traditional dryer. They are also more quiet and flexible and suitable for homes and other areas with small space. They are also safer than dryers that have vents. Vents can cause fires when they aren't 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 is also essential to clean the heat pump dryer frequently because it functions as an air dehumidifier and can produce lots of moisture during drying. This is particularly important if your clothes are damp or you reside in a humid region. You can do this regularly by cleaning and checking the lint screen and the condenser coils. It is also recommended to clean the drain tube occasionally. Regular cleaning will keep the evaporator in good shape.

Condensation

The traditional method of drying clothes is using the use of a fan to blow hot air over the clothes. The air is then vented to the outside. This method consumes lots of energy and requires access to a vented outdoor space for ducting. Heat pump dryers--also known as ventless dryers re-use the air instead. They heat the air that is coming in by reusing some of the energy that goes to power the machine, then condense the moisture that results into water that drains out the bottom of the drum. They are also smaller than vented models and can be placed in a laundry room or attic.

Although they are popular in Europe and Japan the heat pump dryers are new to the American market. They're now available in sizes that will fit in most 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 address any issues that might arise.

Heat pump dryers work like the refrigeration system of refrigerators with an air compressor that presses a refrigerant in one set of coils to release heat. They also have an evaporator coil set that absorb warmth from the air passing through them. The heated refrigerant circulates in a second set coils to condense moist air. The refrigerant that has been cooled is then pumped back into the first coils, and is heated.

Like other dryers with electric motors like other dryers, a heat pump still needs maintenance to ensure its energy efficiency is at its highest level. Lint can build up on filters and the evaporator coils. It is essential to clean these regularly to prevent excessive wear. And they use refrigerants with high GWP (Global Warming Potential) and therefore, they have to be properly recycled as well.

Another disadvantage to be aware of is the fact that heat pump dryers usually take longer than vented ones to complete a job. This is because the maximum temperature of heat pump dryers is lower, at 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This means that they will need to tumble a little more time before they are completely dry.

Lint Screens

Heat pump dryers have a lint filter and venting system that need to be maintained regularly. A clogged vent can significantly extend drying times, and is a fire hazard. A vented dryer's exhaust can reach temperatures that are high enough to spark volatile chemicals and oils on clothing.

A heat pump venting system requires a dehumidifier to eliminate moisture before air is removed from the dryer. A dehumidifier will also help you save energy by reducing the temperature at which hot water is heated to warm the air.

The lint screen on a heat pump dryer is finer than conventional dryers, and therefore requires cleaning more frequently. The lint screen in the door's opening could accumulate lint. It is recommended to clean it often.

Heat pump models come with a heated drum, which means that the inside of the machine needs to be free of lint and residues from dryer or fabric softener sheets. The heated drum walls could also need to be cleaned and inspected periodically, as they may require to be replaced, as per the user's guide.

Lint buildup in the dryer's exhaust hoses isn't only a nuisance, it's also a major fire hazard that causes an average of 2,900 house fires every year, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Clean your dryer's lint-exhaust pipe every year with a wire brush, or heat pump Dryers make use of an air blower from outside to clear lint from the inside of the hose, as this How-to video will explain. It's safer to do it from the outside as you won't get lint on your face. If you're unsure of your ability to clean the duct, get an expert to handle it for you.

If you cannot feel the air moving through your dryer vent, or if you notice that your dryer is taking longer to dry, it could be that there is a blockage of lint deeper in the duct. Pick one day each year to clean your vents--Labor Day, the first day of spring, or the start or end of daylight saving time. Stick to it.

Installation

Modern electric dryers are one of the most useful features for homeowners. But choosing the right dryer is also an important choice for those who wish to lower their utility bills and make a positive impact on the environment. The heat pump dryer is an excellent choice for a variety of. They are different from vented dryers that are traditional, which utilize gas combustion or electricity for heating air, and then blowing the hot dried air into the drum to remove moisture. They reuse the air, pulling the humid air and cooling it, permitting it to be returned to the laundry room where it can be used again.

Heat pump dryers do not require chimneys, ducting or a chimney to vent outside. They can be placed in small rooms 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) and even additions. Heat pump dryers often perform better than traditional vented models because they are Energy STAR certified.

Unlike most other types of clothes dryers that require a separate circuit, the majority of heat pump dryers are made to operate on standard 120-volt, 15-amp electrical circuits. This is a benefit for older homes that have older wiring and can reduce the cost of installation.

However the fact that heat pump dryers are less powerful than other types of dryers means they are slower to complete a cycle. And because they don't have the back-and-forth motion of conventional dryers, large objects like towels and sheets could end up in a laundry sausage that is difficult to remove. Some manufacturers attempt to address this issue by changing the heat-pump tumble dryer cycle for brief durations during the course of a cycle.

The dryers that use heat pumps also require more maintenance than other dryers. Lint can build up on the heat exchanger and evaporator coils, requiring professional cleaning or periodic vacuuming to ensure they are operating at a high level. Heat pump dryers don't vent, and therefore they may accumulate moisture inside the dryer. This can lead to mold.