Heat Pump Dryers Save Energy and Eliminate Potential Fire Hazards

Conventional dryers heat air with electric resistance or gas combustion, blow it over clothes that are tumbling, and then release the warm, humid air outside. The dryers that use heat pumps do not require vents. This saves energy and reduces the risk of fire caused by lint accumulation in the vents.

They also have lower temperatures and are more gentle on clothing, so they might take longer to dry than traditional machines. Learn more about these ventless laundry machines from Aztec Appliance.

Efficiency

You can save lots of money on your electricity bill by using a heat pump dryer. It consumes up to 28% less energy than a traditional washer Dryer heat pump according to Energy Star. That may not sound like much however, if your family does 20 loads of laundry a week in Massachusetts where electricity costs are some of the highest in the nation, you'll save hundreds over the course of a 12 year lifespan with a heat pump dryer.

The way a heat-pump dryer functions is similar to the way it works the dehumidifier. The heat pump dryer starts with heated air that is then circulated through coils to warm it further. During this process, the hot air draws moisture out of the clothing and into the heat exchanger, where it transforms into condensed liquid. It then drips into a empty pan or a tube that can be connected to drain it. The moist, cool air then circulates through the condenser coils until it is heated again and the cycle starts again.

Heat pump dryers don't require an exhaust vent, so they can be installed in places that wouldn't fit a traditional dryer. They are also quieter and more versatile and ideal for apartments or other areas that have a little space. Additionally, they are safer than dryers with vents, which can be dangerous if not maintained regularly.

However, as they operate at lower temperatures than conventional dryers, it takes longer for your laundry to dry using a heat pump dryer. It's also important to clean the dryer on a regular basis because it functions as a dehumidifier, and produces a lot of moisture during the drying process. That's especially true if you live in a humid environment or if your clothes have lots of moisture inside the heatpump dryer. You can accomplish this by checking and cleaning the lint screens and the condenser coils. It is also recommended to clean the drain tube regularly. Regular cleaning will keep the evaporator in good condition.

Condensation

The traditional way of drying clothes involves the use of a fan to blow hot air over the tumbling laundry, then venting that warm, humid air out. This method uses a lot energy and requires a vented outside space to vent the ducting. Heat pump dryers--also known as ventless dryers, recycle the air instead. They heat the air by reusing energy to run the machine and then condense it into water that drains out of the bottom of the drum. They are also smaller than vented dryers, and they can be built into a laundry area or even in an attic.

While they're widely used in Europe and Japan the heat pump dryers are new to the American market. These dryers are now available in sizes to accommodate the majority of laundry rooms in homes and can provide significant energy savings. Since they don't vent the indoor air to the outside, you don't have to clean out your venting system periodically or deal with the potential problems that can occur when you have a dirty venting system.

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

Similar to other electric dryers like other dryers, a heat pump requires maintenance to ensure that it is operating at its highest level. Lint collects on the filters, and on the evaporator and condenser coils. It is crucial to clean them frequently to avoid wear and tear. They also employ refrigerants that have a high GWP, or Global Warming Potential. They need to be recycled.

The heat pump dryers take longer than vented dryers in drying a load. This is due to the fact that the maximum temperature of heat pump dryers is lower at around 120degF. This means they need to tumble a little more time before they are completely dry.

Lint Screens

The dryers of heat pumps have a lint filter and venting system that needs to be cleaned on a regular basis. A blocked dryer vent could delay drying time and could be the risk of fire. The exhaust of a vented dryer may reach temperatures that ignite volatile oils and chemicals.

A heat pump vent system requires a dehumidifier to eliminate moisture before air is removed from the dryer. A dehumidifier can also reduce energy costs by lowering the temperature of the incoming hot water that is used to heat the air.

The lint screen of a heat pump dryer is softer than the conventional dryers, which is why it requires cleaning more often. The lint trap that is located in the door opening is also an ideal spot for lint accumulation, and it should be inspected and cleaned frequently.

The models that have heat pump also have an insulated drum wall, which means that the inside of the dryer needs to be free of lint fabric softener and dryer sheet residue. The heated drum walls require regular cleaning and inspection, as they might need to be replaced as specified in the user's manual.

Lint buildup in the dryer's exhaust hose is not just inconvenient--it's a serious fire hazard that causes an average of 2,900 home fires per year according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Clean your dryer's lint exhaust the hose every year using a wire brush or make use of a leaf blower from the exterior to remove lint from the inside of the hose, as this Today's Homeowner video explains. It's safer to do this from outside, so that you can avoid getting lint on your face. If you're not sure of your ability to clean the duct, get an expert to do it for you.

If you aren't able to sense air flowing through the vent of your dryer outside or Washer Dryer Heat Pump the dryer is taking longer to dry than it normally does, there could be a lint blockage deeper within the vent. Choose a day of the year to clean your vent system--Labor Day, the first of spring or the beginning or the end of daylight saving time. Stick to it.

Installation

Modern electric dryers are one of the most convenient options for homeowners. But selecting the right dryer is also an important decision for those looking to reduce their energy bills and have a a positive impact on the environment. The heat pump dryer is a great option for many. Contrary to traditional vented dryers that use electricity or gas combustion to heat air, and then blow dry, hot air into the drum to eliminate moisture and re-use the same air repeatedly by pulling the moist air away from the clothes and cooling it, allowing it return to the laundry room where it can be used again.

Heat pump dryers do not require ducting, chimneys or a chimney to vent outside. They can be installed within small spaces, such as laundry closets. This makes them perfect for tiny homes as well as accessory dwelling units (such as a laundry room in the basement or an apartment over the garage) and even additions. Also, because the Energy STAR label is a reputable quality mark of energy efficiency heat pump dryers are often more efficient than traditional vented models.

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

The dryers that use heat pump have lower power than other dryers, which means they take longer to complete a cycle. And because they don't have the back-and-forth movement of conventional dryers, large objects like towels and sheets can become a laundry sausage that's difficult to unravel. Some manufacturers attempt to address this problem by reversing a+++ tumble dryer heat pump cycles for brief periods during the cycle.

Heat pump dryers also require more maintenance than other dryers. Lint can build up on the heat exchanger coils as well as the evaporator coils, and require regular vacuuming or professional cleaning to ensure they are running at a high efficiency. Since dryers with heat pumps don't vent, they may also gather moisture inside the dryer, which can cause mold.