20 Trailblazers Leading The Way In Heat Pump Dryers

Heat Pump Dryers Save Energy and Eliminate Potential Fire Hazards
Conventional dryers use electrical resistance or gas combustion to heat the air then blow it over the clothes. The warm, moist air is then vented outside. The dryers that use heat pumps do not require vents. This saves energy and prevents fire hazards caused by lint accumulation within the ducts.
They also operate at lower temperatures and are gentler on clothing, which means they might take longer to dry than traditional machines. Learn more about these ventless washing machines from Aztec Appliance.
Efficiency
You can save a significant amount of money on your electric bill by using the heat pump dryer. According to Energy Star, it uses up to 28 percent less energy than a conventional dryer. That might not sound like much but when your family is doing 20 loads of laundry per week in Massachusetts where electricity costs are among the highest in the United States, you'll save hundreds over a 12-year lifespan by using a heat pump dryer.
The way a heat pump dryer functions is similar to the dehumidifier. It starts with air which is heated by a compressor and is then passed through a different set of coils to warm it more. The hot air pulls moisture out of the clothing and into the heat exchanger, where it becomes a condensed liquid. It drips into an empty pan or a tube that can be connected to drain it. The cool, moist air is then circulated through the coils of the condenser to be reheated.
They don't need an exhaust vent. They can be used in places where a conventional dryer would not be able to fit. They are also more quiet and flexible which makes them suitable for apartments and other spaces that have small space. They are also safer than dryers with vents. Vents can cause fires if they are not cleaned regularly.
However, as they operate at lower temperatures than conventional dryers, it takes longer for your laundry to dry when using the help of a heat pump dryer. In addition, since they function much like a dehumidifier and generate a lot of water during drying It is important to clean your heat pump dryer regularly. This is especially important when your clothes are damp or you reside in an area that is humid. You can check this regularly by cleaning and checking the lint screen as well as the condenser coils. You should also clean the drain tube periodically. Regular cleaning will keep the evaporator coil in good shape.
Condensation
The traditional method to dry clothes is by using an air conditioner blowing hot air over the laundry that is tumbling and then venting the warm, humid air out. This method uses a lot energy and requires venting outside space to vent the ducting. Heat pump dryers, also referred to as ventless drying machines, recycle the air. They heat the air by reusing energy to power the machine, and then condense it into water that drains from the bottom of the drum. They are also smaller than vented dryers, and they can be built into a laundry room or even in an attic.
The dryers that are heat pump, although popular in Europe and Japan are relatively new on the American market. These dryers are now available in sizes that fit most home laundry rooms and offer significant energy savings. Since they don't exhaust the indoor air outdoors, you won't need to clean your venting system or address any potential problems.
Heat pump dryers are similar to the refrigeration system of a refrigerator. They are equipped with an air compressor that pressurizes refrigerant into a set of coils, which releases heat. The evaporator coils soak up the heat from the air that passes through. The heated refrigerant circulates through a second set of coils to condense moist air, and that chilled refrigerant is then recirculated back into the original set of coils and is reheated to repeat the cycle.
Similar to other electric dryers the heat pump dryer requires maintenance to ensure that it is operating at its highest level. Lint can build up on filters and evaporator coils. It is important to clean these coils regularly to avoid excessive wear. They also employ refrigerants that have high GWP or Global Warming Potential. They must be recycled.
They take longer than vented dryers to dry a load. That's because their maximum temperature--about 120degF, is lower than gas and electric resistance dryers, so they're required to tumble for an additional time before they're dry.
Lint Screens
The dryers of heat pumps have an air vent and lint filter system that needs to be maintained regularly. A blocked dryer vent could prolong drying times and create a fire risk. Vents for dryers that are vented can reach temperatures that are sufficient to ignite volatile oils and chemicals on clothing.
A heat pump venting system requires a dehumidifier in order to remove moisture before the air exits the dryer. A dehumidifier also helps you save energy by reducing the temperature at which hot water is heated to heat the air.
tumble dryer with heat pump on the heat pump dryer is finer than in conventional dryers, so it needs to be cleaned more frequently. The lint screen in the door's opening could build up lint. It is recommended to clean it often.
Heat pump models come with a heated drum, which means the interior of the machine must be free of residue and lint from dryer or fabric softener sheets. The heated drum walls require periodic cleaning and inspections, since they might need to be replaced as specified in the user's manual.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, the buildup of lint inside the dryer's exhaust pipe is more than just an inconvenience. It's also an ignition source that can cause 2900 house fires per year. Clean your dryer's lint exhaust the hose every year using wire brushes, or make use of a leaf blower from the outside to eliminate lint from inside of the hose as this How-to video explains. It's safer to clean the hose from the outside, so that you can avoid getting lint in your face. If you're not confident in your ability to clean the duct, you can hire an expert to handle it for you.
If you are unable to feel the air moving through the dryer vent, or if your dryer takes longer to dry, it could mean that there is a lint obstruction within the vent. Pick a day in the year to clean your vent system--Labor Day, the beginning of spring or the beginning or the end of daylight saving time. Then stick to it.
Installation
Modern dryers that are electric are among the best conveniences for homeowners. But choosing the right dryer is also an important choice for those who want to cut their utility bills and make an impact on the environment. For many these reasons, heat pump dryers are a great choice. They are different from vented dryers like traditional ones that use electricity or gas combustion for heating air, and then blowing the hot dried air into the drum to eliminate moisture. They reuse the air, removing the moisture out and cooling it before allows it to return to the laundry room where it can again be used.
They do not require ducting, chimneys or a chimney to vent outside. They can be put in inside small spaces like laundry closets. This makes them perfect for small homes, accessory dwelling units (such as a laundry room in the basement or an apartment above the garage) or even additions. They are often better than traditional vented dryers because they are energy STAR certified.
Contrary to the majority of dryers for clothing that require a dedicated circuit, most heat pump dryers are designed to run on the standard 120-volt, 15 amp electrical circuits. This is a huge benefit for older homes that have older wiring, and could save money on installation.
However, the fact that heat pump dryers are less powerful than other types of dryers, means they take longer to complete each cycle. And because they don't have the back-and-forth movement of conventional dryers, large objects like towels and sheets can become laundry sausages that are hard to unwind. Some manufacturers attempt to solve this issue by reversing the tumble cycle for brief periods of time during a cycle.
In addition, heat pump dryers need more regular maintenance than other dryers. Lint can build up on the heat exchanger and evaporator coils, which requires regular cleaning or a thorough vacuum to keep them operating efficiently. Heat pump dryers do not vent, and therefore they may collect moisture within the dryer. This could lead to mold.