10 Tips To Know About 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 moist, warm air is then blown outside. Heat pump dryers do not require vents. tumble dryer with heat pump saves energy and prevents fire hazards caused by lint accumulation in the ducts.

They also use lower temperatures and are gentler on clothing, which means they may take longer to dry than conventional machines. Aztec Appliance has more information regarding these ventless washing machines.

Efficiency

You can save lots of money on your electricity bill by using the heat pump dryer. According to Energy Star, it uses up to 28 percent less energy than a conventional dryer. It may not seem like much but if you wash 20 loads of laundry a week in Massachusetts where electricity rates are among the highest in the country, you will save hundreds of dollars over twelve years.

A heat pump dryer is similar to a dehumidifier. It starts with air that's heated by a compressor, and is then passed through a different set of coils to warm it more. During this process the hot air pulls moisture from the clothing and then into the heat exchanger, where it's condensed. It drips out into an empty pan or a tube that can be connected to drain it. The cool, moist air is then circulated through the condenser coils until it is heated again and the cycle starts again.

They don't require an exhaust vent. They are therefore able to be put in areas where a conventional dryer would not be able to fit. They are also quieter and more versatile and ideal for apartments or other areas with little space. In addition, they are safer than dryers that have vents, which could be an fire hazard if they are not maintained regularly.

The dryers that use heat take longer to dry your laundry because they operate at lower temperatures. It is also essential to clean the heat pump dryer frequently because it functions as a dehumidifier and creates a lot of moisture during drying. This is especially important if your clothes are damp or you reside in a humid region. You can accomplish this by regularly inspecting and cleaning the lint screens and the condenser coils. Also, you should clean the drain tube every now and then. The evaporator coil is also susceptible to bacteria and mold However, regular cleaning is required to keep it in good working order.

Condensation

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

Although they are widely used in Europe and Japan The heat pump dryers are new to the American market. They're now available in sizes that will fit into most home laundry rooms and provide significant energy savings as well as other benefits to the climate. Because they don't draw the indoor air to the outside it isn't necessary to clean your venting system regularly or deal with the potential issues that can arise with a dirty one.


They are similar to the refrigeration system in refrigerators. They have a compressor which pressurizes refrigerant into one set of coils, releasing heat. The evaporator coils absorb warmth from air passing through. The refrigerant that is heated circulates through two coils to condense the humid air. The chilled refrigerant is then recirculated back into the first coils, and is heated to repeat the process.

Heat pump dryers require maintenance like other electric dryers to keep their efficiency at a high level. Lint accumulates on the filters, and on the condenser and evaporator coils. It is crucial to clean them regularly to avoid excessive wear. They also use refrigerants that have a high GWP, or Global Warming Potential. They must be recycled.

Another drawback to consider is the fact that heat pump dryers generally take longer than vented ones to complete a load. That's because their maximum temperature--about 120degF, is lower than gas and electric resistance dryers, so they're required to tumble some time before they're completely dry.

Lint Screens

Heat pump dryers come with venting and lint trap system that needs to be cleaned on a regular basis. A clogged vent can significantly prolong drying times and can pose a fire hazard. A vented dryer's exhaust can reach temperatures that are sufficient to ignite volatile oils and chemicals on clothes.

The vent system of a heat pump requires a dehumidifier to eliminate moisture from the air prior to it exits the dryer. A dehumidifier can also reduce energy costs by lowering temperature of the incoming hot water used to heat the air.

The lint filter in a dryer with a heat pump is much finer and needs to be cleaned more frequently than those in a conventional dryer. The lint trap in the door's opening is an ideal spot for lint accumulation and should be checked and removed regularly.

Heat pump models also have heated drum walls, which means that the inside of the dryer must be free of lint, fabric softener and dryer sheet residue. The heated drum walls might also require cleaning and inspected regularly, as they could need to be changed, according to the user's guide.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, lint buildup inside the dryer's exhaust pipe is more than an inconvenience. It's also an ignition source that can cause 2,900 housefires on average each year. Clean your dryer's lint-exhaust hose once a year using a wire brush or employ an air blower from outside to eliminate lint from inside of the hose, as this How-to video explains. It's better to do this from the outside, since you will avoid getting lint in your face. If you're not sure that you'll be able to clean the ducts, hire an expert.

If you aren't able to sense air flowing through the vent of your dryer outside or when your dryer takes longer to dry than it normally does, there could be a lint blockage deeper in the duct. Pick a day in the year to clean your vents--Labor Day, the first day of spring, or the day that marks the beginning or the end of daylight saving time--and stick to it.

Installation

Modern dryers that are electric are among the most useful features for homeowners. However, choosing 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. For many these reasons, heat pump dryers are an ideal option. Unlike traditional vented dryers that use electricity or gas combustion to heat air, and then blow hot, dry air into the drum to eliminate moisture and re-use the same air repeatedly and pull the moist air out of the clothes and cooling it down, allowing it to return to the laundry area, where it can be used again.

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

Heat pump dryers can be run on standard 120-volt 15-amp circuits. This can be an advantage for older homes with older wiring, and could save you money on installation.

They have lower power than other dryers, so they take longer to complete a cycle. Since they don't move between the two like conventional dryers do, large items like sheets and towels can turn into a laundry sausage which is difficult to unravel. Some manufacturers attempt to address this issue by reversing the tumble cycle for short periods of time during the course of a cycle.

Heat pump dryers also require more maintenance than other dryers. Lint can accumulate on the heat exchanger and evaporator coils, and require professional cleaning or periodic vacuuming to ensure that they function effectively. Because heat pump dryers do not vent, they could also accumulate moisture on the inside of the dryer, causing mold.