A Brief History Of Heat Pump Dryers History Of 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 to the outside. Heat pump dryers don't require vents, which can save energy and prevents fire hazards from lint build-up in the ducts.

They also use lower temperatures and are gentler on clothing, which means they may take longer to dry than traditional machines. Find out more about these ventless laundry machines from Aztec Appliance.

Efficiency

A heat pump dryer can save you a significant amount of money every year on your electricity bill. According to Energy Star, it uses up to 28 percent less energy than a conventional dryer. It might not sound like a lot however, in the case of a family that does 20 loads of laundry per week in Massachusetts where electricity costs are among the highest in the country and you'll save hundreds over the course of 12 years with a dryer that uses a heat pump.

A heat pump dryer is similar to a dehumidifier. It begins with air that is heated by a compressor and then sent through another set of coils to warm it even more. In this process, the hot air draws moisture from the clothing and then into the heat exchanger, where it's condensed. It drips into a pot which can be manually empty or connected to a drain tube. The cooled, moist air then circulates back through the condenser coils until it is heated again and the cycle starts again.

They don't need an exhaust vent. They can therefore be installed in places where a traditional dryer would not be able to fit. They also are more efficient and quieter, making them ideal for homes and other areas with limited space. They are also safer than dryers that have vents. Vents can cause fires when they are not cleaned regularly.

The dryers that use heat take longer to dry your laundry due to the fact that they operate at lower temperatures. It is also essential to clean the dryer regularly because it works like an air dehumidifier and can produce plenty of moisture during drying. This is especially true in the case of damp clothes 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 keep the drain tube clean. Regular cleaning will keep the evaporator coil in good condition.

Condensation

The traditional method to dry clothes involves a fan blowing hot air over the tumbling laundry and then venting that warm, humid air out. This approach uses a lot of energy and requires an outdoor space that is vented to vent the ducting. Heat pump dryers - also referred to as ventless dryers, recycle the air instead. They heat the air by reusing energy used to run the machine. They then condense it into water that drains from the bottom of the drum. They are also smaller than vented dryers, and can be incorporated in a laundry room or even in an attic.

The dryers that are heat pump, although popular in Europe and Japan are relatively new to the American market. They're now available in sizes that can fit into most home laundry rooms, and they offer significant energy savings and other climate benefits. Because they do not exhaust indoor air outdoors it is not necessary to clean your venting system or deal with any issues that might arise.

Heat pump dryers work like the refrigeration system of refrigerators using the compressor that presses refrigerant through one set of coils to release heat and an evaporator set of coils that absorb heat from the air passing through them. The refrigerant that is heated circulates through two coils to help condense the humid air. The cooled refrigerant then flows back into the first set of coils and is heated to repeat the cycle.

Like other dryers with electric motors the heat pump dryer still needs maintenance to ensure its energy efficiency is at peak performance. Lint collects on the filters, and on the evaporator and condenser coils, and it is essential to clean them often to prevent excessive wear. Additionally, they utilize refrigerants with high GWP (Global Warming Potential), so those need to be recycled properly too.

Another disadvantage to be aware of is the fact that heat pump dryers usually take longer than vented dryers to complete a load. This is because their maximum temperature, which is around 120degF--is lower than that of gas and electric resistance dryers. Therefore, they're required to tumble for an additional time before they're completely dry.

Lint Screens

Heat pump dryers have an air vent and lint filter system that needs to be cleaned on a regular basis. A blocked vent can dramatically extend drying times, and can pose a fire hazard. The exhaust from a vented dryer can reach temperatures that can ignite volatile oils and chemicals.


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

what is it worth on a heat pump dryer is more fine than the conventional dryers, so it needs to be cleaned more often. The lint trap that is located in the door opening is also an ideal place for lint to build up and should be checked and removed regularly.

Models with heat pumps have a heated drum, which means that the inside of the machine has to be kept clear of lint and residue from fabric softener or dryer sheets. The heated drum walls could also require cleaning and inspected on a regular basis, since they may require to be changed, as per the user's manual.

Lint buildup in the dryer's exhaust hose isn't only a nuisance, it's also a major fire hazard that causes an average of 2900 house fires every year according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Clean the dryer's lint exhaust hose once a year using a wire brush, or employ a leaf blower from outside to eliminate lint from inside of the hose, as this Today's Homeowner video will explain. This is safer to do from the outside since you won't get lint on your face. If you are not confident that you'll be able clean the ducts, you should hire an expert.

If you can't feel air moving through your dryer vent outside or the dryer is taking longer to dry than it normally does there may be an obstruction from lint within the vent. Choose one day a year to clean the vent system - Labor Day, the beginning of spring, or the end or the beginning of daylight savings time - and stick with it.

Installation

Modern dryers that are electric are among the most useful features for homeowners. But choosing the right dryer is an important choice for those who want to cut their energy bills and have a a positive impact on the environment. The heat pump dryer is a great option for many. They differ from traditional vented dryers that use electricity or gas combustion for heating air, and then blowing the hot dried air into the drum in order to remove moisture. They reuse the air, removing the moist and cooling it and permitting it to return to the laundry area where it can again be used.

Since heat pump dryers don't require venting outside and don't require chimney or ducting and can be placed in small spaces, such as laundry closets. This makes them ideal for tiny homes and accessory dwelling units (such as laundry rooms in the basement or an apartment over the garage) or even additions. The majority of heat pump dryers perform better than traditional vented models since they are energy STAR certified.

Contrary to the majority of clothes dryers that require a dedicated circuit, the majority of heat pump dryers are built to operate on regular 120-volt, 15-amp electrical circuits. This is an advantage for older homes that have older wiring, and could save you money on installation.

However the fact that heat pump dryers are less powerful than other types of dryers, means they take longer to finish the cycle. Because they don't go between the two like conventional dryers do, heavy items such as towels and sheets can become a laundry sausage which is difficult to unwind. Some manufacturers attempt to address this issue by turning off the tumble cycle for short periods of time during a cycle.

In addition, heat pumps require more frequent maintenance than other dryers. Lint can collect on the heat exchanger coils and Evaporator coils, which require periodic cleaning or vacuuming to keep them running efficiently. Heat pump dryers don't vent, and therefore they may collect moisture within the dryer. This could lead to mold.