How To Outsmart Your Boss On Heat Pump Dryers 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 don't require vents. This saves energy and prevents fire hazards caused by the accumulation of lint in the vents.

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

Efficiency

A heat pump dryer can save you a significant amount of money every year on your electricity bill. It consumes up to 28% less energy than a traditional dryer according to Energy Star. This may not sound like much, but in the case of a family that does 20 loads of laundry per week in Massachusetts, where electricity rates are among the highest in the country and you'll save hundreds over the course of a 12 year lifespan with a dryer that uses a heat pump.

tumble dryer with heat pump that a heat pump dryer operates is similar to dehumidifiers. The heat pump dryer begins with heated air, which is then pushed through coils to heat it even more. In this process, the hot air draws moisture from the clothing and then into the heat exchanger, which turns it into condensed. It drips into a pot that can be manually emptied or connected to drain tubes. The moist, cooled air is then circulated over the coils of the condenser to be reheated.

Heat pump dryers don't require an exhaust vent. They are therefore able to be put in places where a conventional dryer would not fit. They are also more quiet and flexible and suitable for apartment spaces and other rooms that have limited space. Additionally, they are safer than dryers with vents, which can pose dangerous if not cleaned regularly.


The dryers that use heat take longer to dry your laundry due to the fact that they operate at lower temperatures. Additionally, because they work much like a dehumidifier and release plenty of water during the drying process it is essential to clean your heat pump dryer frequently. This is particularly important when your clothes are damp or you reside in a humid region. You can check this regularly by cleaning and inspecting the lint screen and the condenser coils. Also, you should clean the drain tube regularly. The evaporator coil can be susceptible to mold and bacteria, but regular cleaning should keep it in good shape.

Condensation

The most common method of drying clothes is using a fan to blow hot air over the clothes. The air is then vented outside. This method uses lots of energy and requires access to a vented outdoor space for venting. Heat pump dryers, also known as ventless drying equipment, recycle the air. They heat the air by reusing energy used to run the machine. They 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 in a laundry room or even in an attic.

While they're popular in Europe and Japan the heat pump dryers are relatively 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 climate benefits. Since they don't exhaust outdoor air they don't require you to clean your venting system or address any issues that might arise.

The heat pump dryers function like a refrigerator's refrigeration system with an air compressor that presses refrigerant within one set of coils to release heat. They also have an evaporator set of coils which absorb heat from air passing through them. The refrigerant that is heated circulates through two coils to help condense the moist air, and that chilled refrigerant is then recirculated back into the first set of coils and is reheated to continue the process.

Similar to other electric dryers like other dryers, a heat pump still needs maintenance to ensure that it is operating at its peak. Lint can build up on the filters and evaporator coils. It is essential to clean these frequently to prevent excessive wear. Additionally, they utilize refrigerants with high GWP (Global Warming Potential), so those need to be properly recycled too.

The heat pump dryers take longer than vented dryers to dry loads. It's because their maximum temperature of 120degF, is lower than electric and gas resistance dryers, which means they have to tumble for an additional time before they're 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 vent can dramatically prolong drying times and poses a fire risk. The exhaust of dryers vented can be heated to the point of igniting volatile oils and chemicals.

The vent system of a heat pump requires a dehumidifier to remove moisture from the air prior to it leaves the dryer. Dehumidifiers can also cut down on energy costs by lowering the temperature of the hot water used to heat the air.

The lint filter inside a dryer with a heat pump is much finer and must be cleaned more often than the one in traditional dryers. The lint trap in the door's opening is an ideal place for lint accumulation and should be inspected and cleaned frequently.

Models with heat pumps include a heated drum which means the inside of the machine has to be kept clear of lint and residues from dryer or fabric softener sheets. The heated drum walls might be required to be cleaned and inspected periodically, as they could need to be replaced, as indicated by the user's manual.

Lint buildup in the dryer's exhaust hose is not just inconvenient--it's a serious fire hazard and causes an average of 2900 house fires every year according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Clean your dryer's lint exhaust hose once a year using a wire brush or make use of an air blower from outside to clear lint from the inside of the hose, as this How-to video explains. It's safer to do this from the outside, as you won't be able to see lint on your face. If you're unsure of your ability to clean the duct, get a professional to do it for you.

If you aren't able to sense air flowing through your dryer vent outside, or the dryer is taking longer to dry than usual there may be a lint blockage deeper within the vent. Choose a day of the year to clean your vent system--Labor Day, the beginning of spring, or the start or the end of daylight saving time. Then stick to it.

Installation

Drying laundry in modern dryers is one of the most significant conveniences for homeowners. However, choosing the right dryer is important for those who want to reduce their utility costs and also have a positive effect on our environment. Heat pump dryers are an excellent choice for a variety of. They differ from vented dryers that are traditional that make use of gas or electricity to heat air, then blowing the hot, dried air into the drum in order to remove moisture. They reuse the air, pulling out the moisture out and cooling it before allowing it to be returned to the laundry room where it can again be used.

Since heat pump dryers don't have to vent outside they don't require ducting or chimney and can be placed in small rooms 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 for additions. They are often better than traditional vented dryers because they are Energy STAR certified.

In contrast to other types of dryers for clothing that require a dedicated circuit, the majority of heat pump dryers are built to operate on standard 120-volt, 15-amp electrical circuits. This can be an advantage for older homes with older wiring, and can help you save money on installation.

Heat pump dryers have a lower power than other dryers, which means they take longer to complete the cycle. Because they don't feature the back-and-forth movement of conventional dryers, large items like towels and sheets could end up in laundry sausages that are hard to unwind. Some manufacturers attempt to address this issue by reversing tumble cycles for short durations during the 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 that they function effectively. And since dryers with heat pumps do not vent, they could also collect moisture inside the dryer, leading to mold.