Who's The Most Renowned Expert On Heat Pump Washer Dryer?
Energy Efficient Heat Pump Washer Dryer
Heat pump washer dryers are poised to become household staples due to new federal incentives and impressive laboratory test results. These all-in-one units are quicker to dry and wash, and are ventless, meaning they don't take conditioned air out of your home to vent it outside.
The clothes are also treated with a lower temperature. Read on to learn more about this fascinating technology for laundry.
1. Energy Savings
The use of heat pumps isn't just for cooling and heating homes however, they're also employed to dry clothes. A heat pump dryer that is ENERGY STAR-certified uses 28% less power than a conventional dryer, which will save you money on your electric bill. They operate at the lower temperature to lessen wear and tear, and damage to your clothes.
During the drying process heat pump dryers use the same air that's recycled by the washing machine, however it passes through a condenser unit in the evaporator unit to warm up and cool the air. The warm air is returned to the drum to continue drying the clothes. This means that the heat pump dryer will not have to exhaust the moist air as vented dryers do.
It is important to make your appliances as energy efficient as possible, as laundry processes consume lots of energy. This can be achieved by pairing a washer with a dryer that uses a heat pump. This will ensure maximum efficiency and start saving on energy costs immediately.
For a start take a look at our selection of energy STAR certified washers and dryers. You can filter the results by model, energy consumption, wash cycles, and spin speed. Be sure to check the yellow Energy Guide Label to see the cost of each appliance to run each year.
Combination washer-dryers can be an ideal option for households that cannot afford two separate units or do not have the space. These units connect directly to 120-volt outlets and don't require a special 240 volt venting or hookup. They're great for condos and apartments, since they can be placed in a closet or under a counter.
2. Reduces Noise
The majority of traditional clothes dryers utilize the hot gas or electric coil to heat the air which evaporates moisture from your laundry. The air then escapes out from your home, taking along the conditioned air you pay for to cool in summer and heat in winter. Your house has to be working overtime to compensate for the loss of conditioned air by pulling in replacement air from gaps and cracks in your walls and around doors.
The heat pump washer dryers transfer humidity from one location to another, rather than heating it and venting it. This is great for homeowners with homes that aren't big enough to allow for additional air flow. It's also possible for people to put washer and dryer combos in spaces which they wouldn't normally be able to install venting dryers for instance, under the stairs, without sacrificing energy efficiency or performance.
All-in-one machines have many advantages However, they also have some drawbacks. They take longer to complete their cycles than traditional dryers and washers and therefore it is important to set aside enough time for each load. Combining two appliances can reduce the amount of laundry that you can do in one go because it takes an hour longer to dry colors and whites than they would if they were separate machines.
Thankfully, the majority of manufacturers are beginning to address these issues by offering simple solutions. For instance LG's top-rated washer and dryer combo comes with the ability to prop the door slightly open while it's running to prevent water from pooling and drying out the drum. Many LG models like our top pick, also come with a small drain hole in the bottom of the laundry tub to let the water flow out instead of pooling in the drum. You can also purchase a sound blanket that fit snugly over your heat pump to lessen its noise.
3. Reduces wear and tear
The heat pump dryers don't warm the air like traditional dryers. They only remove moisture from clothing. This is kinder on fabrics. This helps conserve energy since it doesn't need to use energy to heat up the air for the drying process.
That said, heat-pump dryers do require a bit more maintenance than standalone machines because the condensate drain tube has to be cleaned regularly to avoid obstructions. This isn't much different than cleaning a standard machine.
Heat pump washer-dryer combinations do not vent. This means you can use them in your home without having to cut into the wall outside for ductwork. This is a major plus for people who live in apartments or students who don't wish to change their living space or spend additional money for a new appliance.
Heat-pump systems dry clothes slower than traditional dryers because they don't get quite as hot. This is one reason why many people have been hesitant to accept them, but manufacturers have made improvements to the technology over time. A heat-pump dryer on our top dryer list -- the LG Signature LUWM101HWA, has typical dry times of 37 to 70 minutes.
The key to reducing drying time is to avoid overdoing the amount of detergent, which could cause excessive suds that prolongs cycles and leaves a slimy residue on your clothes (readers send us emails frequently about this issue). Make sure you use the recommended amount of high-efficiency detergents, and keep the dispenser drawer clean. This will ensure that the machine operates as efficiently as possible which will save you energy and money.
4. Reduces Lint
A heat pump dryer uses less air to dry your clothes than a vented gas dryer or electric dryer. This is because it doesn't blast hot humid air into your clothes, but instead draws the vapor of room temperature from the air around your clothes. The vapor is heated by your washer and then used to evaporate water from your laundry.
Due to this efficiency it is true that a heat-pump washer dryer isn't as heavy as a traditional vented gas or electric dryer, but it still weighs around 88 pounds. This can be a big deal if you plan to install it on a wall or in the closet, which might not have enough space for vents.
Lint build-up is a concern with all dryers. However the heat pump dryer's lower temperatures limit the amount of lint that can clog up the exhaust and stop the clothes from drying to their maximum potential. This also reduces the risk of fire threatening your dryer, or its exhaust. This could happen if flammable solvents and oils from your laundry are able to enter the vent or dryer's evaporator.
Clean your dryer ducts at least every month to prevent lint accumulation (more often if you have children or pets in the home). You can make use of a leaf blower, or a wire brush to remove any lint that has accumulated between the ridges of the accordion hose. It's better to clean this outside than inside.
Use a low-sudsing detergent and follow the guidelines of the manufacturer on how to set up your water level to prevent drying too much. Separate your laundry into kind of fabric and wash delicates like silk with heavy cottons and linens. This way, you won't overdye your delicates or shrink them too much. Likewise, the sensors for moisture have better chances of detecting when your laundry is completely dry to stop the cycle.
5. Saves Space
The dryers that use heat pump make use of less energy since they reuse and recycle hot air. This means they can help you save money in many ways--not just on costs for utilities, but also by cutting back on the amount of energy required to heat or cool your home.
This method is gentler on fabrics and helps reduce shrinkage which is a major benefit when dealing with expensive clothes. It also means that you don't have to clean out dryer vents that have become clogged with lint and cuts down on the energy consumption that conventional dryers expend to warm air before it can enter the dryer which helps keep your cooling and heating costs down.
Finally, heat pump washer-dryer combinations are designed to fit into tiny spaces that would not allow for an additional laundry area, such as in closets or kitchens. These all-in-one machines are just a few inches more space than vented front-load washers. They're also ventless, so they can be placed anywhere with water and a 120-volt outlet.
heat-pump tumble dryer are simple to use, too. You only need to choose the right wash cycle and drying cycle for your load, and let them do their work. Then, just pull your clothes out when they're clean.
These energy-efficient, versatile machines make it easier than ever to do laundry without breaking the bank. Shop online or head to an exquisite Aztec Appliance showroom today to find your new washer-dryer combo that is a perfect fit for your home. We have the best rates, discounts, rebates and special financing to make your laundry space more affordable. We're here to help choose the best heat pump dryer for you!