Energy Efficient Heat Pump Washer Dryer
With the introduction of new federal incentives and awe-inspiring lab test results the heat pump washer dryer is poised to become a staple in the household. These all-in-one machines take less time to wash and dry and are also ventless, which means they don’t pull the conditioned air from your home to vent outside.
They also utilize the lower temperature that is gentler on clothing. Read on to learn more about this exciting technology for washing.
1. Energy Savings
They’re not just for home heating and cooling They’re now being used in clothes dryers too. An ENERGY STAR certified heat pump dryer uses 28 percent less energy than a conventional dryer and can save you cash on your electric bill. They use less heat to minimize wear and tear, and damage to your clothes.
Heat pump washer-dryers recycle the air that is used in the washing process. However it is then cooled and warmed by a condenser coil located inside the evaporator. Then the warm air is returned to the drum to continue drying the clothes. This means that the heat pump dryer won’t not have to exhaust the moist air like vented dryers.
Because the laundry process consumes significant amounts of energy, it’s worth trying to make your existing appliances as efficient as possible. This can be achieved by combining a washer and a heat-pump dryer. This will help you lock in maximum efficiency and save on energy costs right away.
Take a look at our selection of ENERGY STAR-certified dryers and Heat Pump Washer Dryer washers to begin. You can sort results by model, energy consumption, wash cycles, or spin speed. Be sure to check the yellow Energy Guide Label to see the cost of each appliance to run every year.
Combination washer-dryers can be a great option for those households who cannot afford two separate machines or don’t have the space. They plug into a standard 120-volt outlet and do not require a venting system or a special hookups of 240-volts. They’re great for apartments and condos, as they’ll fit inside a closet or beneath the counter.
2. Reduces Noise
The majority of traditional clothes dryers are heated by a hot electric or gas coil. This allows you to evaporate moisture from your clothing. That air is then vented out of your home, bringing with it the conditioned air, which you pay to cool in the summer and warm in winter. Your home will need to work overtime to replace the lost conditioned heat by pulling replacement air through cracks and gaps between walls and doors.
Heat pump washer dryers heat pump transfer humidity from one place to another instead of venting it and heating it, which is great news for those who live in homes that can’t accommodate more airflow. It is also possible to install washer/dryer combinations in places that vented dryers might not be appropriate, such as under stairs. This will not impact the efficiency of the energy or performance.
All-in-one units have a number of advantages however, they also have some disadvantages. It’s crucial to give yourself enough time for each load because all-in-one appliances take longer to finish their cycles than traditional dryers and washers. Combining two appliances into one can also limit the amount of laundry that you can complete in one load because it takes longer to dry whites and colors than if they were separate machines.
Thankfully, many manufacturers have started to address these issues by offering simple solutions. LG’s top-rated washing-dryer combination is one example. It has the option to prop the door slightly open when it is running to avoid water pooling and drying the drum. Many LG models, such as our top pick, feature an insignificant drainage hole in the bottom laundry tub, which allows water to drain instead of accumulating. You can also purchase compressor sound blanket wraps that are fitted snugly over your heat pump technology pump to minimize the noise it makes.
3. Reduces wear and tear
The heat pump dryers don’t warm the air, unlike traditional dryers. They just remove moisture from clothing. This is more gentle on the fabric. This also saves energy because it doesn’t need to use the energy required to heat up the air for the drying process.
The dryers that use heat require more maintenance than standalone machines since the condensate drainage tube has to be cleaned regularly to prevent obstructions. This is not a lot different from cleaning a regular machine.
Heat pump washer-dryer combinations do not vent. This means you can use them inside your home without cutting into the exterior wall to install ductwork. This is ideal for those who live in apartments as well as college students and other people who don’t wish to spend more money or modify their living space.
The drying time of clothes dried by heat-pump dryers is slower than traditional models because they don’t get quite as hot. Many people were reluctant to use them due to the fact that they didn’t become as hot. However manufacturers have upgraded their technology and the LG Signature LUWM101HWA heat pump dryer that is on our list of top dryers, comes with typical drying times of 37 to 70 min.
It is essential to not overdo the detergent. This can lead to excessive suds, which can prolong the process and leaves a slimy layer on the clothes. (Readers frequently write to us about this problem). Use the recommended amount of high-efficiency detergents and make sure to clean the dispenser drawer frequently. This will ensure that the machine is operating as efficiently as possible and you’re not wasting time and money.
4. Reduces Lint
When you’re drying your clothes using a heat pump dryer, it makes use of less air than vented gas or electric dryers. This is due to the fact that it doesn’t blow hot, humid air into your laundry but instead, it extracts vapor at room temperature from the air surrounding your clothes. This vapour is then heated by your washer, which causes it to evaporate the moisture out of your laundry which makes this kind of dryer much more energy-efficient.
Because of this efficiency, a heat pump washer dryer isn’t as heavy as a traditional vented electric or gas dryer, but it still weighs around 88 pounds. This can be a huge deal if you are planning to put it on a wall or put it in the closet, which might not have enough space for a vent.
Lint build-up can be an issue for all dryers, but the reduced temperatures in the heat pump dryer limit the amount of lint that can block the exhaust and prevent your clothes from reaching their full drying capacity. This reduces the chance of fire threatening your dryer, or its exhaust. This can happen when flammable solvents and oils from your laundry are able to enter the dryer’s evaporator or vent.
To reduce lint build-up, be sure to clean your dryer duct at least once a year (more often when you have children or pets). A wire brush or leaf blower can help you clear out any lint that’s built up between ridges in the accordion hose, and it’s safer to do this from outside your home rather than inside if it’s possible.
Make sure you use a detergent with low sudsing and follow the guidelines of the manufacturer on how to set up your water level so that you avoid drying too much. Separate your laundry into kind of fabric and wash delicates such as silk with heavy cottons as well as linens. You won’t shrink or overdye your delicates, and the moisture sensor will detect when your laundry is dry enough to close the cycle.
5. Saves Space
The dryers that use heat pump use less energy because they reuse and recycle hot air. This means they can help you save money in a variety ways, not just by saving on utility bills but also by cutting back on the amount of energy required to cool or heat your home.
This method is also gentler on fabrics, which reduces wear and shrinkage–a major benefit when you’re dealing with expensive clothing. It also eliminates the need for vents blocked by lint and reduces the energy consumed by conventional dryers to heat the room air before entering the machine. This helps to reduce your heating bills.
The combination of heat pump washer and dryer is designed to fit in small spaces, like kitchens and closets. These all-in one machines only take just some inches more than the best vented washers. They’re ventless, which means they can be placed anywhere you have the power of 110-volts and water.
The all-in-one appliances are simple to operate, too. You just need to select the right wash cycle and drying cycle for your load, and then let them work. When your clothes are dry, simply remove them.
These energy-efficient, multi-functional machines allow you to wash your clothes without breaking the bank. You can shop online or go to an Aztec Appliance showroom to find a washer-dryer combination that is a perfect fit for your home. We offer the most competitive prices, promotions, rebates and financing specials to make upgrading your laundry space more affordable. We’re here to assist you select the right dryer that meets your lifestyle and needs!