Energy Efficient Heat Pump Washer Dryer
Heat pump dryers are set to become household staples with new federal incentives and awe-inspiring laboratory test results. These all-in-one units require less time to dry and wash, and are ventless, meaning they don’t take the conditioned air from your home to vent outdoors.
They also utilize the lower temperature that is gentler on clothing. Continue reading to learn more about this cutting-edge laundry technology.
1. Saves Energy
The use of heat pumps isn’t just to cool and heat homes and offices, but they’re also employed to dry clothes. An energy STAR certified heat pump dryer consumes 28 percent less energy than a traditional dryer and can save you money on electricity bills. They operate at a lower temperature, which reduces wear and wear on your clothes and the environment.
Heat pump washer-dryers recycle air used during the washing process. However it is cooled, then warmed by a condenser coil located inside the evaporator. The warm air is then pushed into the drum to continue drying clothes. A heat pump dryer does not require exhausting the air that is laden with moisture, like vented dryers do.
Because the laundry process consumes significant amounts of energy It’s worthwhile to make your existing appliances as efficient as they can be. The best method to accomplish this is to combine an efficient washer with a high-efficiency heat pump dryer. This will help you lock in maximum efficiency and save on energy costs immediately.
Take a look at our selection of ENERGY STAR-certified washers and dryers to start. You can filter your results by model, energy consumption wash cycles, as well as spin speed. Make sure to look over the yellow Energy Guide Label to see how much each appliance will cost to run for the year.
Combination washer-dryers can be a great option for those households who cannot afford two separate machines or do not have the space. They are plugged into a 120-volt standard outlet and offer don’t require a venting system or special hookups of 240-volts. These units are great for condominiums and apartments as they can be tucked away in cabinets or under the counter.
2. Reduces Noise
The majority of traditional dryers employ a hot gas or electric coil to heat the air that evaporates moisture from your laundry. The vaporized air is then blown outside of your home, taking with it your conditioned air that you’re paying to cool in summer and warm in the winter. Your house will have to work overtime in order to replace the lost conditioned heat by pulling replacement air through gaps and cracks around doors and walls.
Heat pump washer dryers transfer humidity from one location to another, rather than venting it and heating it, which is fantastic news for homeowners with tight homes that can’t accommodate more air flow. It is also possible to put in washer/dryer combos in areas where a vented dryer would not be suitable for instance, under stairs. This will not impact the efficiency or energy efficiency.
All-in-one units have a number of advantages however, they also have a few drawbacks. It’s important to allow enough time for each load as all-in-one machines require more time to complete their cycles than traditional dryers and washers. Also, combining two appliances into one reduces the amount of laundry you’re able do at once, as it takes approximately an hour longer for whites and colors to dry than they would in separate machines.
Thankfully, the majority of manufacturers are beginning to address these issues by offering simple solutions. LG’s top-rated washing-dryer set-up includes a feature where you can prop the door open slightly while it is running to avoid the water from pooling and drying out the drum. Many LG models such as our top pick, also have a small drain hole at the bottom of the tub to let the water flow out instead of accumulating in the drum. You can also purchase sound blankets that are fitted around the heat pump to block out noise.
3. Reduces wear and tear
When a heat pump dryer works it doesn’t heat up the air like a conventional dryer. Instead, it only extracts the moisture from the clothes which means it’s much gentler on fabrics than a regular model. It also saves energy since it doesn’t need to use the energy that it takes to heat the air up to dry the clothes.
That said, heat-pump dryers do require a little more maintenance than standalone machines because the condensate drain tube needs to be cleaned on a regular basis to avoid blockages. This isn’t much different than cleaning a standard machine.
Heat pump washer-dryer combinations do not vent. This means that you can use them in your home without cutting into the wall outside for ductwork. This is great for people who live in apartments, 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 dryers due to the fact that they don’t get quite as hot. Many people were hesitant utilize them due to the fact that they don’t become as hot. However manufacturers have stepped up their technology and the LG Signature LUWM101HWA, a heat pump dryer that’s among our top dryers, comes with a typical drying time of 37 to 70 min.
It is important to avoid overdoing the detergent. This could result in excessive suds, which prolongs the cycle and leaves a slimy film on the clothes. (Readers constantly email us about this issue). Use the recommended amount high-efficiency detergents and make sure to clean the dispenser drawer frequently. This will ensure that the machine is operating as efficiently as it can and not wasting your energy and money.
4. Reduces Lint
When you’re drying your clothes, a heat pump dryer makes use of less air than vented gas or electric tumble dryers with heat pump. It’s because it doesn’t push hot humid air into your clothes, but instead extracts air at room temperature around your clothes. That vapor is then heated by your washer, which causes it to evaporate the moisture out of your laundry which makes this kind of dryer a lot more energy-efficient.
Because of this efficiency, a heat pump washer dryer isn’t as heavy as a conventional vented electric or gas dryer, but it weighs about 88 lbs. This is a huge deal if you are planning to put it on a wall or put it in a closet that doesn’t have enough space to accommodate a vent.
Lint build-up is a concern in all dryers. However, the heat pump dryer’s lower temperatures limit the amount lint that could block the exhaust, preventing the clothes from drying to their maximum potential. That also lowers the risk of a fire developing in the dryer or in its exhaust, which can occur when solvents and flammable oils from your laundry enter the vent or the dryer’s evaporator.
To reduce lint build-up, be sure to clean your dryer duct at least once a year (more often when you have pets or kids). A leaf blower or wire brush can help you clear out any lint that has accumulated between the ridges in your accordion hose. It’s safer to do this outside your home instead of inside, if you can.
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 out too much. Separate your laundry according to 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, and the sensors for moisture have greater chance of notifying you the moment your laundry is dry to stop the cycle.
5. Space Savings
They consume less energy as they recycle and reuse hot air. This could save you money on utility bills, but also on energy costs to heat or cool your home.
This method is more gentle on fabrics and reduces shrinkage which is a major benefit when dealing with expensive clothes. It also reduces the need to replace dryer vents that are clogged with lint and cuts down on the waste of energy that conventional dryers use to warm up room air before it enters the machine which helps keep your heating and cooling costs lower.
Heat pump washer-dryer combinations are designed to fit in small spaces, such as closets and kitchens. These all-in one machines only take only some inches over the top vented washers. They’re also ventless, so you can place them wherever you have water and 120-volt outlets.
These all-in-one appliances are easy to operate, too. You only need to choose the right washing cycle and drying cycle for your load, and let them work. Once your clothes are clean, simply remove them.
With these energy-efficient and versatile machines, it’s now easier than ever before to wash your clothes without costing you a fortune. You can shop online or go to an Aztec Appliance showroom to find a washer-dryer combination that will fit seamlessly into your home. We offer the best discounts, prices, rebates, and special financing to make your laundry room more affordable. We’re here to assist you in choosing the best dryer with a heat pump for you!