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 household staple. These all-in-one units are quicker to wash and dry and are ventless, meaning they don’t draw conditioned air out of your home to vent outdoors.
They also have the lower temperature, which is gentler on clothing. Continue reading to find out more about this revolutionary technology for washing.
1. Energy Savings
The use of heat pumps isn’t just for heating and cooling homes and offices, but they’re also employed to dry clothes. A dryer with a heat pump that is ENERGY STAR certified uses 28% less electricity than a conventional dryer, saving you money on your electric bill. They utilize the lower temperature to lessen wear and tear and damage on your clothes.
Heat pump washer-dryers recycle the air used during the washing cycle. However it is cooled, then warmed by a condenser coil located within the evaporator. The warm air is pushed into the drum to continue drying clothes. A heat pump dryer does not need to exhaust moisture-laden air, as vented dryers do.
It is important to make your appliances as energy efficient as you can, since the process of washing clothes consumes a lot of energy. The best way to do this is by pairing an efficient washer with a high-efficiency heat pump dryer. This will help you ensure maximum efficiency and begin saving on energy costs as soon as you can.
Check out our selection of ENERGY SSTAR-certified washers and dryers to get started. You can filter your results based on model, energy consumption wash cycles, as well as spin speed. Be sure to check the yellow Energy Guide Label to see the cost of each appliance to run each year.
Combined washer-dryers are another ideal option for households that cannot afford two separate machines or do not have the space for them. These units plug into a standard 120-volt outlet and do not require a venting device or heat pump washer dryer special hookups for 240-volts. These units are perfect for condominiums and apartments as they can be tucked away in the cupboard or under the counter.
2. Reduces Noise
The majority of traditional dryers for clothes heat the air by using gas or electric coil. This allows you to evaporate the moisture from your clothes. 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 to replace the conditioned heat by pulling the replacement air through cracks and gaps between walls and doors.
The heat pump washer dryers move humidity from one place to another, rather than venting it and heating it, which is good news for homeowners living in tight homes that aren’t able to handle the extra airflow. It is also possible to put in washer/dryer combos in areas that vented dryers might not be appropriate for instance, under stairs. This won’t affect the efficiency or energy efficiency.
All-in-one appliances have many advantages However, they also have a few drawbacks. It is important to allow sufficient time for each load because all-in-one appliances take longer to finish their cycles than traditional washers/dryers. Additionally, combining two appliances in one can reduce the amount of laundry you can do at one time, since it takes about an hour longer for colors and whites to dry than they would in separate machines.
Thankfully, most manufacturers have begun to tackle these issues with simple solutions. LG’s top-rated washing-dryer combination is one example. It has the option to prop the door slightly open while it’s running to prevent water from pooling and drying the drum. A lot of LG models, including our top pick, feature a tiny drainage hole at the bottom of the laundry tub that allows water to drain rather than pooling. Additionally, you can purchase compressor sound blanket wraps that are fitted snugly over your heat pump to reduce its noise.
3. Reduces Wear and Tear
When a heat pump dryer functions, it doesn’t warm up the air like a conventional dryer. Instead, it just removes the moisture from the garments which means it’s much gentler on fabrics than a traditional model. It also conserves energy because it doesn’t waste the energy that it takes to heat the air up to dry the clothes.
They require more maintenance than standalone dryers, because the condensate drainage tube must be cleaned regularly to prevent blockages. However, this isn’t much different than cleaning a regular dryer.
The main difference is that heat pump washer-dryer combos don’t vent, meaning you can use them in a home without cutting through the wall exterior to run ductwork. This is ideal for people who live in apartments or college students, as well as 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 because they don’t get as hot. This has been one reason many people have been hesitant to accept them, but manufacturers have improved their technology over time, and 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 detergent, which can cause excessive suds that prolongs cycles and leaves an oily residue on clothing (readers write us all the time about this issue). Use the recommended amount high efficiency detergents, and clean the dispenser drawer regularly. This will ensure that the machine is operating as efficiently as it can and will not waste your money and energy.
4. Reduces Lint
A heat pump dryer requires less air to dry your clothes than a vented gas dryer or electric dryer. It’s because it doesn’t push hot, humid air into your clothes, but instead extracts 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 that a heat pump washer dryer isn’t as heavy as a traditional vented gas or Heat Pump Washer Dryer electric dryer, but it still weighs around 88 pounds. That can make a difference if you plan to place it on a wall or in a closet that might not be big enough to accommodate a vent.
Lint buildup is a problem for all dryers. However, the heat pump dryer’s reduced temperatures limit the amount lint that can clog up the exhaust and prevent the clothes from drying to their full potential. This reduces the chance of fire threatening the dryer, or in its exhaust. This can happen when flammable solvents and oils from your laundry get into the vent or dryer’s evaporator.
To reduce lint build-up Make sure you clean your dryer drain at least once per year (more often when you have pets or kids). You can make use of a leaf blower, or a wire brush to get rid of any lint in between the ridges of the accordion hose. It’s better to clean this outside than inside.
To prevent drying out, be sure to use a detergent with low suds and follow the manufacturer’s directions on how to set the water level. Separate your laundry by different types of fabric and wash delicates such as silk using heavy linens or cottons. So you don’t overdye your delicates or shrink them too much. Likewise, the sensors for moisture have better chances of detecting the moment your laundry is dry and ready to be disposed of.
5. Saves Space
They consume less energy as they recycle and reuse hot aer. This can save you money on costs for utilities, but also on energy costs to heat or cool your house.
This process is also gentler on fabrics, so it reduces shrinkage and wear, which is a major benefit when you’re dealing with expensive clothes. It also means that you don’t have to replace lint-clogged dryer vents and reduces the energy consumption that conventional dryers use to warm up room air before it enters the machine and helps to keep your cooling and heating costs down.
In the end, heat pump dryer-washer dryer heat pump combinations are designed to fit into small spaces that wouldn’t have an additional laundry area, such as in kitchens or closets. These all-in one machines only take just some inches over the top vented washers. They’re ventless, which means you can put them wherever you want to with water and a 110-volt outlet.
They’re also simple to use. All you have to do is select the dry and wash cycle that’s right for your needs and let them work their magic. When your clothes are dry you can simply take them off.
With these energy efficient and versatile machines, it’s easier than ever before to do your laundry without spending a dime. Go online or visit the a stunning Aztec Appliance showroom today to find the perfect washer-dryer combo that fits seamlessly into your home. We have the best prices, promotions, rebates and special financing to make your laundry space more affordable. We’re here to assist you select the right dryer with a heat pump that fits your lifestyle and needs!