Heat Pump Dryers Save Energy and Eliminate Potential Fire Hazards
Conventional dryers make use of electric resistance or gas combustion to heat the air then blow it over the clothes. The warm, moist air is then vented to the outside. The dryers that use heat pumps don't need vents, which help save energy and eliminate potential fire hazards from lint build-up in the ducts.
These machines also use lower temperatures and are gentler on clothing. They can take longer to finish drying than traditional machines. Aztec Appliance has more information regarding these ventless washing machines.
Efficiency
You can save lots of money on your electricity bill by using a heat pump dryer. According to Energy Star, it uses up to 28 percent less energy than a conventional dryer. It may not seem like much but if you wash 20 loads of laundry a week in Massachusetts where electricity rates are among the highest in the nation, you will save hundreds of dollars over the course of a 12 year lifespan.
A heat pump dryer is similar to a dehumidifier. The heat pump dryer begins with heated air, which is then sent through coils to warm it further. During this process the hot air draws moisture from the clothing into the heat exchanger where it's condensed. It then drips into a empty pan or tube that can be connected to drain it. The moist, cooled air is then circulated back through the coils of the condenser to be heated.
Heat pump dryers don't require an exhaust vent. They can therefore be installed in places where a traditional dryer would not be able to fit. They are also more silent and versatile and ideal for apartments or other areas that have a small space. They are also more secure than dryers that have vents. Vents can ignite if they are not cleaned regularly.
However, since they operate at lower temperatures than conventional dryers, it will take longer for your laundry to dry using a heat pump dryer. It is also essential to clean the heat pump dryer frequently since it functions as a dehumidifier and creates a lot of moisture during drying. This is especially true if your clothes are damp or you reside in an area that is humid. You can keep track of this by cleaning and checking the lint screen and the condenser coils. You should also keep the drain tube clean. Regular cleaning will keep the evaporator coil in good working order.
Condensation
The traditional method of drying clothes involves a fan blowing hot air over the laundry that is tumbling, then venting that warm, moist air to the outside. This method uses a lot energy and requires venting outside space to vent the ducting. Heat pump dryers, also referred to as ventless drying machines recycle the air. They make use of the heat to repurpose energy used to run the machine. They then condense it into water that drains from the bottom of the drum. They are also smaller than vented models and can be placed in an attic or laundry room.
The dryers that are heat pump, although popular in Europe and Japan are relatively new on the American market. heat pump tumble dryers in sizes that would fit into most home laundry rooms, and provide significant energy savings as well as other benefits to the climate. Since they don't draw outdoor air, you won't need to clean your venting system or address any issues that might arise.
Heat pump dryers work like refrigeration systems in refrigerators using an air compressor that presses a refrigerant in one set of coils to release heat. They also have an evaporator set of coils which absorb heat from air passing through them. The heated refrigerant circulates through a second set of coils to condense the humid air. The chilled refrigerant is then recirculated back into the first set of coils and is reheated to continue the process.
Heat pump dryers require maintenance just as other dryers with electric motors to keep their efficiency at a high level. Lint accumulates on the filters, and on the condenser and evaporator coils, and it is essential to clean them often to avoid excessive wear. They also utilize refrigerants with an extremely high GWP, also known as Global Warming Potential. These need to be recycled.
The heat pump dryers take longer than vented dryers in drying loads. This is due to the fact that the maximum temperature of heat pump dryers is lower at around 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This means they will need to tumble a more time before they are completely dry.
Lint Screens
The dryers of heat pumps have an air lint filter and venting system that need to be maintained regularly. A clogged vent can significantly prolong drying times and poses a fire risk. The exhaust of a vented dryer can reach temperatures high enough to spark volatile chemicals and oils on clothes.
A heat pump's vent system requires a dehumidifier to remove moisture from the air before it leaves the dryer. A dehumidifier also helps you save energy by reducing the temperature at which hot water is heated to heat the air.
The lint screen in the heat pump dryer is softer than the conventional dryers, which is why it requires cleaning more often. The lint trap inside the door's opening is an ideal spot for lint to build up and should be inspected and cleaned frequently.
The models with a heat pump have a heated drum, which means the inside of the machine has to be kept clear of lint and residues from fabric softener or dryer sheets. The heated drum walls may be required to be cleaned and inspected periodically, as they might require to be changed, as indicated by the user's manual.
Lint buildup in the dryer's exhaust hose isn't only a nuisance, it's also a major fire hazard and causes an average of 2900 house fires each year, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. As explained in this Today's home owner video cleaning the exhaust hose of your dryer with a wirebrush or a leaf blower. It's safer to do it from the outside as you won't be able to see lint on your face. If you're not sure that you'll be able clean the ducts, call an expert.
If you are unable to feel air moving in your dryer vent, or if you notice that your dryer takes longer to dry, it could mean that there is a lint obstruction deeper in the vent. Pick one day each 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
Modern dryers that are electric are among the most useful features for homeowners. But choosing the best dryer is crucial for those who want to cut down on their energy bills and also have a positive effect on our environment. For many these reasons, heat pump dryers are an ideal alternative. Unlike traditional vented dryers that make use of gas or electricity to heat air and blow hot, dry air into the drum to remove moisture in the air, heat pump dryers reuse the same air repeatedly, pulling the moist air out of the clothes and cooling it down, allowing it to return to the laundry room where it can be used again.
Since they don't have to vent outside and don't require chimneys or ducting, and can be installed in small rooms like laundry closets. They are ideal for tiny houses, accessory dwelling units (such a laundry room or apartment above the garage) or even additions. They are often better than traditional vented dryers because they are Energy STAR certified.
Heat pump dryers can operated on standard 120-volt 15-amp circuits. This is a benefit 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 a cycle. Because they don't go around like conventional dryers do, large items such as towels and sheets could become a laundry sludge which is difficult to unravel. Some manufacturers try to solve this problem by reversing tumble cycles for brief periods during the cycle.
In addition, heat pumps require more frequent maintenance than other dryers. Lint can build up on the heat exchanger and evaporator coils, which requires professional cleaning or periodic vacuuming to ensure that they function effectively. And since dryers that use heat pumps don't vent, they may also accumulate moisture on the inside of the dryer, causing mold.