Energy Efficient Heat Pump Washer Dryer
Heat pump dryers are poised to become household staples with new federal incentives and awe-inspiring laboratory test results. These all-in-one devices take less time to wash and dry and are ventless, meaning they don't pull the conditioned air from your home to vent outdoors.
They also utilize lower temperatures which is gentler on clothes. Find out more about this exciting technology for washing.
1. Energy Savings
They're not just used to cool and heat homes and offices, but they're also used to dry clothes. A heat pump dryer that is ENERGY STAR certified uses less electricity than a conventional dryer, saving you money on your electric bill. They use the lower temperature to lessen wear and tear, and damage to your clothes.
Heat pump washer-dryers recycle the air used during the washing process. However it is cooled, then warmed by a condenser coil that is located inside the evaporator. The warm air is then pushed back into the drum to continue drying the clothes. This means that the heat pump dryer won't never have to exhaust the moist air as vented dryers do.
It's important to make your appliances as energy-efficient as you can, because the process of washing clothes consumes an enormous amount of energy. are heat pump tumble dryers better can be achieved by combining a washer and a heat-pump dryer. This will enable you to lock in maximum efficiency and start saving energy costs right away.
To begin to get started, take a look at our collection of the ENERGY STAR certified washers and dryers. You can filter results by model or model, energy consumption, wash cycles, or spin speed. Be sure to check the yellow Energy Guide Label to see how much each appliance will cost to run every year.
Combining washer-dryers are a ideal option for households that cannot afford two separate machines or don't have enough space to accommodate them. These units connect to a standard 120-volt outlet and don't require a venting system or special hookups for 240-volts. These units are ideal for condominiums and apartments since they can be placed in the cupboard or under counters.
2. Reduces Noise
The majority of traditional dryers employ the hot gas or electric coil to heat the air which evaporates the moisture in your laundry. The air is then vented outside of your home, taking with it the conditioned air that you're paying to cool in summer and warm in winter. Your home must perform overtime to make up for the lost condition by bringing in replacement air from cracks and gaps in your walls and around doors.
Heat pump washer dryers transfer humidity from one location to another, rather than heating it and then venting it. This is ideal for homeowners with homes that aren't big enough to handle an additional flow of air. It's also possible for people to install dryer/washer combos in spaces where they wouldn't normally be able to install a vented dryer for instance, under the stairs, without sacrificing energy efficiency and performance.
While this is an important benefit of all-in-one drying and washing machines, they do have their drawbacks. It is important to allow sufficient time for each load since all-in-one appliances take longer to complete their cycles than traditional dryers or washers. In addition the combination of two appliances together reduces the amount of laundry you can do at one time, since it takes around an hour longer for whites and colors to dry than they would in separate machines.
Thankfully, most manufacturers have started to address these issues by offering simple solutions. For example LG's top-rated washer and dryer combo comes with the ability to prop the door open slightly when it's running to prevent the water from accumulating and drying out of the drum. Many LG models, including our top pick, come with a tiny drainage hole in the bottom of the laundry tub that allows water to drain instead of accumulating. You can also purchase sound blankets that fit around the heat pump in order to minimize noise.
3. Reduces wear and tear
When a heat pump dryer is working, it doesn't warm up the air like a traditional dryer--it just removes the moisture from the clothing which means it's much more gentle on clothing than a conventional model. It also saves energy since it doesn't have to waste the energy needed to heat the air up to dry the garments.
The dryers that use heat require more maintenance than standalone machines due to the fact that the condensate drain tube needs to be cleaned frequently to prevent blockages. This is not much different than cleaning a standard machine.
The biggest difference is that heat-pump washer-dryer combos do not vent, which means you can put them in a home without cutting into the exterior wall to run ductwork. This is ideal for apartment dwellers or college students, as well as other people who don't wish to spend more money or modify their living space.
Because heat-pump systems aren't as hot, they take longer to dry clothes than conventional dryers. Many people were hesitant to use them because they didn't get as hot. However manufacturers have upgraded their technology and the LG Signature LUWM101HWA, a heat pump dryer that is on our list of best dryers, comes with a typical drying time of 37 to 70 min.
The key to reducing drying time is to avoid overdoing the amount of detergent, which could result in excessive suds that can prolong cycles and leaves a slimy residue on your clothes (readers write to us every day about this issue). Make sure you're using the recommended amount of high-efficiency detergents and wash the dispenser drawer on a regular basis. This will ensure that the machine is operating as efficiently as possible and will not waste your energy and money.
4. Reduces Lint
A heat pump dryer requires less air to dry your clothes than a vented gas dryer or an electric dryer. That's because it doesn't blow hot humid air into your clothes, but instead extracts room-temperature vapor from the air around your clothes. The vapor is heated by your washer and used to evaporate moisture from your laundry.
Due to this efficiency, a heat pump washer dryer isn't as heavy as a traditional vented electric or gas dryer, but it weighs in the vicinity of 88 lbs. That can make a difference if you're planning to put it on the wall or in a space that may not be large enough to accommodate vents.
Lint build-up is a concern in all dryers. However the heat pump dryer's low temperatures limit the amount of lint that can clog up the exhaust and stop the clothes from drying to their full potential. This reduces the possibility of a fire developing in your dryer or in its exhaust, which can happen when flammable oils and solvents from your laundry are absorbed into the dryer's vent or evaporator.
To reduce lint build-up Be sure to clean your dryer duct at least once a year (more often if you have children or pets). A wire brush or leaf blower will help you remove any lint that's built up between the ridges in your accordion hose. It's safer to do this outside your home rather than inside if 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 to prevent drying too much. Separate your laundry by kinds of fabrics and wash delicates like silk with heavy cottons or linens. This way, you won't overdye your delicates or shrink them too much. Likewise, the moisture sensors will have a better chance of detecting when your laundry is fully dry to stop the cycle.
5. Saves Space
Because heat pump dryers recycle and reuse hot air, they use less energy than vented dryers. This could help you save money on your energy bills, and also on energy costs to cool or heat your home.
This process is gentler on fabrics and lessens 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 enters the machine which helps keep your heating and cooling costs lower.
Combinations of heat pump washers and dryers are designed to fit into tiny spaces, like kitchens and closets. These all-in-one machines take up only two inches more space than front-load washers that are vented. They're also ventless, so you can place them anywhere that has water and an outlet with 120-volts.
They're also simple to use. All you need to do is select the wash and dry cycle that's best for your load and let them do the work. Once your clothes are clean take them off.
With these energy-efficient, versatile machines, it's easier than ever before to complete your laundry without costing you a fortune. Go online or visit the an exquisite Aztec Appliance showroom today to find your new washer-dryer combo that will seamlessly fit into your home. We have the best deals and promotions, rebates, and special financing for upgrading your laundry room. We're here to assist you select the right dryer with a heat pump that fits your lifestyle and needs!