It's The Ugly Truth About Heat Pump Dryers

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 moist, warm air is then vented outside. The dryers that use heat pumps don't need vents, which help save energy and eliminate potential fire hazards due to lint accumulation in the vents.

They also operate at lower temperatures and are more gentle on clothing, so they might take longer to dry than traditional machines. Aztec Appliance has more information regarding these ventless washing machines.

Efficiency

You can save a significant amount of money on your electricity bill by using the heat pump dryer. According to Energy Star, it uses up to 28 percent less energy than a conventional clothes dryer. That may not sound like a lot but in the case of a family that does 20 loads of laundry a week in Massachusetts where electricity costs are among the highest in the nation, you'll save hundreds over the course of 12 years with a dryer that uses a heat pump.

A heat pump dryer is similar to a dehumidifier. The heat pump dryer starts with heated air that is then sent through coils to heat it even more. The heated air draws moisture from the clothing and then into the heat exchanger, where it's condensed. It then drips into a pan which can be manually empty or connected to a drain tube. The cooled, moist air then circulates through the condenser coils until it is re-heated and the cycle begins again.

They don't require an exhaust vent. They are therefore able to be put in places where a traditional dryer would not be able to fit. They are also more quiet and flexible and are ideal for apartments or other spaces that have small space. They are also safer than dryers with vents. Vents can cause fires if they are not cleaned regularly.

The dryers that use heat take longer to dry your laundry since they operate at lower temperatures. It is also essential to clean the heat pump dryer frequently since it functions as an air dehumidifier and can produce plenty of moisture during the drying process. This is especially important when you reside in an area that is humid or if your clothes are soaked with a lot of moisture trapped within them. You can do this regularly by cleaning and inspecting the lint screen as well as the condenser coils. It is also recommended to clean the drain tube periodically. The evaporator coil is also susceptible to bacteria and mold, but regular cleaning should keep it in good shape.

Condensation

The traditional way to dry clothes is by using an air conditioner blowing hot air over the laundry that is tumbling, then venting that warm, humid air out. This method requires a lot of energy and requires a vented outside space to vent the venting. Heat pump dryers--also known as ventless dryers re-use the air instead. They make use of the heat to repurpose energy to power the machine, and then condense it into water that drains out of the bottom of the drum. They are also smaller than vented models and can be placed in the attic or laundry room.

Although they are popular in Europe and Japan The heat pump dryers are new to the American market. They're now available in sizes that can fit in most laundry rooms, and they offer significant energy savings and other benefits to the climate. Because they don't draw indoor air to the outdoors, you don't have to clean out your venting system periodically or deal with potential problems that can occur with a dirty one.

Heat pump dryers work like refrigeration systems in refrigerators with a compressor that pressurizes a refrigerant in one set of coils to release heat pump tumble, and tumble dryers heat pump vs condenser a set of evaporator coils that absorb warmth from the air passing through them. The refrigerant that is heated circulates through a second set coils to condense moist air. The refrigerant that is cooled is then pumped back into the first coils, where it's reheated.

They require maintenance, just like other dryers that use electricity to keep their efficiency at a high level. Lint can build up on filters and the evaporator coils. It is crucial to clean these frequently to avoid excessive wear. They also employ refrigerants that have a high GWP, or Global Warming Potential. They need to be recycled.

Another disadvantage to be aware of is the fact that heat pump dryers usually take longer than vented ones to complete a job. This is because their maximum temperature, which is around 120degF--is lower than that of gas and electric resistance dryers. Therefore, they're required to tumble for an additional time before they're dry.

Lint Screens

The dryers of a heat pump come with venting and lint trap system that needs to be regularly cleaned. A blocked vent can drastically lengthen drying times, and is a fire hazard. A vented dryer's exhaust can reach temperatures that are high enough to spark volatile chemicals and oils on clothing.