Energy Efficient Heat Pump Washer Dryer
The heat pump washer dryers are poised to become household staples due to new federal incentives and awe-inspiring laboratory test results. These all-in-one units take less time to wash and dry and are ventless, meaning they don't draw the conditioned air from your home to vent outside.
They also have lower temperatures that is gentler on clothing. Read on to learn more about this fascinating technology for washing.
1. Energy Savings
Heat pumps aren't just for home heating and cooling, they're now being used in clothes dryers too. A heat pump dryer that is ENERGY START-certified consumes 28% less electricity than a conventional dryer, which will save you money on your electric bill. They utilize less heat to minimize wear and tear and damage on your clothes.
Heat pump washer-dryers recycle air used in the washing process. However it is cooled, then warmed by a condenser coil located inside the evaporator. The warm air is pushed into the drum in order to continue drying 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 possible, as the laundry process consumes lots of energy. This can be achieved by pairing a washer with dryers that use heat. This will enable you to ensure maximum efficiency and start saving energy costs right away.
Check out our selection of ENERGY STAR-certified dryers and washers to start. You can filter your results by model, energy usage wash cycles, as well as spin speed. Also, be sure to check the yellow Energy Guide label to understand the amount each appliance will cost to run every year.
Combining washer-dryers is another excellent alternative for households that are unable to afford to have two separate machines or don't have the space for them. These units are plugged directly into an outlet that is 120 volts and don't require a special 240 volt venting or hookup system. These units are great for condominiums and apartments since they can be put in cabinets or under the counter.
2. Reduces Noise
Most traditional clothes dryers are heated by a hot electric or gas coil. This helps remove moisture from your clothes. The vaporized air is then blown out of your home, bringing with it the conditioned air, which you pay to cool in summer and warm in the winter. Your home has to be working overtime to compensate for the loss of conditioned air by pulling in replacement air from gaps and cracks in your walls and around doors.
Heat pump washer dryers transfer humidity from one place to another instead of venting it and heating it, which is fantastic news for homeowners living in tight houses that can't handle extra air flow. It is also possible to install washer/dryer combos in areas where a vented dryer would not be appropriate for instance, under stairs. This will not affect the efficiency or energy efficiency.
While this is an important benefit of all-in-one washing and drying machines, they aren't without their flaws. All-in-one units require longer time to complete their cycles than traditional dryers and washers, so it's important to allot plenty of time for each load. Also the combination of two appliances together reduces the amount of laundry you're able do in one go, 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 address these issues by offering simple solutions. heat-pump tumble dryer -rated washing-dryer set-up is one example. It has the option to prop the door slightly open when it is running to avoid water 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 lets water drain instead of accumulating. You can also purchase sound blankets that are fitted snugly over your heat pump to reduce its noise.
3. Reduces Wear and Tear
When a heat pump dryer is working it doesn't heat up the air like a conventional dryer. Instead, it only removes moisture from the clothes, so it's far more gentle on clothing than a traditional model. It also saves energy since it doesn't have to waste the energy that it takes to heat the air to dry the garments.
The dryers that use heat require more maintenance than standalone dryers, because the condensate drainage tube must be cleaned regularly to avoid blockages. This isn't much different from cleaning a regular machine.
The biggest difference is that heat pump washer-dryer combos do not vent, which means they can be used in your home without cutting through the exterior wall to run ductwork. This is an important benefit for apartment dwellers or students who don't wish to change their living space or spend more money for a new appliance.
Because heat-pump systems do not get as hot and take longer to dry clothes than traditional models. Many people were hesitant to use them because they didn't become as hot. However, manufacturers have improved their technology and the LG Signature LUWM101HWA, a heat pump dryer that's on our list of top dryers, has an average drying time of 37 to 70 min.
The most important thing to reduce drying time is to avoid overdoing the detergent, which can result in excessive suds that can prolong cycles and leaves a slimy residue on clothes (readers send us emails all the time 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 it can and not wasting your energy and money.
4. Reduces Lint
A heat pump dryer uses less air to dry your clothes than a vented gas dryer or an electric dryer. It's because it doesn't push hot humid air into your laundry, but instead extracts air at room temperature around your clothes. The vapor is then heated by your washer and then used to evaporate the moisture from your laundry.
A heat pump washer dryer weighs 88lbs. It's not as heavy as a vented gas dryer or an electric dryer. This is a huge issue if you intend to mount it on a wall or put it in the closet, which might not have enough space for a vent.
Lint build-up is a concern for all dryers. However the heat pump dryer's lower temperatures limit the amount of lint that could block the exhaust, preventing the clothes from drying to their maximum potential. This reduces the chance of fire threatening your dryer or in its exhaust. This could happen if the flammable solvents and oils in your laundry get into the dryer's evaporator or vent.
Clean your dryer ducts at minimum every month to prevent lint accumulation (more often if there are pets or children in the house). You can use a leaf blower or wire brush to clean any lint that has accumulated between the ridges of the hose that connects to the accordion. It's better to clean it outside than inside.
To prevent drying out, be sure to use a detergent with low suds and follow the instructions of the manufacturer on how to set the water level. Also, separate your laundry according to kinds of fabrics and wash delicates like silk with heavy linens or cottons. You won't shrink or overdye your delicates and the moisture sensor will be able detect when your laundry is dry enough to close the cycle.
5. Space Savings
Because heat pump dryers recycle and reuse hot air, they consume less energy than vented dryers. This could help you save money on costs for utilities, but also on energy costs to cool or heat your house.
This process is gentler on fabrics and helps reduce shrinkage, which is a big benefit when dealing with expensive clothing. It also eliminates the need to replace dryer vents that are clogged with lint and reduces the energy use that conventional dryers use to warm up room air before it can enter the dryer and helps to keep your cooling and heating costs down.
In the end, heat pump dryer-washer combos are designed to tuck into spaces that don't permit a separate laundry center--like in kitchens or closets. These units are compact and only take up some inches over the top vented washers. Plus, they're ventless so you can put them anywhere that has water and 120-volt outlets.
These all-in-one appliances are easy to use, too. All you have to do is choose the dry and wash cycle that's right for your load--and let them work their magic. Then, you can pull your clothes out when they're done.
With these energy-efficient and versatile machines, it's easier than ever to complete your laundry without breaking the bank. Go online or visit the a gorgeous Aztec Appliance showroom today to find the perfect washer-dryer combo that fits seamlessly into your home. We offer the best prices, promotions, rebates and financing specials to help make the process of upgrading your laundry space more affordable. And we're here to help you select the ideal dryer with a heat pump that fits your lifestyle and needs!