This Week's Top Stories Concerning 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 to the outside. Heat pump dryers do not require vents. This helps save energy and prevents fire hazards caused by the accumulation of lint in the vents. They also have lower temperatures and are more gentle on clothing, so they can take longer to dry than conventional machines. Aztec Appliance has more information about these ventless washers. 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. It may not sound like a lot however, in the case of a family that does 20 loads of laundry per week in Massachusetts where electricity costs are among the highest in the nation You'll save hundreds of dollars over the course of a 12 year lifespan with a heat pump dryer. The way a heat-pump dryer works is similar to dehumidifiers. The heat pump dryer starts with heated air that is then sent through coils to heat it up further. In this process, the hot air draws moisture from the clothing and into the heat exchanger, where it becomes condensed. It drips into a pan that can be manually empty or connected to a drain tube. The cooled, moist air is then circulated back through the coils of the condenser to be reheated. They don't need an exhaust vent. They can therefore be installed in areas where a conventional dryer would not be able to fit. They are also more silent and versatile and suitable for apartments and other areas that have a little space. They are also safer than dryers that have vents. Vents can cause fires when they are not cleaned regularly. However, because they operate at lower temperatures than conventional dryers, it takes longer for your laundry to dry with a heat pump dryer. Furthermore, since they function much like a dehumidifier and generate plenty of water during the drying process, it's important to clean your heat pump dryer frequently. This is particularly important when you live in a humid environment or if your clothes are soaked with lots of moisture within them. You can do this regularly by cleaning and checking the lint filter and condenser coils. Also, you should clean the drain tube periodically. Regular cleaning will keep the evaporator coil in good working order. Condensation The traditional way to dry clothes involves a fan blowing hot air over the laundry that is tumbling and then venting the warm, moist air outside. This method uses lots of energy and requires access to an outdoor space that is vented for the venting. Heat pump dryers, also known as ventless drying machines recycle the air. They heat the incoming air by reusing some of the energy used to power the machine. They then condense the resulting moisture into water that drains from the bottom of the dryer drum. They are also smaller than vented dryers and they can be fitted into a laundry room or even an attic. The dryers that are heat pump, although popular in Europe and Japan are relatively new on the American market. These dryers are now available in sizes to fit in most laundry rooms and can provide significant energy savings. Because they don't draw indoor air to the outdoors it isn't necessary to clean out your venting system regularly or deal with potential problems that can occur when you have a dirty venting system. They function as refrigeration systems in refrigerators with a compressor that pressurizes a refrigerant in one set of coils to release heat, and a set of evaporator coils that absorb heat from the air passing through them. heat pump tumble dryers that is heated circulates through the second set of coils to condense humid air. The cooled refrigerant is then pumped back into the first coils, and is reheated. They require maintenance, just like other electric dryers to maintain their peak performance. Lint accumulates on the filters, as well as on the condenser and evaporator coils, and it is essential to clean them often to avoid excessive wear. They also use refrigerants that have a high GWP, or Global Warming Potential. They must be recycled. Another issue to be considered is the fact that heat pump dryers generally take longer than vented ones to finish a load. This is because their maximum temperature, which is around 120degF—is lower than that of gas and electric resistance dryers, so they have to tumble for an additional time before they're completely dry. Lint Screens Heat pump dryers have an air lint filter and venting system that must be cleaned on a regular basis. A blocked vent can drastically extend drying times, and can pose a fire hazard. The exhaust of a vented dryer can reach temperatures high enough to ignite volatile oils and chemical on clothes. The vent system in a heat pump requires a dehumidifier to remove moisture from the air prior to it leaves the dryer. A dehumidifier also helps reduce energy costs by lowering the temperature of the hot water that is used to heat the air. The lint filter of a heat-pump dryer is finer and requires cleaning more frequently than those in traditional dryers. The lint screen in the door opening can also collect lint. It should be cleaned frequently. Heat pump models also have a heated drum wall which means that the inside of the dryer has to be free of lint, fabric softener and dryer sheet residue. The heated drum walls also require regular cleaning and inspections, since they could require to be replaced, as indicated in the user's manual. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, lint buildup inside the dryer's exhaust pipe is more than an inconvenience. It's also an ignition source that can cause 2900 house fires per year. Clean your dryer's lint-exhaust pipe every year with a wire brush, or employ an air blower from the outside to eliminate lint from inside of the hose, as this Today's Homeowner how-to video will explain. It's safer to do this from the outside, since you will avoid getting lint in your face. If you're not confident in your ability to clean the duct, you can hire an expert to handle it for you. If you don't feel air moving through the vent of your dryer outside, or the dryer is taking longer to dry than usual it could be due to an obstruction from lint within the vent. Choose one day a year to clean the vent system such as Labor Day, the beginning of spring, or the closing or the beginning of daylight saving time – and stick with it. Installation Drying laundry with an electric dryer that is modern and efficient is one of the most significant conveniences for homeowners. However, choosing the right dryer is essential for those looking to cut down on their energy bills and have a positive impact on the environment. The heat pump dryer is an excellent choice for a variety of. Heat pump dryers are different from traditional vented dryers that use electricity or gas combustion for heating air, and then blowing the hot dried air into the drum to eliminate moisture. They reuse the air, pulling the moisture out and cooling it before permitting it to return to the laundry area where it can be used again. They do not require ducting, chimneys or chimneys to vent outside. They can be installed in small rooms such as laundry closets. They are perfect for small houses, accessory dwelling units (such a laundry room or an apartment above the garage) or even additions. They are often better than traditional vented models because they are ENERGY STAR certified. Heat pump dryers can be run on standard 120-volt 15-amp circuits. This is a huge advantage for older homes with older wiring and can save money on installation. However, the fact that heat pump dryers are less powerful than other dryers means they are slower to complete the cycle. Because they don't go back and forth like conventional dryers do, heavy items such as towels and sheets can turn into a laundry sausage which is difficult to unwind. Some manufacturers attempt to address this issue by reversing tumble cycles for short periods during the cycle. In addition, heat pump dryers need more regular maintenance than other dryers. Lint can build up on the heat exchanger coils and evaporator coils, requiring periodic vacuuming or professional cleaning to ensure they are running at a high efficiency. The dryers that use heat pumps do not vent, which means they could collect moisture within the dryer. This can cause mold.