Energy Efficient Heat Pump Washer Dryer

With the introduction of new federal incentives and impressive lab test results, the heat pump washer dryer is set to become a staple in the household. These all-in-one units take less time to wash and dry and are not ventless, which means they don't pull the conditioned air from your home to vent it outside.

They also have a lower temperature that is gentler on clothing. Read on to learn more about this fascinating laundry technology.

1. Energy Savings

The use of heat pumps isn't just for heating and cooling homes, but they're also being employed to dry clothes. An energy STAR certified heat pump dryer uses 28% less energy than a traditional dryer, and could save you cash on your electric bill. They run at a lower temperature, which reduces wear and tear on your clothes as well as the environment.

Heat pump washer-dryers recycle the air used in the washing process. However, it is cooled and warmed by a condenser unit located inside the evaporator. Then the warm air is pushed back into the drum to continue drying the clothes. A heat pump dryer does not require exhausting the air that is laden with moisture, like vented dryers do.

It is important to make your appliances as energy efficient as possible, as the laundry process consumes an enormous amount of energy. This can be achieved by pairing a washer with a dryer that uses a heat pump. This will help you to maximize efficiency and save on energy costs immediately.

Take a look at our selection of ENERGY SSTAR-certified dryers and washers to begin. You can sort results by model, energy consumption, wash cycles or spin speed. Be sure to check the yellow Energy Guide Label to see how much each appliance costs to run every year.

Combined washer-dryers are another ideal option for households that cannot afford two separate machines or do not have the space for them. They plug into a standard 120-volt outlet and don't require a venting system or a special hookups of 240-volts. These units are ideal for apartments and condominiums as they can be tucked away in the cupboard or under the counter.

2. Reduces Noise

Most traditional clothes dryers use heat to dry the clothes using a hot electric or gas coil. This helps evaporate the moisture from your clothes. The air then escapes out from your home, taking along the conditioned air that you pay to cool in summer and warm in winter. Your house will have to work extra hours to replace the lost conditioned heat by pulling the replacement air through gaps and cracks around doors and walls.

The heat pump washer dryers transfer humidity from one location to another, instead of heating it and Heat Pump washer Dryer then venting it. This is great for homeowners who have houses which aren't large enough to accommodate an additional flow of air. It's also possible for people to put washer and dryer combinations in areas that they would not normally be able to put venting dryers like under the stairs, without sacrificing energy efficiency and performance.

All-in-one units have a number of advantages However, they also have a few drawbacks. All-in-one units take longer to complete their cycles than traditional dryers and washers which is why it's crucial to set aside enough time for each load. Combining two appliances will also reduce the amount of laundry that you can wash in one go, as it takes an hour longer to dry whites and colors than they would be if they were separate units.

Thankfully, the majority of manufacturers are beginning to solve these issues by offering simple solutions. For instance LG's top-rated washer-dryer combination comes with a feature that lets you prop the door slightly open when it's running to prevent water from pooling and drying out the drum. Many LG models like our top pick, also have a drain hole at the bottom of the tub to let the water flow out instead of pooling in the drum. You can also purchase sound blankets that fit around your heat pump to minimize noise.

3. Reduces Wear and Tear

The heat pump dryers don't warm the air, unlike traditional dryers. They just remove the moisture from clothes. This is kinder on the fabric. This helps conserve energy since it doesn't need to burn energy heating up the air for the drying process.

That said, heat pump tumble dryers-pump dryers do require some maintenance than standalone dryers because the condensate drain tube has to be cleaned on a regular basis to prevent blockages. However, this isn't much different from cleaning a conventional dryer.

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 wall exterior to run ductwork. This is great for people who live in apartments or college students, as well as other people who don't wish to spend more money or change their living space.

These dryers dry clothes more slowly than traditional models because they don't get as hot. This has been one reason many people have been reluctant to adopt them, however manufacturers have improved their technology over time, and a heat pump dryer on our top dryer list--the LG Signature LUWM101HWA, has typical drying times of 37 to 70 minutes.

It is important to avoid overdoing the detergent. This can lead to excessive suds, which can prolong the process and leaves a slimy film on your clothes. (Readers frequently email us about this issue). Use the recommended amount high efficiency detergents, and make sure to clean the dispenser drawer frequently. This will ensure that the machine is running as efficiently as possible and will not waste your money and energy.

4. Reduces Lint

A heat pump dryer makes use of less air to dry your clothes than a vented gas dryer or electric dryer. This is because it doesn't blow hot, humid air into your laundry, but instead, it extracts vapor at room temperature from the air that surrounds your clothes. This vapor is heated by your washer and then used to remove water from your laundry.

Because of this efficiency, a heat pump washer dryer isn't as heavy as a traditional vented gas or electric dryer, but it still weighs about 88 lbs. This can be a huge issue if you intend to install it on a wall or in a closet which may not have enough space for a vent.

Lint build-up is an issue for all dryers. However, the lower temperatures of a heat pump dryer restrict the amount of lint that can block the exhaust and stop your clothes from reaching their full drying potential. This also reduces the chance of a fire in your dryer or its exhaust, which can occur when solvents and oils that are flammable from your laundry get into the dryer's vent or evaporator.

Clean your dryer ducts at minimum every month to prevent lint accumulation (more often if there are pets or children in the home). You can make use of a leaf blower, or a wire brush to remove any lint between the ridges of the accordion hose. It is safer to clean this outside rather than inside.

To prevent drying out, be sure to use a detergent that is low in suds and follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to set your water's level. Also, separate laundry by fabric types and wash delicates like silk with heavy linens or cottons. That way you won't overdye your delicates or shrink them too much, and the moisture sensors will have a better chance of being able to tell the moment your laundry is dry to end the cycle.

5. Space Saver Space

Because heat pump dryers recycle and reuse hot air, they require less energy than vented dryers. This will save you money on costs for utilities, but also on the energy cost to cool or heat your house.

This method is also more gentle on fabrics, which reduces shrinkage and wear, which is a major benefit when you're dealing with expensive clothes. It also reduces the need to replace dryer vents that are clogged with lint and reduces the waste of energy that conventional dryers expend to warm up room air before it is able to enter the dryer and helps to keep your cooling and heating costs lower.

In the end, heat pump dryer-washer combinations are designed to fit into small spaces that wouldn't permit a separate laundry room, like in kitchens or closets. These all-in-one machines just take only some inches over the top vented washers. They're ventless, which means they can be placed wherever you want to with water and a 110-volt outlet.

They're also simple to use. You just need to select the correct wash cycle and drying cycle for your load, and let them do their work. Then, you can take your clothes out when they're clean.

With these energy-efficient multi-functional machines, it's easier than ever to complete your laundry without costing you a fortune. You can shop online or go to an Aztec Appliance showroom to find a washer-dryer combination that will fit seamlessly into your home. We offer the most competitive discounts, prices, rebates and financing specials to make your laundry room more affordable. We're here to assist you choose the perfect dryer that meets your needs and lifestyle!