Energy Efficient Heat Pump Washer Dryer

Heat pump dryers are poised to become household staples due to new federal incentives and awe-inspiring laboratory test results. These all-in-one machines take less time to wash and dry and are also ventless, which means they don't draw conditioned air out of your home to vent outside.

They also utilize a lower temperature that is gentler on clothes. Read on to learn more about this fascinating technology for laundry.

1. Saves Energy

Heat pumps aren't only used for cooling and heating homes however, they're also used to dry clothes. A heat pump dryer that is ENERGY START-certified consumes 28% less electricity than a conventional dryer, saving you money on your electric bill. They utilize less heat to minimize wear and tear and damage on your clothes.

During the drying process heat pump washer-dryers utilize the same air that is recycled by the washing machine, but it is passed through a condenser coil in the evaporator unit to heat up and cool the air. The warm air is returned to the drum to continue drying the clothes. This means that the heat pump dryer won't never have to exhaust the moisture-laden air as vented dryers do.

Since the process of washing clothes consumes large amounts of energy It's worthwhile to make your existing appliances as efficient as they can be. The best method to accomplish this is by pairing an efficient washer with a heat pump dryer. This will help you to maximize efficiency and save on energy costs as soon as you can.

Explore our selection of ENERGY SSTAR-certified washers and dryers to begin. You can filter 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.

Combining washer-dryers is another great alternative for households that are unable to afford two separate units or don't have the space for them. These units connect to a standard 120-volt outlet and do not require a venting system or a special hookups for 240-volts. These units are perfect for condominiums and apartments since they can be placed in cabinets or under counters.

2. Reduces Noise

Most traditional dryers for clothes use heat to dry the clothes using an 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 you pay for to cool in summer and warm in winter. Your home will need to work overtime to replenish the lost heat by pulling replacement air through cracks and gaps around doors and walls.

Heat pump washer dryers move humidity from one place to another instead of venting it and heating it, which is good news for homeowners with tight homes that aren't able to handle the extra airflow. It what is tumble dryer heat pump also possible to install washer/dryer combinations in places that vented dryers might not be suitable, such as under stairs. This won't affect the energy efficiency or performance.

While this is an important benefit of all-in-one washing and drying machines, they do have their drawbacks. It's crucial to give yourself enough time for each load since all-in-one machines require more time to finish their cycles than traditional washers/dryers. Additionally the combination of two appliances into one reduces the amount of laundry you're able do at once, as it takes approximately an hour longer for colors and whites to dry than they would in separate machines.

Thankfully, most manufacturers are beginning to solve these issues by offering simple solutions. For instance LG's top-rated washer and dryer combo has an option that lets you prop the door slightly open while it's running to prevent the water from accumulating and drying out of the drum. Many LG models such as our top pick, come with a small drain hole at the bottom of the laundry tub to let the water escape instead of pooling in the drum. You can also purchase sound blankets that fit snugly around your heating system to minimize the noise.

3. Reduces wear and tear

Heat pump dryers don't heat the air, unlike traditional dryers. They just remove moisture from clothing. This is much gentler on clothing. This also saves energy because it doesn't waste the energy needed to heat the air up for the drying process.

However, they do require some maintenance than standalone machines because the condensate drain tube has to be cleaned on a regular basis to avoid blockages. This is not a lot different from cleaning a conventional machine.

The biggest difference is that heat pump washer-dryer combos don't vent, meaning you can put them in your home without cutting into the wall outside to run ductwork. This is great for those who live in apartments, college students, and other people who don't wish to spend more money or modify their living space.

Since they aren't as hot, they take longer to dry clothes than conventional models. This is one reason why many people have been reluctant to adopt them, however manufacturers have made improvements to the technology over time, and are heat pump Tumble dryers any good a heat pump dryer on our top dryer list--the LG Signature LUWM101HWA, has typical dry times of 37 to 70 minutes.

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 problem). 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 running as efficiently as it can saving you energy and money.

4. Reduces Lint

When you're drying your clothes, a heat pump dryer makes use of less air than vented gas or electric dryers. This is because it doesn't blast hot humid air into your clothes, but instead draws room-temperature vapor from the air around your clothes. The steam is then heated by your washer to evaporate the moisture out of your clothes and make this kind of dryer much more energy-efficient.

Because of this efficiency it is true that a heat-pump washer dryer isn't as heavy as a conventional vented electric or gas dryer, but it weighs in the vicinity of 88 lbs. This can be a big difference if you intend to put it on the wall or in a closet that may not be big enough to accommodate vents.

Lint build-up is a concern for all dryers. However, best heat pump tumble dryer the heat pump dryer's reduced temperatures limit the amount of lint that could block the exhaust, preventing the clothes from drying to their maximum potential. That also lowers the risk of a fire threatening your dryer or its exhaust, which can happen when solvents and flammable oils from your laundry enter the vent or the dryer's 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 can help you get rid of any lint build-up between the ridges of the accordion hose, and it's safer to do this outside your home rather than inside if possible.

To avoid drying out, make sure to use a detergent that is low in 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. This way, you won't overdye your delicates or shrink them too much. The sensors for moisture will have greater chance of notifying you the moment your laundry is dry and ready to be disposed of.

5. Space Savings

Since heat pump dryers recycle and reuse hot air, they use less energy than vented dryers. This can help you save money on utility bills, but also on the energy cost to cool or heat your house.

This method is more gentle on fabrics and helps reduce shrinkage which is a major benefit when dealing with expensive clothing. It also eliminates the need to clean lint-clogged vents, and reduces the energy wasted by conventional dryers to warm the air in the room prior to entering the machine. This helps to keep your heating costs down.

The heat pump washer-dryer combos are designed to tuck into tiny spaces that would not have an additional laundry area, such as in kitchens or closets. These units are just two inches more space than vented front-load washers. Additionally, they're ventless, which means they can be placed anywhere with water and an outlet with 120-volts.

These appliances are simple to operate, too. All you need to do is select the dry and wash cycle that's right for your load and let them do the work. When your clothes are ready you can simply take them off.

These energy-efficient, multi-functional machines allow you to wash your clothes without breaking the bank. You can shop online or visit an Aztec Appliance showroom to find the right combination of washer and dryer that is a perfect fit for your home. We offer the most competitive rates, discounts, rebates, and special financing to help make the process of upgrading your laundry room more affordable. And we're here to help you choose the perfect heat pump dryer for your lifestyle and needs!