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Heat Pump Dryers Save Energy and Eliminate Potential Fire Hazards Conventional dryers heat the air using gas or electric resistance, blow it over clothes that are tumbling, and then release the warm, humid air outside. Heat pump dryers do not require vents. This saves energy and reduces the risk of fire caused by lint accumulation in the ducts. They also have lower temperatures and are more gentle on clothing, which means they may take longer to dry than traditional machines. Aztec Appliance provides more details about these ventless washers. Efficiency You can save a significant amount of money on your electricity bill by using a heat pump dryer. According to Energy Star, it uses up to 28 percent less energy than a conventional dryer. That might not sound like a lot but when your family is doing 20 loads of laundry each week in Massachusetts where electricity costs are among the highest in the country and 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 further. The hot air draws moisture from the clothing and then into the heat exchanger where it is condensed. It drips into an empty pan or tube that can be connected to drain it. The cool, moist air then circulates through the condenser coils, to be then heated and the cycle starts again. They don't require an exhaust vent. They can be used in areas where a conventional dryer wouldn't be suitable. They also are more quiet and flexible, making them ideal for homes and other areas that have limited space. They are also more secure than dryers that have vents. Vents can cause fires when they aren't cleaned regularly. They take longer to dry your laundry because they operate at lower temperatures. Furthermore, since they function much like a dehumidifier and generate a lot of water during drying It is important to clean your heat pump dryer frequently. This is particularly important in the case of damp clothes or you reside in an area that is humid. You can do this by regularly checking and cleaning the lint screens as well as the condenser coils. It is also recommended to clean the drain tube regularly. The evaporator coil can be susceptible to bacteria and mold But regular cleaning is necessary to keep it in good condition. Condensation The traditional method of drying clothes involves a fan blowing hot air over the tumbling laundry and then venting the warm, moist air outside. This method requires a lot of energy and requires venting outside space to vent the ducting. Heat pump dryers, also referred to as ventless drying machines, recycle air. They heat the incoming air by reusing a portion of the energy required to run the machine, then condense the resultant moisture into water that drains out the bottom of the drum. They are smaller than vented models, and can be placed in the attic or laundry room. While they're widely used in Europe and Japan the heat pump dryers are new to the American market. These dryers are now available in sizes to accommodate the majority of laundry rooms in homes and provide significant energy savings. Because they do not exhaust the indoor air outdoors it is not necessary to clean your venting system or deal with any potential problems. The heat pump dryers are similar to the refrigeration system in refrigerators. They feature an air compressor that pressurizes refrigerant into one set of coils, releasing heat. The evaporator coils absorb warmth from air passing through. Learn Additional Here heated refrigerant circulates in the second set of coils to condense moist air. The refrigerant that has been cooled is then pumped back into the first coils, where it's reheated. The heat pump dryers require maintenance just as other dryers with electric motors to keep their efficiency at a high level. Lint can accumulate on the filters and evaporator coils. It is crucial to clean these regularly to prevent excessive wear. They also utilize refrigerants with an extremely high GWP, also known as Global Warming Potential. These need to be recycled. Another drawback to consider is the fact that heat pump dryers usually take longer than vented dryers to finish a load. This is because their maximum temperature, which is around 120degF, is lower than gas and electric resistance dryers. Therefore, they have to tumble for an additional time before they're dry. Lint Screens Heat pump dryers come with venting and lint trap system that needs to be regularly cleaned. A blocked dryer vent could delay drying time and could be the risk of fire. The exhaust from a vented dryer may reach temperatures that ignite chemical and volatile oils. A heat pump vent system needs an air dehumidifier to remove moisture before the air exits the dryer. A dehumidifier will also help you save energy by reducing the temperature at which hot water is heated to warm the air. The lint filter of a dryer with a heat pump is much finer and requires cleaning more frequently than the one in the conventional dryer. The lint trap inside the door opening is also an ideal place for lint accumulation and must be inspected and cleaned frequently. Heat pump models also come with heated drum walls which means that the interior of the dryer has to be kept free of lint, fabric softener and dryer sheet residue. The heated drum walls require periodic cleaning and inspections, since they could require to be replaced, as stated in the user's manual. Lint buildup in the dryer's exhaust hoses isn't only a nuisance, it's also a major fire hazard and causes an average of 2900 house fires every year, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. As you can see in this Today's homeowner video, you can clean the exhaust hose of your dryer with the help of a wirebrush or leaf blower. It's safer to do this from the outside, so that you can avoid getting lint on your face. If you are not confident that you'll be able to clean the ducts, call an expert. If you don't feel air moving in your dryer vent, or if your dryer is taking longer to dry, it could mean that there is a lint obstruction inside the vent. Choose a day of the year to clean your vent system—Labor Day, the beginning of spring or the beginning or end of daylight saving time. Stick to it. Installation Modern dryers that are electric are among the most convenient options for homeowners. But picking the right dryer is essential for those who want to lower their utility bills and also have a positive effect on the environment. For many these reasons, heat pump dryers are the best option. Unlike traditional vented dryers that make use of gas or electricity to heat air and blow hot, dry air into the drum to remove moisture in the air, heat pump dryers reuse the same air repeatedly by pulling the moist air away from the clothes and cooling it down, allowing it to return to the laundry room where it can be used again. Since heat pump dryers do not require venting outside and don't require ducting or chimney and can be placed in small rooms like laundry closets. They're ideal for tiny homes, accessory dwelling units (such a laundry room or apartment above the garage), and even additions. The majority of heat pump dryers perform better than traditional vented models since they are energy STAR certified. Contrary to the majority of dryers for clothes that require a dedicated circuit, most heat pump dryers are made to operate on regular 120-volt, 15-amp electrical circuits. This can be an advantage for older homes that have older wiring, and could save you money on installation. However the fact that heat pump dryers are less powerful than other dryers means they take longer to complete the cycle. They also don't have the back-andforth motion that is typical of dryers, large objects such as sheets and towels could end up in laundry sausages that are hard to unwind. Some manufacturers attempt to resolve this issue by reversing tumble cycles for short periods during the course of. In addition, heat pumps need more regular maintenance than other dryers. Lint can accumulate on heat exchanger coils as well as the evaporator coils, requiring periodic vacuuming or professional cleaning to ensure that they run efficiently. And since heat pump dryers don't vent, they may also accumulate moisture on the inside of the dryer, leading to mold.