What Is The Heck What Is Heat Pump Dryers?

Heat Pump Dryers Save Energy and Eliminate Potential Fire Hazards Conventional dryers heat air with gas or electric resistance, blow it over clothes that are tumbling, and then release the warm, moist air outside. Heat pump dryers do not require vents. This saves energy and eliminates potential fire hazards caused by lint accumulation in the ducts. They also use lower temperatures and are more gentle on clothing, which means they might take longer to dry than conventional machines. Find out more about these ventless laundry appliances from Aztec Appliance. Efficiency A heat pump dryer can save you a considerable amount of money each year on your electric bill. According to Energy Star, it uses up to 28 percent less energy than a conventional dryer. It might not sound like a lot however, if your family does 20 loads of laundry per week in Massachusetts, where electricity rates are some of the highest in the nation and you'll save hundreds over a 12-year lifespan with a dryer that uses a heat pump. A heat pump dryer is similar to a dehumidifier. It starts with air that's heated by a compressor, and then pushed through a second set of coils to warm it even more. The hot air pulls moisture out of the clothing and then into the heat exchanger, where it becomes a condensed liquid. It drips into a pan that can be manually empty or connected to drain tubes. The cool, moist air is then circulated over the coils of the condenser to be reheated. They don't require an exhaust vent. They are therefore able to be put in places where a conventional dryer would not fit. They also are quieter and more versatile, making them ideal for homes and other areas with limited space. They are also more secure than dryers with vents. Vents can spark fires when they are not cleaned regularly. The dryers that use heat take longer to dry your laundry due to the fact that they operate at lower temperatures. Additionally, because they work similar to a dehumidifier, and produce lots of water during the drying process it is essential to clean your dryer's heat pump regularly. This is especially important if you reside in a humid area or if your clothes have a lot of moisture trapped inside them. You can accomplish this by regularly inspecting and cleaning the lint screens as well as the condenser coils. It is also recommended to clean the drain tube regularly. Regular cleaning will keep the evaporator in good condition. Condensation The most common method of drying clothes is to use a fan to blow hot air over the laundry. This air is then vented outside. This method consumes lots of energy and requires access to a vented outdoor space for venting. Heat pump dryers, also known as ventless drying machines, recycle air. They make use of the heat to repurpose energy to run the machine and then condense it into water that drains out of the bottom of the drum. They are also smaller than vented dryers, and they can be built in a laundry room or even in an attic. Heat pump dryers, though popular in Europe and Japan are relatively new on the American market. They're now available in sizes that can fit in the majority of laundry rooms, and offer significant energy savings and other climate benefits. And because they don't exhaust indoor air to the outdoors it isn't necessary to clean out your venting system regularly or deal with the potential issues that can arise when you have a dirty venting system. Heat pump dryers are similar to the refrigeration system in a refrigerator. They have an compressor that presses refrigerant through one coil, and then releases heat. The evaporator coils absorb heat from air that flows through. The refrigerant heated circulates in another set of coils to condense moist air. The refrigerant that is cooled is then pumped back into first coils, and is heated. Heat pump dryers require maintenance, just like other electric dryers to keep their efficiency at a high level. Lint collects on the filters, as well as on the condenser and evaporator coils, and it is essential to clean them often to prevent excessive wear. They also use refrigerants that have high GWP (Global Warming Potential) and therefore, they have to be recycled properly also. The heat pump dryers take longer than vented dryers to dry a load. This is due to the fact that the maximum temperature of heat pump dryers is lower, at 120degF. This means that they'll need to tumble a little more time before they are completely dry. Lint Screens Heat pump dryers come with venting and lint trap system which need to be cleaned on a regular basis. A clogged dryer vent can delay drying time and could be the risk of fire. The exhaust from a vented dryer may be heated to the point of igniting volatile oils and chemicals. The vent system of a heat pump requires a dehumidifier in order to remove moisture from the air before it leaves the dryer. A dehumidifier also helps reduce energy costs by lowering temperature of the hot water that is used to heat the air. The lint screen in a heat pump dryer is softer than in conventional dryers, and therefore must be cleaned more frequently. The lint screen in the door's opening can collect lint. It is recommended to clean it frequently. The models with heat pumps also come with a heated drum wall, 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 may also need to be cleaned and inspected regularly, as they might require to be changed as per the user's guide. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, the buildup of lint inside the dryer's exhaust pipe isn't just an inconvenience. It's also a fire hazard that causes around 2,900 house fires each year. As explained in this Today's homeowner video, you can clean your dryer's lint-exhaust hose with either a wirebrush or a leaf blower. It's safer to do this from the outside since there is no risk of lint getting on your face. If you are not confident that you'll be able clean the ducts, hire a professional. If you can't sense air flowing through your dryer vent outside or if your dryer is taking longer to dry than usual, there could be a lint blockage deeper within the duct. Pick a day of the year to clean the venting system such as Labor Day, the beginning of spring, or at the end or the beginning of daylight savings time – and stick with it. Installation Drying your laundry in an electric dryer that is modern and efficient is one of the most important conveniences available to homeowners. But selecting the right dryer is an important choice for those who wish to lower their energy bills and have a an impact on the environment. The heat pump dryer is an excellent option for many. They differ from vented dryers that are traditional, which utilize gas combustion or electricity for heating air, and then blowing the hot, dried air into the drum to remove moisture. They reuse the air, pulling the humid air and cooling it, permitting it to be returned to the laundry room so that it can again be used. Because heat pump dryers don't require venting outside, they don't require any chimney or ducting and can be put in small spaces, such as laundry closets. They are ideal for tiny houses, accessory dwelling units (such a laundry room or apartment above the garage) or even additions. And because the Energy STAR label is a reliable indicator of energy efficiency, heat pump dryers are often more efficient than traditional vented models. Contrary to the majority of dryers for clothing, which need a dedicated circuit, most heat pump dryers are designed to operate on regular 120-volt, 15-amp electrical circuits. This can be a real benefit for older homes that have older wiring, and could save money on installation. However the fact that heat pump dryers are less powerful than other types of dryers means they take longer to finish each cycle. They also don't have the back-and-forth motion of conventional dryers, bulky items such as sheets and towels may wad up into laundry sausages that are difficult to unravel. Some manufacturers try to solve this issue by reversing tumble cycles for short durations during the cycle. In addition, heat pumps require more frequent maintenance than other dryers. Lint can build up on the heat exchanger and evaporator coils, which requires regular cleaning or a thorough vacuum to ensure they are operating at a high level. Because dryers with heat pumps don't vent, they can also collect moisture inside the dryer, which can cause mold.