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 outside. Heat pump dryers do not require vents. This reduces energy consumption and reduces the risk of fire caused by lint accumulation within the ducts.
These machines also use lower temperatures, and are gentler on clothes. They may take longer to finish drying than traditional machines. Find out more about these ventless laundry appliances from Aztec Appliance.
Efficiency
You can save a significant amount of money on your electric bill by using a heat pump dryer. According to Energy Star, it uses up to 28 percent less energy than a conventional clothes dryer. It might not sound like much, but 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 United States and you'll save hundreds over the course of 12 years with a heat pump dryer.
A heat pump dryer is similar to a dehumidifier. The heat pump dryer begins with heated air that is then circulated through coils to warm it even more. In this process, the hot air pulls moisture from the clothing into the heat exchanger where it's condensed. It drips into an empty pan or tube that can be connected to drain it. The moist, cooled air is then circulated back over the coils of the condenser, to be heated.
Heat pump dryers don't require an exhaust vent. They can therefore be installed in areas where a conventional dryer wouldn't be suitable. They also are more quiet and flexible and suitable for apartment spaces and other rooms that have limited space. They are also safer than dryers with vents, which can be a fire hazard if not maintained regularly.
heat pump tumble dryer a+++ 9kg take longer to dry your laundry since they operate at lower temperatures. It is also essential to clean the heat pump dryer frequently because it functions as a dehumidifier, and produces a lot of moisture during the drying process. This is particularly important when your clothes are damp or you live in a humid area. You can accomplish this by checking and cleaning the lint screen and the condenser coils. You should also clean the drain tube periodically. Regular cleaning will keep the evaporator coil in good condition.
Condensation
The most common method of drying clothes is to use fans to blow hot air on the laundry. This air is then blown outside. This method uses a lot energy and requires venting outside space to vent the ducting. Heat pump dryers, also known as ventless drying equipment, recycle air. They heat the air that is coming in by reusing the energy required to run the machine, then condense the resulting moisture into water, which drains out the bottom of the dryer drum. They are smaller than vented models and can be installed in an attic or laundry room.
The dryers that are heat pump, although popular in Europe and Japan are relatively new to the American market. They are now available in sizes to fit in most laundry rooms and can provide significant energy savings. Because they do not exhaust indoor air outdoors they don't require you to clean your venting system or deal with any issues that might arise.
The heat pump dryers function like refrigeration systems in refrigerators with the compressor that presses a refrigerant in one set of coils to release heat. They also have an evaporator set of coils that absorb warmth from the air that passes through them. The refrigerant heated circulates in the second set of coils to condense moist air. The refrigerant that is cooled is then pumped back into the first coils, where it is reheated.
The heat pump dryers require maintenance like other dryers that use electricity to keep their efficiency at a high level. Lint can accumulate on the filters and the evaporator coils. It is important to clean these coils regularly to prevent excessive wear. And they use refrigerants with high GWP (Global Warming Potential) which means that they need to be recycled properly too.
The heat pump dryers take longer than vented dryers in drying a load. It's because the maximum temperature of heat pump dryers is lower, at about 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This means they need to tumble a little longer before they're completely dry.
Lint Screens
Heat pump dryers have venting and lint trap system that needs to be cleaned on a regular basis. A blocked vent can drastically prolong drying times and is a fire hazard. The exhaust of dryers vented can be heated to the point of igniting volatile chemicals and oils.
The vent system of a heat pump requires a dehumidifier in order to remove moisture from the air prior to it exits the dryer. Dehumidifiers can also cut down on energy costs by lowering temperature of the hot water used to heat the air.
The lint filter inside a dryer with a heat pump is much finer and must be cleaned more often than the one in the conventional dryer. The lint trap that is located in the door opening is also an ideal spot for lint to accumulate and must be cleaned and cleaned regularly.
Heat pump models include a heated drum which means that the inside of the machine must be kept clear of residue and lint from dryer or fabric softener sheets. The heated drum walls could also need to be cleaned and inspected on a regular basis, since they might require to be replaced, as per the user's manual.
Lint buildup in the dryer's exhaust hoses isn't just inconvenient--it's a serious fire hazard and causes an average of 2,900 home fires per year according to the U.S. Fire Administration. As you can see in this Today's home owner video, you can clean your dryer's lint-exhaust hose with the help of a wirebrush or leaf blower. It's safer to clean the hose from the outside, so that you can avoid getting lint in your face. If you're not sure that you can clean the ducts, hire an expert.
If you don't feel air moving through your dryer vent outside or when your dryer takes longer to dry than it normally does it could be due to an obstruction of lint deeper within the duct. Choose a day of the year to clean your vents--Labor Day, the first of spring or the beginning or the end of daylight saving time. Then stick to it.
Installation
Modern dryers that are electric are among the best conveniences for homeowners. But selecting the right dryer is an important choice for those who want to cut their utility bills and make a positive impact on the environment. The heat pump dryer is a great option for many. Heat pump dryers are different from vented dryers like traditional ones, 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, removing the moist and cooling it and allowing it to be returned to the laundry area where it can again be used.
Heat pump dryers do not require chimneys, ducting, or a chimney to vent outside. They can be installed in small rooms such as laundry closets. This makes them ideal for small homes, accessory dwelling units (such as a laundry room in the basement or an apartment above the garage) and even for additions. Heat pump dryers often perform better than traditional vented dryers because they are Energy STAR certified.
The dryers of a heat pump can be operated on standard 120-volt 15-amp circuits. This is a huge advantage for older homes with 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 complete each cycle. Because they don't move between the two like conventional dryers do, large items such as towels and sheets can turn into a laundry sausage which is difficult to unravel. Some manufacturers attempt to address this problem by reversing tumble cycles for short durations during the course of.
The dryers that use heat pumps also require more maintenance than other dryers. Lint can accumulate on heat exchanger coils and Evaporator coils, which require periodic cleaning or vacuuming to keep them running efficiently. Since heat pump dryers don't vent, they may also accumulate moisture on the inside of the dryer, leading to mold.