20 Things Only The Most Devoted Heat Pump Washer Dryer Fans Should Know

Energy Efficient Heat Pump Washer Dryer

With new federal incentives and impressive lab test results the heat pump washer dryer is poised to become a household staple. These all-in-one machines require less time to dry and wash and are not ventless, which means they don't pull conditioned air out of your home to vent outdoors.

The clothes are also treated at a lower temperature. 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 and offices, but they're also employed to dry clothes. A heat pump dryer that is ENERGY START-certified consumes less electricity than a conventional dryer, which will save you money on your electric bill. They use a lower temperature to reduce wear and tear and damage on your clothes.

During the drying process, heat pump washer-dryers use the same air recycled by the washing machine, but it goes through a condenser coil in the evaporator unit to warm up and cool the air. The warm air is pushed back into the drum to continue drying the clothes. This means that a heat pump dryer will not have to exhaust the moisture-laden air as vented dryers do.

It's important to make your appliances as energy efficient as you can, because the laundry process consumes an enormous amount of energy. The most efficient way to do this is to combine an efficient washer with a dryer that uses a heat pump. This will allow you to lock in maximum efficiency, and start saving energy costs right away.

To begin to get started, take a look at our collection of ENERGY STAR certified washers and dryers. You can filter your results by model, energy consumption washing cycles, wash cycles, and spin speed. Be sure to check the yellow Energy Guide Label to see the cost of each appliance to run every year.

Combined washer-dryers are another great option for households that cannot afford two separate machines or don't have the space for them. They are plugged directly into an outlet that is 120 volts and don't require a separate 240-volt venting or hookup system. They're great for condos and apartments, because they can be tucked away in a closet or underneath the counter.

2. Reduces Noise

Most traditional clothes dryers use the hot gas or electric coil to warm the air that evaporates the moisture from your laundry. The vaporized air is then blown out of your home, bringing with it the conditioned air, which you pay to cool in the summer and warm in winter. Your home will need to work overtime in order to replenish the lost heat by pulling the replacement air through cracks and gaps between walls and doors.

The heat pump washer dryers move humidity from one location to another, rather than heating and venting it, which is fantastic news for homeowners living in tight homes that can't accommodate more airflow. It is also possible to install washer/dryer combinations in places where a vented dryer would not be appropriate, such as under stairs. This will not affect the efficiency or energy efficiency.

While this is an important benefit of all-in one drying and washing machines, they do have their drawbacks. It is important to allow sufficient time for each load as all-in-one appliances take longer to complete their cycles than traditional dryers or washers. Also the combination of two appliances in one can reduce the amount of laundry you're able do in one go, since it takes approximately an hour longer for colors and whites to dry than they would in separate machines.

Thankfully, many manufacturers have begun to address these issues by offering simple solutions. For example, LG's top-rated washer-dryer combo comes with an option that lets you prop the door open slightly when it's running to prevent the water from accumulating and drying out the drum. Many LG models, such as our top pick, come with a tiny drainage hole at the bottom of the laundry tub that lets water drain instead of pooling. You can also purchase sound blankets that fit around your heat pump in order to block out the sound.

3. Reduces wear and tear

When a heat pump dryer is working it doesn't heat the air like a traditional dryer--it only removes moisture from the garments, so it's far more gentle on clothing than a conventional model. It also saves energy since it doesn't have to waste the energy that it takes to heat the air up to dry the clothes.

But, they do require a bit more maintenance than standalone machines because the condensate drain tube has to be cleaned regularly to avoid blockages. This is not much different from cleaning a conventional machine.

Heat pump washer-dryer combinations do not vent. This means you can use them in your home without having to cut into the exterior wall to install ductwork. This is a huge benefit for people who live in apartments as well as students and other who don't want to alter their living spaces or spend extra money on the purchase of a new appliance.

Because heat-pump systems don't get as hot and take longer to dry clothes than conventional dryers. This has been one reason that many people have been reluctant to accept them, but manufacturers have made improvements to the technology over time. A heat-pump dryer on our top dryer list -- the LG Signature LUWM101HWA, has typical drying times of 37 to 70 minutes.

The most important thing to reduce drying time is to not overdo the amount of detergent, which could result in excessive suds that can prolong cycles and leaves a slimy residue on your clothes (readers write to us frequently about this problem). Make sure you use the recommended amount of high efficiency detergents, and make sure to clean the dispenser drawer frequently. This will ensure that the machine is running as efficiently as possible which will save 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. pop over here 's because it doesn't push hot humid air into your clothes, but instead draws air at room temperature around your clothes. This vapor is then heated by your washer to remove the moisture from your laundry, making this type of dryer a lot more energy-efficient.

Due to this efficiency that a heat pump washer dryer isn't as heavy as a conventional vented gas or electric dryer, but it weighs about 88 lbs. This is a huge deal if you plan to mount it on the wall or put it in the closet, which might not have enough space to accommodate a vent.

Lint build-up can be an issue for all dryers. However, the reduced temperatures in a heat pump dryer limit how much it can clog the exhaust, preventing your clothes from reaching their maximum drying capacity. This also reduces the possibility of fire in your dryer, or its exhaust. This can occur when flammable solvents and oils from your laundry get into the dryer's evaporator or vent.

To prevent the build-up of lint, be sure to clean your dryer duct at least once a year (more often if you have children or pets). You can make use of a leaf blower, or a wire brush to clean any lint between the ridges of the hose that connects to the accordion. It is safer to clean this outside than inside.

Use a detergent that is low in sudsing and follow the guidelines of the manufacturer on how to set up your water level so that you avoid drying out too much. Separate your laundry according to kind of fabric and wash delicates such as silk with heavy cottons as well as linens. This way, you won't overdye your delicates or shrink them too much. Likewise, the moisture sensors will have a better chance of notifying you when your laundry is fully dry and ready to be disposed of.

5. Saves Space

Because heat pump dryers recycle and reuse hot air, they consume less energy than vented dryers. This will help you save money on energy bills, and also on energy costs to heat or cool your house.

This method is also more gentle on fabrics, which reduces shrinkage and wear--a major benefit when dealing with expensive clothing. It also eliminates the need to clean out dryer vents that have become clogged with lint and reduces the energy consumption that conventional dryers expend to warm the air in the room before it enters the machine, helping to keep your heating and cooling costs lower.

The combination of heat pump washer and dryer is designed to fit in small areas, like kitchens and closets. These all-in one machines just take up the space of a few inches greater than the most efficient vented washers. They are ventless, so they can be placed wherever you want to with the power of 110-volts and water.

They are also simple to use. All you need to do is select the dry and wash cycle that's best for your load and let them do their job. When your clothes are dry, simply remove them.

With these energy-efficient multi-functional machines, it's easier than ever to wash your clothes without costing you a fortune. Shop online or visit an exquisite Aztec Appliance showroom today to find the ideal washer-dryer combination that is a perfect fit for your home. We have the best discounts, prices, rebates and financing specials to help make the process of upgrading your laundry space more affordable. We're here to help you choose the best heat pump dryer for you!

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Pub: 16 Mar 2024 19:40 UTC
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