20 Myths About Heat Pump Dryers: Debunked
Heat Pump Dryers Save Energy and Eliminate Potential Fire Hazards
Conventional dryers heat air with gas or electric resistance and then blow it through clothes that are tumbling, and then release the warm, humid air outside. mouse click the next webpage don't require vents, which save energy and prevents fire hazards from lint build-up in the vents.
These machines also have lower temperatures and are more gentle on clothes. They can take longer to dry than traditional machines. Aztec Appliance provides more details about these ventless washing machines.
Efficiency
You can save a significant amount of money on your electricity bill by using the heat pump dryer. According to Energy Star, it uses up to 28 percent less energy than a conventional dryer. That may not sound like a lot however, when your family is doing 20 loads of laundry a week in Massachusetts where electricity costs are among the highest in the United States, you'll save hundreds over the course of 12 years with a heat pump dryer.
The way that a heat pump dryer works is similar to the way it works a dehumidifier. It starts with air which is heated by a compressor and then sent through another set of coils to warm it even more. The hot air draws moisture from the clothing and then into the heat exchanger, where it becomes condensed liquid. It drips out into an empty pan or a tube that can be connected to drain it. The cooled, moist air is then circulated over the coils of a condenser to be reheated.
Heat pump dryers don't require an exhaust vent. They are therefore able to be put in places where a conventional dryer wouldn't be suitable. They also are quieter and more versatile and suitable for apartments and other spaces with little space. They are also more secure than dryers with vents. Vents can cause fires when they aren't cleaned regularly.
They take longer to dry your laundry because they operate at lower temperatures. It's also important to clean the dryer regularly since it functions as a dehumidifier, and produces plenty of moisture during the drying process. This is particularly important if your clothes are damp or you reside in an area that is humid. You can keep track of this by cleaning and inspecting the lint filter and condenser coils. You should also clean the drain tube regularly. The evaporator coil can be susceptible to mold and bacteria, but regular cleaning should keep it in good shape.
Condensation
The traditional method of drying clothes is using a fan to blow hot air on the laundry. This air is then vented to the outside. This method consumes a lot of energy and requires venting outside space to vent the ducting. Heat pump dryers--also known as ventless dryers--recycle that air instead. They heat the incoming air by reusing the energy that goes to run the machine, then condense the moisture that results into water, which drains out the bottom of the drum. They are also smaller than vented models and can be put in the attic or laundry room.
Heat pump dryers, though popular in Europe and Japan are relatively new on the American market. They're now available in sizes that would fit in most laundry rooms and offer significant energy savings and other benefits to the climate. Because they don't draw indoor air to the outdoors, you don't have to clean out your venting system regularly or deal with the possible issues that could arise with a dirty one.
Heat pump dryers are similar to the refrigeration system in refrigerators. They have a compressor which pressurizes refrigerant through one set of coils, which releases heat. The evaporator coils soak up heat from air that flows through. The heated refrigerant circulates in the second set of coils to condense moist air. The refrigerant that is cooled is then pumped back into the first coils, and 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 crucial to clean these frequently to prevent excessive wear. They also use refrigerants that have high GWP (Global Warming Potential), so those need to be properly recycled too.
They take longer than vented dryers in drying a load. This is because their maximum temperature, which is around 120degF, is lower than gas and electric resistance dryers, so they have to tumble for some time before they're completely dry.
Lint Screens
Heat pump dryers come with venting and lint trap system which need to be regularly cleaned. A blocked vent can drastically prolong drying times and can pose a fire hazard. The exhaust of a vented dryer can reach temperatures that are sufficient to ignite volatile oils and chemical on clothing.
A heat pump vent system requires a dehumidifier to eliminate moisture before air exits the dryer. A dehumidifier also helps you save energy by lowering the temperature at which the hot water is heated to heat the air.
The lint screen of a heat pump dryer is finer than the conventional dryers, and therefore must be cleaned more often. The lint trap in the door's opening is an ideal spot for lint to accumulate and should be checked and removed regularly.
The models with heat pumps also have an insulated drum wall which means that the inside of the dryer must be free of lint fabric softener, dryer sheet residue. The heated drum walls also require regular cleaning and inspections, since they may need to be replaced, as stated in the user's manual.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, lint buildup inside the dryer's exhaust pipe is more than just an inconvenience. It's also a fire hazard that causes 2,900 housefires on average each year. As you can see in this Today's home owner video cleaning your dryer's lint-exhaust hose with a wirebrush or a leaf blower. It's safer to do it from the outside since you won't be able to see lint on your face. If you're not sure of your ability to clean the duct, you can hire a professional to do it for you.
If you don't sense air flowing through your dryer vent outside or the dryer is taking longer to dry than normal it could be due to an obstruction of lint deeper in the duct. Choose one day a year to clean the venting system that is Labor Day, the beginning of spring, or at the end or the beginning of daylight saving time - and stick with it.
Installation
Modern electric dryers are one of the most useful features for homeowners. But selecting the right dryer is an important choice for those looking to reduce their utility bills and make a positive impact on the environment. For many these reasons, heat pump dryers are an ideal choice. In contrast to traditional vented dryers which utilize gas or electricity to heat air, and then blow hot, dry air into the drum to remove moisture and re-use the same air over and over, pulling the moist air away from the clothes and cooling it, allowing it return to the laundry room where it can be used again.
Since heat pump dryers don't require venting outside they don't require chimneys or ducting, and can be installed in small spaces like laundry closets. They are ideal for tiny houses, additional dwelling units (such a laundry room or apartment above the garage), and even additions. They are often 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 can be a real benefit for older homes that have older wiring, and could save money on installation.
The dryers that use heat pump have lower power compared to other dryers, which means they take longer to complete the cycle. And because they don't have the back-and-forth movement of conventional dryers, bulky items like towels and sheets may wad up into a laundry sausage that's difficult to remove. Some manufacturers attempt to solve this issue by changing the tumble cycle for brief intervals of time during the course of a cycle.
Additionally, heat pump dryers require more frequent maintenance than other dryers. Lint can build up on the heat exchanger coils as well as the evaporator coils, and require regular vacuuming or professional cleaning to ensure that they run efficiently. The dryers that use heat pumps do not vent, so they can collect moisture inside the dryer. This can lead to mold.