5 Qualities People Are Looking For In Every Heat Pump Washer Dryer
Energy Efficient Heat Pump Washer Dryer
The heat pump washer dryers are set to become household staples thanks to new federal incentives and impressive laboratory test results. These all-in-one units are quicker to dry and wash, and are ventless, meaning they don't pull conditioned air out of your home to vent it outside.
The clothes are also treated with the use of a lower temperature. Read on to learn more about this fascinating technology for laundry.
1. Saves Energy
They're not just used to cool and heat homes and offices, but they're also employed to dry clothes. A energy STAR certified heat pump dryer consumes 28% less energy than a conventional dryer, and could save you money on electric bills. heat pump tumble dryers use less heat to minimize wear and tear and damage to your clothes.
During the drying cycle, heat pump dryers use the same air recycled by the washing machine, but it goes through a condenser coil within the evaporator unit to heat up and cool the air. Then the warm air is then pushed back into the drum to continue drying the clothes. This means that the heat pump dryer won't never have to exhaust the moisture-laden air as vented dryers do.
It's worth making your appliances as energy-efficient as you can, because laundry processes consume lots of energy. The best way to do this is to combine an efficient washer with a dryer that uses a heat pump. This will to maximize efficiency and start saving on energy costs immediately.
To get started take a look at our selection of energy STAR certified washers and dryers. You can filter the results by model, energy usage washing cycles, wash cycles, and spin speed. Be sure to read the yellow Energy Guide label to understand the amount each appliance will cost to run every year.
Combining washer-dryers is another ideal option for households that can't afford to have two separate units or don't have the space for them. They plug into a standard 120-volt outlet and do not require a venting system or a special 240-volt hookup. These units are great for apartments and condominiums as they can be placed in cabinets or under counters.
2. Reduces Noise
The majority of traditional clothes dryers are heated by a hot electric or gas coil. This allows you to evaporate the moisture from your clothes. The air is then vented outside your home, taking with it the conditioned air that you pay to cool in the summer and warm in winter. Your home will have to work extra hours to replace the lost conditioned heat by pulling the replacement air through gaps and cracks around doors and walls.
Heat pump washer dryers transfer humidity from one place to another, instead of heating the air and venting it. This is great for homeowners with homes that are too small to handle an additional flow of air. It is also possible to put washer and dryer combinations in areas that they would not normally be able to install a vented dryer, such as under stairs without sacrificing energy efficiency or performance.
While this is a major benefit of all-in-one drying and washing machines, they have their disadvantages. All-in-one units require longer time to complete their cycles than traditional washers and dryers and therefore it is important to allocate enough time for each load. In addition the combination of two appliances together reduces the amount of laundry you're able do at one time, since it takes about an hour longer for colors and whites to dry than in separate machines.
Thankfully, the majority of manufacturers have begun to solve these issues by offering simple solutions. For example LG's top-rated washer and dryer combo has an option that lets you prop the door open a bit while it's running to prevent water from pooling and drying out of the drum. A lot of LG models, such as our top pick, feature a small drainage hole at the bottom of the laundry tub that lets water drain instead of accumulating. You can also purchase sound blankets that are fitted around the heating system to minimize the noise.
3. Reduces Wear and Tear
When a heat pump dryer works, it doesn't warm up the air like a traditional dryer--it just removes the moisture from the clothes, so it's far more gentle on clothing than a regular model. It also saves energy since it doesn't waste the energy that it takes to heat up the air to dry the clothes.
They require more maintenance than standalone machines since the condensate drainage tube needs to be cleaned frequently to avoid blockages. However, this isn't much different from cleaning a conventional dryer.
Combinations of heat pump washer and dryer do not vent. This means you can use them in your home without having to cut into the exterior wall for ductwork. This is ideal for those who live in apartments or college students, as well as others who don't want to spend more money or alter their living space.
Heat-pump systems dry clothes slower than traditional dryers because they don't get quite as hot. Many people were hesitant to use them due to the fact that they didn't become as hot. However manufacturers have upgraded their technology and the LG Signature LUWM101HWA, a heat pump dryer that is on our list of best dryers, has typical drying times of 37 to 70 minutes.
The key to reducing 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 send us emails 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 runs as efficiently as it can which will save your energy and money.
4. Reduces Lint
A heat pump dryer uses less air to dry your clothes than a vented gas dryer or electric dryer. It's because it doesn't push hot, humid air into your laundry, but instead extracts air at room temperature around your clothes. The vapor is heated by your washer and used to evaporate water from your laundry.
A heat pump washer dryer weighs 88 lbs. This isn't as heavy as vented gas dryers or electric dryer. This can be a big deal if you are planning to put it on a wall or put it in a closet which may not have enough space to accommodate a vent.
Lint build-up can be a problem for all dryers. However, the lower temperatures of a heat pump dryer restrict the amount of lint that can block the exhaust and prevent your clothes from reaching their maximum drying potential. This reduces the chance of fire threatening your dryer, or its exhaust. This could happen if the flammable solvents and oils in your laundry enter the dryer's vent or evaporator.
Clean your dryer's ducts at least every month to avoid lint accumulation (more often if there are pets or children in the house). You can make use of a leaf blower or wire brush to remove any lint in between the ridges of the accordion hose. It's better to clean it outside than inside.
Use a detergent that is low in sudsing and follow the directions of the manufacturer on how to set your water level so that you avoid overdrying. Also, separate laundry by fabric types and wash delicates such as silk using heavy linens or cottons. You won't overdye or shrink your delicates and the moisture sensor will be able detect when your laundry is dry enough to stop the cycle.
5. Space Savings
Since heat pump dryers reuse and reuse hot air, they consume less energy than vented dryers. This can help you save money on energy bills, and also on the energy cost to cool or heat your house.
This process is also gentler on fabrics, and reduces shrinkage and wear--a important benefit when dealing with expensive clothing. It also eliminates the need to replace dryer vents that are clogged with lint and reduces the energy use that conventional dryers use to warm air before it is able to enter the dryer which helps keep your heating and cooling costs down.
Finally, heat pump washer-dryer combinations are designed to fit into small spaces that wouldn't permit a separate laundry center--like in closets or kitchens. These all-in one machines just take only the space of a few inches more than the best vented washers. They are ventless, so you can put them wherever you want to with water and a 110-volt outlet.
These appliances are simple to use, too. All you have to do is select the wash cycle and dry cycle that's best for your load and let them do the work. When your clothes are ready you can simply take them off.
With these energy-efficient, versatile machines, it's now easier than ever before to do your laundry without spending a dime. Shop online or visit a stunning Aztec Appliance showroom today to find your new washer-dryer combo that will seamlessly fit into your home. We have the best deals, promotions, rebates and financing options for enhancing your laundry space. We're here to assist you select the right dryer with a heat pump that fits your requirements and lifestyle!