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Heat Pump Dryers Save Energy and Eliminate Potential Fire Hazards Conventional dryers use electric resistance or gas combustion to heat the air then blow it over the clothes. The warm, moist air is then vented to the outside. They don't require vents, which can save energy and prevents fire hazards due to lint accumulation in the vents. They also use lower temperatures and are gentler on clothing, so they may take longer to dry than conventional machines. Find out more about these ventless washing machines from Aztec Appliance. Efficiency A heat pump dryer can save you a significant amount of money every year on your electric bill. It uses up to 28% less energy than a traditional dryer according to Energy Star. It might seem like a lot, but if you do 20 loads of laundry a week in Massachusetts where electricity costs are among the highest in the United States, you will save hundreds of dollars over the course of 12 years. The way that a heat pump dryer operates is similar to that of a dehumidifier. It starts with air which is heated by a compressor, and is then passed through a different set of coils to warm it even more. During just click the following website pulls moisture from the clothing into the heat exchanger where it's condensed. It then drips into a pan which can be manually empty or connected to drain tubes. The cool, moist air is then circulated back through the condenser coils, to be then heated and the cycle starts again. They don't require an exhaust vent, and so they can be installed in areas that would not be able to be able to accommodate a conventional dryer. They are also quieter and more versatile which makes them suitable for apartment spaces and other rooms with small space. In addition, they are safer than dryers that have vents, which can be dangerous if not cleaned regularly. They take longer to dry your laundry because they operate at lower temperatures. It is also essential to clean the dryer regularly because it functions as a dehumidifier and creates a lot of moisture during the drying process. This is especially important when your clothes are damp or you reside in an area that is humid. You can check this regularly by cleaning and checking the lint filter and condenser coils. It is also recommended to clean the drain tube every now and then. Regular cleaning will keep the evaporator coil in good working order. Condensation The traditional method of drying clothes is to use the use of a fan to blow hot air over the clothes. The air is then vented outside. This method uses a lot energy and requires an outside space to vent the venting. Heat pump dryers – also referred to as ventless dryers re-use the air instead. They heat the air that is coming in by reusing a portion of the energy used to run the machine, then condense the resultant moisture into water, which drains out the bottom of the drum. They're also smaller than vented dryers, and they can be fitted into a laundry room or even an attic. 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. Since they don't exhaust the indoor air outdoors it is not necessary to clean your venting system or deal with any potential problems. They are similar to the refrigeration system of refrigerators. They are equipped with an air compressor that pressurizes refrigerant into a set of coils, which releases heat. The evaporator coils soak up heat from air that flows through. The heated refrigerant flows through another set of coils to condense the moist air, and that cool refrigerant flows back into the original coils, and is reheated to repeat the cycle. They require maintenance just like other electric dryers to maintain their peak performance. Lint builds up on the filters, as well as on the condenser and evaporator coils, and it's important 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 too. The heat pump dryers take longer than vented dryers in drying a load. This is because their maximum temperature, which is around 120degF—is lower than that of electric and gas resistance dryers, which means they have to tumble for an additional time before they're dry. Lint Screens The dryers of a heat pump come with venting and lint trap system that needs to be regularly cleaned. A blocked vent can drastically extend drying times, and poses a fire risk. A vented dryer's exhaust can reach temperatures that are sufficient to ignite volatile oils and chemical on clothes. A heat pump venting system requires an air dehumidifier to eliminate moisture prior to the air leaves the dryer. A dehumidifier also helps you save energy by lowering the temperature at which hot water is heated to warm the air. The lint filter in a dryer with a heat pump is much finer and needs to be cleaned more often than the one in the conventional dryer. The lint screen inside the door opening can also build up lint. It is recommended to clean it regularly. Models with heat pumps come with a heated drum, which means the inside of the machine must be kept free of lint and residues from dryer or fabric softener sheets. The heated drum walls might also require cleaning and inspected regularly, as they might require to be replaced, according to the user's manual. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, the accumulation of lint in 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 home owner video cleaning your dryer's lint-exhaust hose with either a wirebrush or a leaf blower. It's better to clean the hose from the outside, as you can avoid getting lint in your face. If you're not sure that you'll be able clean the ducts, hire an expert. If you are unable to feel the air moving through your dryer vent, or if your dryer takes longer to dry, it could mean that there is a lint obstruction within the duct. Pick a day of the year to clean the venting system such as Labor Day, the beginning of spring, or the end or beginning of daylight savings time – and stick with it. Installation Drying laundry with a modern electric dryer is among the most significant features available to 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. For many, heat pump dryers are the best alternative. Unlike traditional vented dryers that utilize gas or electricity to heat air and then blow the hot, dry air into the drum to remove moisture in the air, heat pump dryers reuse the same air over and over and pull the moist air from the clothes and cooling it, allowing it return to the laundry area, where it can be used again. Since heat pump dryers don't have to vent outside, they don't require any ducting or chimney and can be installed in small rooms like laundry closets. This makes them perfect for tiny homes as well as accessory dwelling units (such as a laundry room in the basement or an apartment above the garage) or even additions. The majority of heat pump dryers perform better than traditional vented models since they are Energy STAR certified. The dryers of a heat pump can be run 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 aren't as powerful than other types of dryers, means they take longer to finish each cycle. Because they don't go between the two like conventional dryers do, heavy items like sheets and towels can turn into a laundry sausage which is difficult to unwind. Some manufacturers attempt to resolve this issue by reversing the tumble cycle for brief intervals of time during a cycle. In addition, heat pumps require more frequent maintenance than other dryers. Lint can build up on the heat exchanger coils as well as the evaporator coils, requiring periodic cleaning or vacuuming to ensure they are running at a high efficiency. And since heat pump dryers do not vent, they could also accumulate moisture on the inside of the dryer, leading to mold.