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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 warm, humid air is then vented to the outside. Heat pump dryers do not require vents. This reduces energy consumption and prevents fire hazards caused by lint accumulation in the vents. They also use lower temperatures and are gentler on clothes, so they may take longer to dry than conventional machines. Find out more about these ventless laundry appliances from Aztec Appliance. Efficiency You can save lots of money on your electric bill by using the heat pump dryer. According to Energy Star, it uses up to 28 percent less energy than a conventional dryer. This may not sound like a lot but when your family is doing 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 by using a heat pump dryer. The way a heat pump dryer works is similar to the way it works the dehumidifier. Washers And Dryers starts with air which is heated by a compressor, and then pushed through a second set of coils to warm it even more. During this process, the hot air pulls moisture out of the clothing and then into the heat exchanger, where it transforms into condensed. It drips into an empty pan or tube that can be connected to drain it. The cool, moist air then circulates back over the condenser coils until it is heated again and the cycle starts again. They don't need an exhaust vent. They are therefore able to be put in areas where a conventional dryer would not fit. They are also more quiet and flexible and ideal for apartments or other areas that have a limited space. They are also more secure than dryers with vents. Vents can ignite when they are not cleaned regularly. However, since they operate at lower temperatures than conventional dryers, it will take longer for your laundry to dry with a heat pump dryer. It is also essential to clean the dryer regularly because it works like a dehumidifier, and produces lots 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 do this regularly by checking and cleaning the lint screen as well as the condenser coils. You should also clean out the drain tube occasionally. The evaporator coil is susceptible to bacteria and mold However, regular cleaning is required to keep it in good working order. Condensation The most common method of drying clothes is using a fan to blow hot air on the clothes. The air is then blown outside. This method uses a lot of energy and requires an outdoor space that is vented for venting. Heat pump dryers—also known as ventless dryers re-use the air instead. They make use of the heat to repurpose energy to run the machine. They then condense it into water that drains out of the bottom of the drum. They are also smaller than vented dryers, and can be incorporated into a laundry room or even an attic. The dryers with heat pumps, while popular in Europe and Japan are relatively new to the American market. They're now available in sizes that would fit in most laundry rooms, and provide significant energy savings as well as other benefits to the climate. Because they don't draw the indoor air to the outside, you don't have to clean your venting system often or deal with the potential problems that can occur when you have a dirty venting system. They are similar to the refrigeration system of a refrigerator. They have an air compressor that pressurizes refrigerant into a set of coils, which releases heat. The evaporator coils absorb heat from air that flows through. The refrigerant that is heated circulates through a second set of coils to condense the humid air. The chilled refrigerant is then recirculated back into the first coils, and is reheated to continue the process. As with other electric dryers like other dryers, a heat pump still needs maintenance to keep its energy efficiency at its peak. Lint can accumulate on the filters and evaporator coils. It is crucial to clean these frequently to avoid excessive wear. They also use refrigerants that have high GWP or Global Warming Potential. They need to be recycled. Heat pump dryers are slower than vented dryers in drying a load. This is because the maximum temperature of heat pump dryers is lower, at about 120degF. This means they will need to tumble a little bit longer before they are completely dry. Lint Screens Heat pump dryers are equipped with a lint filter and venting system that need to be cleaned on a regular basis. A blocked vent can drastically prolong drying times and poses a fire risk. The exhaust from dryers vented can reach temperatures that can ignite volatile chemicals and oils. A heat pump venting system requires a dehumidifier to eliminate moisture before air leaves the dryer. A dehumidifier can also reduce energy costs by lowering the temperature of the hot water that is used to heat the air. The lint filter of a dryer with a heat pump is much finer and requires cleaning more often than the one in traditional dryers. The lint trap inside the door opening is also an ideal place for lint accumulation, and it should be checked and removed regularly. The models that have heat pump also come with a heated drum wall which means that the inside of the dryer has to be kept free of lint fabric softener, dryer sheet residue. The heated drum walls also require periodic cleaning and inspection, as they might need to be replaced as specified in the user's manual. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, the accumulation of lint in the dryer's exhaust pipe is more than an inconvenience. It's also an ignition source that can cause 2900 house fires per year. Clean your dryer's lint-exhaust hose once a year using wire brushes, or employ a leaf blower from the outside to remove lint from the inside of the hose, as this How-to video will explain. This is safer to do from the outside as you won't get lint on your face. If you're not confident in your ability to clean the duct, you can hire a professional to do it for you. If you cannot sense air movement in your dryer vent, or if your dryer takes longer to dry, it could mean that there is a lint obstruction within the vent. Pick a day of the year to clean the vent system such as Labor Day, the beginning of spring, or at the end or the beginning of daylight savings time – and stick with it. Installation Modern electric dryers are among the best conveniences for homeowners. But selecting the right dryer is an important choice for those who wish to lower their utility bills and make a positive impact on the environment. For many these reasons, heat pump dryers are a great alternative. They are different from vented dryers that are traditional, which use electricity or gas combustion to heat air, then blowing the hot dried air into the drum in order to remove moisture. They reuse the air, pulling the moist and cooling it and allowing it to be returned to the laundry area where it can again be used. Because heat pump dryers do not require venting outside they don't require chimneys or ducting, and can be put in small spaces, such as laundry closets. This makes them ideal for small homes, accessory dwelling units (such as laundry rooms in the basement or an apartment over the garage) or even additions. And because the energy STAR label is a reliable indicator of energy efficiency, heat pump dryers are often more efficient than traditional vented models. Unlike most other types of clothes dryers, which need a dedicated circuit, most heat pump dryers are designed to run on the standard 120-volt, 15 amp electrical circuits. This is an advantage for older homes that have older wiring, and could save you money on installation. Heat pump dryers have a lower power compared to other dryers, which means they take longer to complete a cycle. Because they don't feature the back-andforth motion that is typical of dryers, bulky items like towels and sheets may wad up into a laundry sausage that is difficult to remove. Some manufacturers attempt to resolve this issue by changing the tumble cycle for short periods of time during a cycle. In addition, heat pump dryers need more regular maintenance than other dryers. Lint can accumulate on the heat exchanger and evaporator coils, requiring regular vacuuming or professional cleaning to ensure that they function effectively. Since dryers with heat pumps don't vent, they can also accumulate moisture on the inside of the dryer, which can cause mold.