The Hidden Secrets Of Heat Pump Washer Dryer

Energy Efficient Heat Pump Washer Dryer Heat pump washer dryers are poised to become household staples due to new federal incentives and awe-inspiring laboratory test results. 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 outside. They also utilize a lower temperature that is gentler on clothes. Read on to find out more about this exciting technology for washing. 1. Saves Energy The use of heat pumps isn't limited to cooling and heating homes They're now being used in dryers for clothes as well. A ENERGY STAR certified heat pump dryer consumes 28% less energy than a traditional dryer and can save you cash on your electric bill. They utilize a lower temperature to reduce wear and tear and damage on your clothes. During the drying process, heat pump dryers use the same air that's recycled by the washing machine, but it is passed through a condenser unit in the evaporator unit to heat up and cool the air. The warm air is moved into the drum in order to continue drying clothes. A heat pump dryer does not need to exhaust the air that is laden with moisture, like vented dryers do. It's worth making your appliances as energy efficient as possible, as the process of washing clothes consumes lots of energy. This can be accomplished by combining a washer and dryers that use heat. This will enable you to maximize efficiency and start saving money on energy immediately. Take a look at our selection of ENERGY SSTAR-certified washers and dryers to get started. You can filter the results by model, energy consumption wash cycles, as well as spin speed. Also, make sure to read the yellow Energy Guide label to understand how much each appliance will cost to run every year. Combining washer-dryers are a excellent option for households that can't afford two separate machines or don't have the space for them. They connect to a standard 120-volt outlet and do not require a venting device or special hookups for 240-volts. These units are great for apartments and condominiums as they can be put in a cupboard or under counters. 2. Reduces Noise Most traditional clothes dryers use heat to dry the clothes using a hot electric or gas coil. This helps evaporate the moisture from your clothes. The vaporized air is then blown out of your home, bringing with it your conditioned air, which you pay to keep cool in the summer and warm in winter. Your home will have to work extra hours to replace the conditioned heat by pulling the replacement air through cracks and gaps around walls and doors. Heat pump washer dryers transfer humidity from one place to another instead of venting it and heating it, which is great news for homeowners with tight homes that can't accommodate more air flow. It is also possible to put in washer/dryer combos in areas that vented dryers might not be suitable like under the stairs. This will not affect the efficiency of the energy or performance. While this is a major benefit of all-in-one washing and drying machines, they do have their disadvantages. It's important to allow enough time for each load since all-in-one machines take longer to finish their cycles than traditional dryers or washers. Combining two appliances can reduce the amount of laundry you can wash in one load since it takes longer to dry whites and colors than when they were separate machines. Thankfully, many manufacturers have started to tackle these issues with simple solutions. For instance, LG's top-rated washer-dryer combo comes with an option that lets you prop the door open a bit while the machine is running to stop water from pooling and drying out of the drum. A lot of LG models, including our top pick, feature an insignificant drainage hole in the bottom laundry tub that lets water drain rather than pooling. You can also buy sound blankets that fit around the heat pump in order to minimize the sound. 3. Reduces wear and tear When a heat pump dryer is working it doesn't heat up the air like a traditional dryer—it only extracts the moisture from the garments and is therefore much gentler on fabrics than a regular model. This also saves energy because it doesn't need to use the energy required to heat up the air to dry the clothes. However, they do require some maintenance than standalone machines because the condensate drain tube has to be cleaned regularly to prevent blockages. But, this isn't too different from cleaning a conventional dryer. The biggest difference is that heat-pump washer-dryer combos do not vent, which means you can use them in a home without cutting through the wall exterior to run ductwork. This is an important benefit for apartment dwellers, students, and others who don't want to alter their living space or pay additional money for an expensive new appliance. Since heat-pump dryers don't get as hot, they take longer to dry clothes than conventional dryers. This has been one reason many people have been hesitant to adopt them, however manufacturers have improved their technology over time, and a heat pump dryer on our top dryer list — the LG Signature LUWM101HWA has typical dry times of 37 to 70 minutes. It is essential to avoid overdoing the detergent. This can result in excessive suds, which prolongs the cycle and leaves a slimy layer on the clothing. (Readers often email us about this issue). Make sure you use the recommended amount of high efficiency detergents, and make sure to clean the dispenser drawer frequently. This will ensure that your machine runs as efficiently as possible, saving your energy and money. 4. Reduces Lint When drying your clothes using a heat pump dryer, it uses less air than vented electric or vented gas dryers. This is due to the fact that it doesn't blast hot, humid air into your laundry, but instead extracts vapor at room temperature from the air that surrounds your clothes. The vapor is heated by your washer, and then used to remove the moisture from your laundry. A heat pump washer weighs 88 pounds. It's not as heavy as a vented gas dryer or an electric dryer. This is a huge deal if you are planning to mount it on the wall or use it inside a closet that doesn't have enough space to accommodate a vent. Lint buildup is a problem for all dryers. However, the heat pump dryer's reduced temperatures limit the amount lint that could block the exhaust, preventing the clothes from drying to their maximum potential. That also lowers the risk of a fire developing in the dryer or in its exhaust, which can happen when solvents and flammable oils from your laundry get into the vent or into the dryer's evaporator. Clean your dryer's ducts at least every month to prevent 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 clean any lint between the ridges of the accordion hose. It's safer to clean this outside than inside. To prevent drying out, be sure to use a low-suds detergent and follow the manufacturer's directions on how to set the water level. Separate your laundry into kind of fabric and wash delicates like silk using heavy cottons and linens. This way, you won't overdye your delicates or shrink them too much. Likewise, the sensors for moisture will have a better chance of notifying you when your laundry is fully dry to stop the cycle. 5. Saves Space Because heat pump dryers recycle and reuse hot air, they consume less energy than vented dryers. This means they can help you save money in many ways, not just by saving on utility bills but also by cutting down on the amount of energy required to warm or cool your home. This process is gentler on fabrics and helps reduce shrinkage, which is a big benefit when dealing with expensive clothing. It also eliminates the need for lint-clogged vents, and reduces the energy used by conventional dryers to heat the room air before entering the machine. This helps to reduce your heating bills. Heat pump washer-dryer combinations are designed to fit into small areas, like closets and kitchens. These all-in-one machines just take up some inches more than the best vented washers. They're also ventless, so you can place them wherever you have water and 120-volt outlets. what is it worth are simple to use, too. All you have to do is choose the wash cycle and dry cycle that's appropriate for your load—and let them do the work. Then, you can pull your clothes out when they're done. With these energy-efficient and versatile machines, it's now easier than ever before to do your laundry without spending a dime. You can shop online or visit an Aztec Appliance showroom to find a washer-dryer combination that is a perfect fit for your home. We offer the best discounts, prices, rebates and special financing to make your laundry room more affordable. We're here to help choose the right dryer with a heat pump for you!