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Heat Pump Dryers Save Energy and Eliminate Potential Fire HazardsConventional dryers make use of electric resistance or gas combustion to heat the air then blow it over the clothes. The warm, moist air is then blown outside. They don't require vents, which help save energy and reduce fire hazards from lint build-up in the vents.They also have lower temperatures and are gentler on clothing, so they can take longer to dry than traditional machines. Aztec Appliance has more information about these ventless washers.EfficiencyYou can save lots of money on your electric bill by using the heat pump dryer. It consumes up to 28 percent less energy than a traditional clothes dryer, according to Energy Star. It may not seem like much, but if you do 20 loads of laundry each week in Massachusetts where electricity prices are among the highest in the United States it will save you hundreds of dollars over the course of a 12 year lifespan.A heat pump dryer is similar to a dehumidifier. It starts with air which is heated by a compressor, and then sent through another set of coils to warm it more. The hot air pulls moisture from the clothing and then into the heat exchanger, where it is condensed. It then drips into a empty pan or a tube that can be connected to drain it. The moist, cooled air is then circulated over the coils of the condenser, to be heated.Heat pump dryers don't require an exhaust vent. They can therefore be installed in places where a traditional dryer would not be able to fit. They also are quieter and more versatile, making them ideal for homes and other areas that have limited space. Additionally, they are safer than dryers with vents, which can be an fire hazard if they are not maintained regularly.However, as they operate at lower temperatures than conventional dryers, it will take longer for your laundry to dry using the help of a heat pump dryer. It is also essential to clean the heat pump dryer frequently since it functions as a dehumidifier, and produces a lot of moisture during drying. That's especially true when you reside in an area that is humid or if your clothes are soaked with lots of moisture in the dryer. You can accomplish this by regularly checking and cleaning the lint screen and the condenser coils. You should also clean out the drain tube occasionally. The evaporator coil is also susceptible to bacteria and mold However, regular cleaning is required to keep it in good working order.CondensationThe traditional method of drying clothes is using the use of a fan to blow hot air on the laundry. The air is then vented to the outside. This method consumes a lot of energy and requires a vented outside space to vent the venting. Heat pump dryers--also known as ventless dryers, recycle the air instead. They are able to heat the air by reusing energy used to power the machine, and then condense it into water that drains out of the bottom of the drum. washersanddryers are also smaller than vented dryers and they can be built into a laundry room or even an attic.Heat pump dryers, though popular in Europe and Japan are relatively new to the American market. They're now available in sizes that would fit into most home laundry rooms, and provide significant energy savings as well as other benefits to the climate. Because they do not exhaust indoor air outdoors, you won't need to clean your venting system or deal with any potential problems.They are similar to the refrigeration system of a refrigerator. They have an compressor that presses refrigerant into a set of coils, releasing heat. The evaporator coils soak up warmth from air passing through. The refrigerant heated circulates in the second set of coils to condense moist air. The refrigerant that has been cooled is then pumped back into the first coils, and is reheated.The heat pump dryers require maintenance just as other dryers with electric motors to ensure their performance is at its best. Lint can accumulate on the filters and evaporator coils. It is important to clean these frequently to avoid excessive wear. They also employ refrigerants that have an extremely high GWP, also known as Global Warming Potential. These need to be recycled.Another issue to be considered is the fact that heat pump dryers generally take longer than vented dryers to finish a load. This is because the maximum temperature of heat pump dryers is lower at around 120degF. This means that they will need to tumble a longer before they're completely dry.Lint ScreensThe dryers of heat pumps have an air lint filter and venting system that must be maintained regularly. A blocked vent can drastically lengthen drying times, and poses a fire risk. Vents for dryers that are vented can reach temperatures that are high enough to ignite volatile oils and chemicals on clothes.A heat pump vent system needs a dehumidifier to eliminate moisture before air exits the dryer. Dehumidifiers can also cut down on energy costs by lowering the temperature of the incoming hot water used to heat the air.The lint filter in a heat-pump dryer is finer and needs to be cleaned more often than the one in the conventional dryer. The lint screen that is located in the door's opening can build up lint. It should be cleaned frequently.The models with a heat pump have a heated drum, which means the interior of the machine must be kept clear of lint and residues from dryer or fabric softener sheets. The heated drum walls could be required to be cleaned and inspected regularly, as they may require to be changed as indicated by the user's manual.According to the U.S. Fire Administration, lint buildup inside the dryer's exhaust pipe is more than an inconvenience. It's also a fire hazard that causes around 2,900 house fires each year. Clean your dryer's lint-exhaust pipe every year with a wire brush, or employ an air blower from the exterior to remove lint from the inside of the hose, as this How-to video will explain. It's safer to do it from the outside, as you won't get lint on your face. If you are not confident that you'll be able to clean the ducts, hire a professional.If you don't feel the air moving through the vent of your dryer outside or the dryer is taking longer to dry than it normally does it could be due to a lint blockage deeper in the duct. Pick a day in the year to clean your vent system--Labor Day, the beginning of spring, or the start or the end of daylight saving time. Stick to it.InstallationDrying laundry in modern dryers is among the most essential options available to homeowners. However, choosing the right dryer is an important choice for those looking to reduce their energy costs and make a an impact on the environment. For many people, heat pump dryers are a great option. Heat pump dryers are different from vented dryers like traditional ones that utilize gas combustion or electricity for heating air, and then blowing hot, dried air into the drum in order to eliminate moisture. They reuse the air, pulling out the humid air and cooling it, allows it to be returned to the laundry room where it can be used again.Because heat pump dryers do not require venting outside and don't require 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 over the garage) and even for additions. Additionally, since the ENERGY STAR label is a reputable quality mark of energy efficiency heat pump dryers are often more efficient than traditional vented models.Contrary to the majority of dryers for clothing that require a dedicated circuit, the majority of heat pump dryers are made to operate on standard 120-volt, 15-amp electrical circuits. This is a huge benefit for older homes with older wiring, and could reduce the cost of installation.However, the fact that heat pump dryers aren't as powerful than other dryers means they take longer to finish the cycle. Since they don't move between the two like conventional dryers do, large items such as towels and sheets could become a laundry sludge which is difficult to unravel. Some manufacturers attempt to resolve this issue by turning off the tumble cycle for brief periods of time during the course of a cycle.They also require more maintenance than other dryers. Lint can build up on the heat exchanger coils and evaporator coils, and require regular vacuuming or professional cleaning to ensure they are running at a high efficiency. The dryers that use heat pumps do not vent, so they can collect moisture inside the dryer. This can cause mold.