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Heat Pump Dryers Save Energy and Eliminate Potential Fire Hazards Conventional dryers heat the air using electric resistance or gas combustion, blow it over tumbling clothes and vent the warm, moist air outside. The dryers that use heat pumps don't need vents, which help save energy and reduce fire hazards from lint build-up in the vents. They also have lower temperatures and are more gentle on clothing, which means they might take longer to dry than traditional machines. Aztec Appliance has more information about these ventless washers. Efficiency A heat pump dryer can save you a significant amount of money every year on your electricity bill. According to Energy Star, it uses up to 28 percent less energy than a conventional clothes dryer. It may not sound like much but in the case of a family that does 20 loads of laundry each week in Massachusetts where electricity costs are among the highest in the United States, you'll save hundreds over the course of 12 years with a heat pump dryer. A heat pump dryer is similar to a dehumidifier. The heat pump dryer begins with heated air that is then pushed through coils to heat it even more. The heated air draws moisture from the clothing into the heat exchanger where it's condensed. It then drips into a empty pan or tube that can be connected to drain it. The cool, moist air is then circulated back over the coils of a condenser to be reheated. 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 are also more quiet and flexible and are ideal for apartments or other spaces that have limited space. Additionally, they are more secure than dryers with vents, which can pose dangerous if not cleaned regularly. However, since they operate at lower temperatures than conventional dryers, it will take longer for your laundry to dry using a heat pump dryer. Furthermore, since they function much like a dehumidifier and generate plenty of water during drying, it's important to clean your dryer's heat pump regularly. This is particularly important if you reside in an area that is humid or if your clothes have a lot of moisture trapped inside the dryer. You can check this regularly by checking and cleaning the lint filter and condenser coils. Also, you should keep the drain tube clean. The evaporator coil can be susceptible to mold and bacteria However, regular cleaning is required to keep it in good shape. Condensation The traditional way to dry clothes involves a fan blowing hot air over the tumbling laundry, then venting that warm, moist air to the outside. This method consumes a lot of energy and requires a vented outside space for the venting. Heat pump dryers—also known as ventless dryers—recycle that air instead. They heat the incoming air by reusing the energy required to power the machine, then condense the resultant moisture into water, which drains out the bottom of the dryer drum. They're also smaller than vented dryers, and they can be fitted into a laundry area or even in 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 can fit in the majority of laundry rooms, and they offer significant energy savings and other climate benefits. Because they do not exhaust indoor air outdoors, you won't need to clean your venting system or fix any potential problems. They are similar to the refrigeration system of a refrigerator. They feature an compressor that presses refrigerant through one coil, and then releases heat. The evaporator coils absorb warmth from air passing through. The heated refrigerant flows through two coils to condense the humid air. The cooled refrigerant then flows back into the first set of coils and is heated to continue the process. Similar to other electric dryers, a heat pump dryer still needs maintenance to keep its energy efficiency at its highest level. Lint builds up on the filters, as well as on the condenser and evaporator coils, and it's important to clean them frequently to avoid wear and tear. They also use refrigerants that have high GWP (Global Warming Potential) and therefore, they have to be recycled properly as well. They take longer than vented dryers to dry loads. This is because the maximum temperature of heat pump dryers is lower at 120degF. This means they will need to tumble a longer before they're completely dry. Lint Screens Heat pump dryers are equipped with an air lint filter and venting system that need to be cleaned on a regular basis. A blocked dryer vent can prolong drying times and create an fire risk. The exhaust from a vented dryer may be heated to the point of igniting volatile oils and chemicals. The vent system of a heat pump requires a dehumidifier to eliminate moisture from the air prior to it leaves the dryer. A dehumidifier will also help you save energy by reducing the temperature at which hot water is heated to warm the air. The lint screen on the heat pump dryer is more fine than conventional dryers, which is why it requires cleaning more often. The lint trap inside the door opening is also a good place for lint to build up and should be checked and removed regularly. Heat pump models also come with a heated drum wall, which means that the inside of the dryer needs to be free of lint, fabric softener and dryer sheet residue. The heated drum walls also require regular cleaning and inspections, since they might need to be replaced as specified in the user's manual. Lint buildup in the dryer's exhaust hoses isn't just a nuisance; it's a serious danger to fire and can cause an average of 2,900 house fires every year according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Clean your dryer's lint-exhaust pipe every year with wire brushes, or use an air blower from outside to remove lint from the inside of the hose as this How-to video will explain. It's better to do this from the outside, since you will avoid getting lint in your eyes. If you are not confident that you'll be able clean the ducts, hire an expert. If you can't sense air flowing through your dryer vent outside or when your dryer takes longer to dry than it normally does there may be an obstruction from lint in the vent. Choose tumble dryers with heat pump of the year to clean your vents – Labor Day, the beginning of spring, or the day that marks the beginning or the end of daylight saving time. Stick to it. Installation Modern dryers that are electric are among the most convenient options for homeowners. However, choosing the right dryer is an important decision for those looking to reduce their utility bills and make a positive impact on the environment. The heat pump dryer is a great option for many. Contrary to traditional vented dryers that make use of gas or electricity to heat air and blow the hot, dry air into the drum to remove moisture in the air, heat pump dryers reuse the same air over and over by pulling the moist air out of the clothes and cooling it, allowing it to return to the laundry room where it can be used again. Heat pump dryers don't require chimneys, ducting, or a chimney to vent outside. They can be placed in small rooms such as laundry closets. They are ideal for tiny houses, accessory dwelling units (such a laundry room or apartment above the garage), and even additions. Heat pump dryers often perform better than traditional vented dryers because they are energy STAR certified. Unlike most other types of clothes dryers that require a separate circuit, the majority of heat pump dryers are designed to operate on standard 120-volt, 15-amp electrical circuits. This is a benefit for older homes that have older wiring and can save you money on installation. Heat pump dryers have a lower power than other dryers, and therefore take longer to complete a cycle. Because they don't go between the two like conventional dryers do, large items such as towels and sheets can become a laundry sausage which is difficult to unwind. Some manufacturers attempt to solve this issue by reversing the tumble cycle for short periods of time during a cycle. The dryers that use heat pumps also require more maintenance than other dryers. Lint can collect on the heat exchanger coils and evaporator coils, requiring periodic cleaning or vacuuming to ensure they are running at a high efficiency. Because dryers with heat pumps don't vent, they can also gather moisture inside the dryer, causing mold.