Energy Efficient Heat Pump Washer Dryer

With the introduction of new federal incentives and impressive laboratory test results, the heat pump washer dryer is set to become a commonplace. These all-in-one devices require less time to wash and dry and are ventless, meaning they don't draw conditioned air out of your home to vent outdoors.

The clothes are also treated at the use of a lower temperature. Continue reading to learn more about this innovative laundry technology.

1. Saves Energy

They're not just used to cool and heat homes, but they're also being used to dry clothes. A heat pump dryer that is ENERGY START-certified consumes 28% less power than a conventional dryer, which will save you money on your electric bill. They use a lower temperature to reduce wear and tear, and damage to your clothes.

During the drying process, heat pump washer-dryers utilize the same air that is recycled through the washing machine, however it passes through a condenser unit in the evaporator unit in order to warm up and cool the air. The warm air is moved into the drum to continue drying clothes. This means that the heat pump dryer won't not have to exhaust the moisture-laden air as vented dryers do.

Because laundry processes consume significant amounts of energy, it's worth trying to make your current appliances as efficient as they can be. The best method to accomplish this is to combine an efficient washer with a dryer that uses a heat pump. This will enable you to maximize efficiency, and begin saving money on energy immediately.

To begin, check out our selection of energy STAR certified dryers and washers. You can sort results by model, energy consumption, wash cycles or spin speed. Also, make sure to check the yellow Energy Guide label to understand the amount each appliance will cost to run each year.

Combination washer-dryers can be an excellent option for households that cannot afford two separate machines or don't have enough space. These units connect directly to a 120-volt outlet and don't require a special 240 volt venting or hookup. They're great for condos and apartments as they'll fit in a closet or underneath a counter.

2. Reduces Noise

The majority of traditional dryers employ the hot gas or electric coil to heat the air which evaporates the moisture from your laundry. That air is then vented outside your home, taking with it the conditioned air, which you pay to cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Your home will have to work overtime in order to replace the lost conditioned heat by pulling the replacement air through cracks and gaps between walls and doors.

The heat pump washer dryers transfer humidity from one location to another, rather than heating it and venting it. This is great for homeowners who have houses that are too small to accommodate the additional air flow. It's also possible to install dryer/washer combos in spaces that they would not normally be able to place a vented dryer like under the stairs without sacrificing energy efficiency and combo performance.

While this is an important benefit of all-in-one washing and drying machines, they aren't without their drawbacks. It's crucial to give yourself enough time for each load because all-in-one machines take longer to complete their cycles than traditional dryers or washers. Also the combination of two appliances together reduces the amount of laundry you can do in one go, since it takes approximately an hour longer for whites and colors to dry than they would in separate machines.

Thankfully, many manufacturers have begun to solve these issues by offering simple solutions. For instance, LG's top-rated washer-dryer combo comes with the ability to prop the door open slightly while the machine is running to stop water from pooling and drying out of the drum. Many LG models such as our top choice, have a small drain hole at the bottom of the tub to let the water flow out instead of pooling in the drum. You can also purchase a sound blanket that are fitted snugly over your heat pump to minimize its noise.

3. Reduces wear and tear

When a heat pump dryer functions it doesn't heat the air like a conventional dryer. Instead, it only removes moisture from the clothes and is therefore much more gentle on fabrics than a regular model. This also saves energy because it doesn't have to waste the energy that it takes to heat the air up to dry the garments.

Heat-pump dryers require more maintenance than standalone machines due to the fact that the condensate drain tube must be cleaned regularly to avoid obstructions. However, this isn't much different from cleaning a standard dryer.

The main difference is that heat pump washer and dryer combos do not vent, which means you can put them in a house without cutting into the exterior wall to run ductwork. This is ideal for people who live in apartments as well as college students and others who don't want to spend more money or modify their living space.