Energy Efficient Heat Pump Washer Dryer

With new federal incentives and awe-inspiring lab test results the heat pump washer dryer is poised to become a household staple. These all-in-one machines require less time to wash and dry and are not ventless, which means they don't take conditioned air out of your home to vent outside.

The clothes are also treated with a lower temperature. Continue reading to find out more about this cutting-edge technology for washing.

1. Energy Savings

They're not just used for cooling and heating homes and offices, but they're also employed to dry clothes. A dryer with a heat pump that is ENERGY START-certified consumes 28% less power than a traditional dryer, saving you money on your electric bill. They operate at the lower temperature to lessen wear and tear and damage to your clothes.

During the drying process, heat pump washer-dryers use the same air that's recycled through the washing machine, however it goes through a condenser coil within the evaporator unit to heat up and cool the air. The warm air is pushed into the drum in order to continue drying clothes. This means that a heat pump dryer will never need to exhaust the moist air as vented dryers do.

It's worth making your appliances as energy efficient as you can, because the process of washing clothes consumes an enormous amount of energy. The most efficient way to do this is to pair an efficient washer with a dryer that uses a heat pump tumble pump. This will help you ensure maximum efficiency and save on energy costs right away.

Take a look at our selection of ENERGY STAR certified washers and dryers to start. You can sort results by model or model, energy consumption, wash cycles or spin speed. Also, be sure to check the yellow Energy Guide label to understand how much each appliance will cost to run each year.

Combined washer-dryers are another excellent option for households that cannot afford to have two separate machines or do not have the space to house them. These units connect directly to 120-volt outlets, and do not require a separate 240-volt venting or hookup. These units are great for apartments and condominiums as they can be tucked away in cabinets or under the counter.

2. Reduces Noise

Most traditional clothes dryers heat the air by using an electric or gas coil. This allows you to evaporate moisture from your clothing. That air is then vented out of your home, bringing with it your conditioned air, which you pay to cool in the summer and warm in winter. Your house will have to work extra hours to replenish the lost heat by pulling the replacement air through cracks and gaps between walls and doors.

Heat pump washer dryers transfer humidity from one place to another, rather than heating it and then venting it. This is ideal for homeowners with homes that are too small to handle additional air flow. It is also possible to install dryer and washer combinations in areas where a vented dryer would not be appropriate like under the stairs. This won't affect the efficiency or energy efficiency.

All-in-one machines have many advantages However, they also have some drawbacks. It's crucial to give yourself enough time for each load because all-in-one machines take longer to finish their cycles than traditional washers/dryers. Combining two appliances will also reduce the amount of laundry that you can wash in one go, heat pump washer dryer as it takes longer to dry whites and colors than they would when they were separate machines.

Thankfully, the majority of manufacturers have started to address these issues by offering simple solutions. For instance LG's top-rated washer and dryer combo comes with the ability to prop the door slightly open when it's running to prevent the water from accumulating and drying out of the drum. A lot of LG models, like our top pick, come with an insignificant drainage hole in the bottom laundry tub, which allows water to drain instead of pooling. Additionally, you can purchase a sound blanket that are fitted snugly over your heat pump to lessen the noise it makes.

3. Reduces wear and tear

When a heat pump dryer is working, it doesn't warm up the air like a traditional dryer. It only extracts the moisture from the clothes which means it's much more gentle on fabrics than a regular model. This helps conserve energy since it doesn't have to use energy to heat the air for the drying process.

That said, heat-pump dryers do require a bit more maintenance than standalone dryers since the condensate drain tube needs to be cleaned on a regular basis to avoid blockages. However, this isn't that much different than cleaning a regular dryer.

Combinations of heat pump washer and dryer do not vent. This means you can use them within your home without cutting into the exterior wall for ductwork. This is great for apartment dwellers or college students, as well as other people who don't wish to spend more money or alter their living space.

Because heat-pump systems do not get as hot, they take longer to dry clothes than traditional dryers. This is one reason why many people have been reluctant to accept them, but manufacturers have improved their technology over time, and a heat pump dryer on our best dryer list--the LG Signature LUWM101HWA--has typical dry times of 37 to 70 minutes.

The most important thing to reduce drying time is to avoid overdoing the detergent, which can cause excessive suds that prolongs cycles and leaves an oily residue on clothing (readers write to us every day about this issue). Make sure you're using the recommended amount of high-efficiency detergents, and wash the dispenser drawer on a regular basis. This will ensure that the machine is running as efficiently as possible and will not waste your time and money.

4. Reduces Lint

When you're drying your clothes using a heat pump dryer, it makes use of less air than vented gas or electric dryers. This is because it doesn't blow hot, humid, air into your laundry but instead, it extracts vapor at a room temperature from the air surrounding your clothes. This vapor is heated by your washer and used to remove moisture from your laundry.

Because of this efficiency, a heat pump washer dryer isn't as heavy as a traditional vented electric or gas dryer, but it still weighs about 88 lbs. That can make a difference if you're planning to put it on the wall or use it in a closet that might not be large enough to accommodate vents.

Lint buildup is a major issue with all dryers. However, the heat pump dryer's reduced temperatures limit the amount lint that could block the exhaust and prevent the clothes from drying to their maximum potential. This reduces the possibility of a fire threatening your dryer or its exhaust, which can happen when solvents and oils that are flammable from your laundry enter the vent or the dryer's evaporator.

To reduce lint build-up Make sure you clean your dryer vent at least once a year (more often when you have pets or kids). A wire brush or leaf blower can help you clear out any lint that has accumulated between ridges in the accordion hose. It's safer to do this from outside your home rather than inside if possible.

Use a detergent that is low in sudsing and follow the guidelines of the manufacturer on how to set up your water level to prevent drying out too much. Separate your laundry by kind of fabric and wash delicates like silk with heavy cottons and linens. So you don't overdye your delicates or shrink them too much. Likewise, the moisture sensors will have better chances of detecting the moment your laundry is dry to end the cycle.

5. Space Saver Space

Since heat pump dryers recycle and reuse hot air, they require less energy than vented dryers. This means they can help you save money in a variety of ways, not just by saving on utility bills but also on the amount of energy required to cool or heat your home.

This process is gentler on fabrics and reduces shrinkage which is a huge benefit when dealing with expensive clothes. It also eliminates the need to clean out dryer vents that have become clogged with lint and reduces the energy use that conventional dryers expend to warm the air in the room before it is able to enter the dryer and helps to keep your heating and cooling costs down.

In the end, heat pump dryer-washer combos are designed to fit into tiny spaces that would not have an additional laundry area, such as in kitchens or closets. These all-in one machines just take just a few inches of space over the top vented washers. They are ventless, so they can be placed anywhere you have water and a 110-volt outlet.

These all-in-one appliances are easy to operate, too. All you need to do is select the wash cycle and dry cycle that's best for your load and let them do their job. Then, simply take your clothes out when they're ready.

With these energy-efficient and versatile machines, it's now easier than ever before to wash your clothes without spending a dime. Shop online or head to an exquisite Aztec Appliance showroom today to find the ideal washer-dryer combination that fits seamlessly into your home. We have the best discounts, prices, rebates, and special financing to help make the process of upgrading your laundry space more affordable. We're here to help you select the ideal heat pump dryer for your requirements and lifestyle!