Doing laundry may be the bane of your existence, but you have to remember, we’ve come a long way since the days of washboards and hanging garments on clothes lines for drying.
Our laundry machines continue to evolve and work their magic, especially when it comes to the power of drying technology. One of the most inspiring innovations in the world of laundry appliances today is the heat pump clothes dryer: it’s the most energy-efficient dryers on the market, significantly reducing your carbon footprint while also saving you money.
These heat pump dryers are incredibly eco-friendly and use 20-60% less energy than conventional dryers. Sounds nice, right?
At a Glance:
What is a Heat Pump Clothes Dryer?
What exactly is a heat pump dryer? Good question!
For starters, it’s important to point out that these electric dryers are ventless, meaning they can be placed anywhere because they don’t require easy access to outdoor ventilation. This is beneficial for 2 big reasons:
1. If you have a small space, you could put this dryer in any room or next to anything: your closet, bathroom, bedroom, etc. Nothing is off limits because of reason number 2.
2. You don’t need to install a venting duct.
Because there are no vents, the heat pump clothes dryer works by extracting the moisture out of the clothes and placing the water in a removable compartment.
Inside, the heat pump dryer uses refrigerant to catch hot air, pushing it through to a compressor which will ultimately make it even hotter than before. This hot air then flows back in through the dryer drum, which then goes through the cycle all over again. The moisture from the wet clothes is then captured in the built-in catch drawer which can collect water from a couple of cycles, depending on the size of your dryer, or it can run through a hose and out a drain.
What’s the Difference Between a Regular Dryer and a Heat Pump Model?
The are many differences between a regular dryer and a heat pump model.
For instance, a conventional dryer normally distributes heat through a heating element while a heat pump dryer uses the room’s air to heat the air in the dryer, making this style more efficient in the way of energy usage.
Another big difference between the two kinds of dryers has to do with their venting systems. Like we mentioned earlier, all dryers need a vent to release moisture—except for heat pump dryers.
Because this sustainable dryer is ventless, the moisture removed from the wet clothes needs to go somewhere—which it does: right into an easily accessible compartment, allowing you to remove and pour out into the sink, over your plants, or somewhere else it can be recycled. Heat pump dryers give you more control over where your water goes so there is more opportunity to reuse and prevent waste.
Comparing the Technologies
While all our dryers have their perks, we’ve provided a guide with the pros and cons of a heat pump, electric, and gas dryer to help you compare each technology and decide what would be best for your lifestyle.
Heat pump electric dryer | Miele Heat Pump Dryer
- Pros—Energy efficient, saves more money over time, easy to install, lasts up to 20 years
- Cons—Longer drying time, more costly upfront
Electric dryer | GE Electric Dryer
- Pros—Easy to install, cheaper upfront
- Cons—Costs more over time, least energy efficient
Gas dryer | Electrolux Gas Dryer
- Pros—Quicker drying cycles, energy efficient
- Cons—Requires a gas hookup
Heat Pump Dryer Features
Heat pump dryers aren’t just useful for being eco-conscious; they are genuinely brilliant at drying clothes.
This Beko ventless pump dryer is the perfect example, proving that heat pump technology is just as capable as conventional electric or gas dryers. Here are a few features that come with this specific brand:
- Gentle Care—Your delicates will be cared for properly with the help of this feature.
- Jeans Cycle—Jeans are known for taking a while to dry, so select this to get an even dry on those dense jeans every time.
- Anti-Wrinkle—Get wrinkle-free clothing and avoid ironing altogether with assistance from this handy little feature.
- Stainless Steel Drum—In addition to quieter operation and incredible durability, this model’s stainless steel drum won’t stain, rust or corrode.
Heat Pump Dryer Styles
As far as looks go, it’s more about what’s on the inside that counts when it comes to heat pump dryers.
While these heat pump clothes dryers appear clean and sleek like this Whirlpool heat pump dryer, let’s be honest—they look just like regular dryers! The fact that they work so hard to recycle hot air should be all that matters when you’re throwing a load in.
Of course, while ventless dryers tend to appear the same, not all function the same which is why choosing one based off of features relevant to your lifestyle is necessary to help you find the right fit.
If you happen to be someone who is always on the go, get a heat pump dryer with Smart Care to help you manage your laundry loads, troubleshoot and more, all from your phone! Or maybe your large bedding for your king-size bed needs a dryer setting that can handle its fluff and mass; so owning a ventless dryer with a Bulky Bedding Cycle would certainly fix that issue.
Whichever model you decide on, make sure it has features that work to make your life better.
Shop Local for Heat Pump Dryers at Albert Lee Appliance
Whether you’re seeking sustainable energy efficiency, versatile placement options, or just looking to save some money, a heat pump dryer is the way to go. Contact us by phone or click the talk bubble in the right-hand corner of our website to chat more about ventless heat pump dryers today!