Heat-Pump Tumble Dryer
A tumble dryer that is heated by a heater is a great alternative to vented or condenser models. It saves you energy, helps protect your clothes and the environment, and is less expensive to run.
The innovative system of these dryers repurposes the air throughout the process. The air that goes into the drum is heated before it evaporates moisture, leaving your clothes and the air to be reused.
Energy efficiency
A heat pump can do so more than just warm the building. It can deliver air conditioning and is currently taking on laundry, one of the biggest energy-sucking appliances in modern homes. And it's doing it using only a tiny amount of electricity that traditional dryers use.
The secret lies in the movement of heat, not creating it. Heat pump tumble dryers do not rely on a heating element like a conventional dryer to remove moisture from the clothes. Instead, they use an air compressor that moves heat between two cycles. This is accomplished by absorbing warmth from surrounding air and venting it out, which heats the cold air that is coming in. The cycle continues.
Electric heat pumps are more gentle on your clothes, as they operate at lower temperatures than vented dryers. Vented dryers use high temperatures that cause clothes to shrink, or necklines to be misshaped. This extends their lives and helps your clothes retain their color and prints.
Venting vented tumble dryers is not required. They can be vented outside using an hose. Instead, they move heat from the outside air into a drum for drying that is filled with moist clothes. As the fabric spins the heat is transferred to the drum, which is heated to the same temperature as the room. The warm air evaporates water from the clothing and can be taken directly to the drain or stored in a tank.
The process is continuous however, when the cycle is over and the dryer exhausts it draws in fresh air from outside, which is modified by your building's furnace or air conditioning system to cool and warm purposes. It replaces conditioned air that is ejected by the exhaust vents of the dryer. This means that you don't need to spend extra money conditioning the air outside for your laundry.
This makes heat-pump dryers an excellent alternative for buildings that already have a heat pump in place to regulate indoor air. This is especially relevant for buildings that are trying to connect all indoor air systems under one control system. After all the equipment has been connected to the system, you can arrange it to ensure that the conditioned outdoor air from the central system of your building flows from one end to the other. This will decrease the requirement for every appliance to clean fresh outdoor air for every drying or washing session.
Convenience
In a time when we're increasingly conscious of our impact on the environment, selecting appliances that reduce the environmental footprint is a good idea. Heat pump tumble dryers are a good choice, using less energy than traditional models and allowing you to live a greener life.
Unlike vented or condenser tumble dryers, which make use of hot air to evaporate moisture in the drum, heat pump models recycle the heat they produce. Instead of venting outside the warm air that comes out of the evaporator is cleaned and stored in a water tank prior to being heated again to complete the cycle. This system means there's no need for an exhaust pipe and you can put your dryer anywhere in your home.
Additionally, heat pump tumble dryers are gentle on your clothes, as they prevent shrinkage. They do this by using lower temperatures to dry which protect your clothes and extends their lifespan. Heat pump dryers can be used to dry delicate silk blouses and wool sweaters.
Many heat pump tumble dryers have a variety of clever features that make washing clothes more convenient. From automatic timer settings to a clever connection to your Miele washing machine, they're designed to work around you and fit seamlessly into your daily routine.
Certain dryers with heat pump feature a sensor that gauges the amount of moisture in your clothes and automatically adjusts the time of the cycle to suit. This prevents over-drying and prolongs the life of your clothes, and also saves energy. Other helpful features include programmes that let you run a second load of laundry while your initial load is finished and an automatic cycle-ending warning to remind you to remove your laundry.
Heat pump dryers can be smaller than traditional condenser dryers or vented dryers. This makes them more convenient to fit into smaller space. Additionally their sleek designs match any modern interior design scheme. With a wide range of colours and finishes, you are certain to find a product that will complement your home perfectly.
are heat pump tumble dryers worth it
Like other tumble dryers, heat-pump models come with a pair of fine lint screens as well as condenser coils that need to be cleaned after each load. They can be easily removed and put back inside the appliance. A heat-pump also comes with a two part fluff filter that must be cleaned, opened and washed with soapy water, or descaled frequently to ensure it's functioning properly.
You should clean the moisture sensor on the appliance door as often as you can. It is susceptible to being affected by residues from detergents and other care products. This can affect its function, and result in slow drying. It is possible to do this by opening the door of the appliance and using a coarse sponge to thoroughly clean the sensor. The door is then closed again.
Maintenance
Even the most efficient tumble dryer will not give you clean and dry laundry if it's not maintained correctly. Tumble dryers can be susceptible to malfunctions, and can be costly to fix. However, regular cleaning and checks can save you money.
If your tumble dryer vents (expells warm, humid air from your home through the tube) it is essential to clean the hose at least once every three months. This is because lint and other debris can build up within the hose, limiting airflow and making your tumble dryer less efficient. Luckily, a vent hose is simple to remove and clear with a damp cloth or a vacuum cleaner that has brush attachment.
The lower filter on a tumbler made by a heat pump dryer is a little more difficult to access, but is still vital to clear. The lower filter is situated on the lower part of the machine in the front of the heat exchanger. It is removed by pushing two small levers. Rinse the filter and remove any hair or fluff and then rinse it again until it's completely clear.
The tumble dryers with a heat pump are more expensive than vented models, which is why it is essential to keep them clean and free of lint to ensure they continue to perform at their best. This will also lower your energy costs.
It's also important to ensure that the belt for the tumble dryer that rotates the drum is in good shape. If you hear noises, or notice it moving slower than normal it could be due to a belt problem.
Check that the fine mesh filters are free of lint. It's often difficult to see but it's crucial to check it frequently, as blocked filters can prolong your drying time and may also cause water to leak out of the dryer. It is also important to ensure that the heat exchanger doesn't get clogged by particles. This can happen if you don't empty the reservoir after every cycle or if you put too much washing in one cycle, and the machine will sound or beep to remind you that it is emptying.