Do you know the heat pump dryer?

Heat pump dryers are a newer product to enter the North American market from Europe. They are tiny, ventless, and energy-efficient.

It is not brand-new; heat pump technology is what powers air conditioners and refrigerators. However, some of its uses include.

Only introduced in the 1990s, residential heat pumps might, during the next ten years, replace gas and resistive heat furnaces. The creation of heat pump water heaters is relatively recent. They will represent roughly 1% of water heater sales in 2022, a percentage that is certain to rise.

Additionally new, at least in North America, are heat pump clothes dryers. They were created in Europe in the 1990s and have been commonly used there since 2007. In 2014, they were released on the American market. They asserted a 2% market share for dryers as of 2022.

Heat pump dryers, sometimes referred to as ventless dryers, provide a variety of benefits over conventional vented dryers, with the absence of a vent being one of the most glaring. They do have shortcomings that could limit their appeal; we'll discuss those in a moment. Government policy, however, exerts a strong force that moves in the other direction.

States like California want to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels for residential use, and the federal government actively promotes heat pump technology as an energy-efficient alternative. Vented dryers have been illegal in Switzerland since 2012. Similar bans could be on the horizon elsewhere, including in North America.

How Does a Heat Pump Dryer Work?

The compressor pressurizes the refrigerant to create a high-temperature, high-pressure gas. This gas then enters the condenser, where condensation causes it to liquefy and release heat. Additionally, the drying room's air is heated, producing the desired result of raising the drying room's temperature. Hot air vaporizes and evaporates the water in the material, and the dehumidifier then releases the evaporated water vapor to complete the drying process.

A heat recovery device included within the dehumidification system recovers heat for preheating fresh air, reducing energy use for preheating fresh air by 70%.

Benefits of a Heat Pump Dryer

Heat pump dryers provide a number of benefits over traditional ones:

Lower operating costs: According to Energy Star, heat pump dryers are 28% more efficient than standard dryers.

No need to drill a hole in the wall for a vent if it is ventless. This removes the risk of lint accumulation in the vents, which can result in fires. It also implies that a heat pump dryer may be placed practically anyplace. In apartments where venting is not an option, this is crucial.

kinder to clothing: A heat pump dryer is gentler on your clothing since it runs at a lower temperature than a standard dryer.

Eco-friendly: Heat pump dryers are better for the environment since they require less energy than traditional dryers.