If you are looking for a new clothes dryer, you may want to consider investing in a heat-pump model. The main reason for this is that they are more energy-efficient, but they require some maintenance since they use condenser coils. Some people also think that they are noisy and that drying clothes takes a bit of time on these models. So, is it a good idea to get a heat-pump dryer? We will answer that in this article.

The benefits of heat-pump dryers
Heat pump dryers use a different system in drying clothes. Instead of venting warm and humid air, they use air-conditioner technology to extract water from garments as they tumble at room temperature. Therefore, there is no exhaust air, and the water extracted goes straight to the drain automatically via the same pipe where the washer drains.

This drying process uses a refrigerant in the condenser coil, making this dryer at least 28 percent more energy-efficient than common dryers on the market. In fact, other dryers have lint screens that needs to be clean for efficient operation. Heat-pump dryers has a self-cleaning condenser, but it is also wise to do some manual maintenance weekly or once every few months, depending on the load of laundry you put into it.

Main selling points of heat-pump dryers
The ventless nature of heat-pump dryers is its most significant selling point because there is no need to cut into the exterior of its body to clean the vent pipe. The ventless feature of this dryer help saves energy beyond what is required to dry clothes. Most conventional dryers often waste energy when they use the air conditioner to bring the air to a comfortable room temperature, suitable enough to dry clothes. This makes them less efficient since they require more energy for each load.

The trade-off and benefits
Heat-pump dryers will indeed take longer than traditional dryers per cycle since standard dryers usually use heat to speed evaporation. But if you are going to pair an energy-efficient washer with a heat-pump dryer, you will get more savings on your monthly power bill.

However, you should understand that this type of dryer is more expensive than vented electric dryers, which usually cost around $600 to $700. But heat-pump dryers offer a setting that could help prevent wrinkles on your clothes since they can keep the garments tumbling even after they are dry. You can even re-dry clothes just to relax those wrinkles because heat-pump dryers do not add heat, so it is gentler on clothes.

Overall, heat pump dryers offer several benefits to homeowners, especially if you are looking for a more energy-efficient dryer. However, be prepared for the initial investment since it will be more expensive than the standard dryer on the market.

Do you have a smelly washing machine? Learn more from this post.

Tumble dryers are known to be energy hogs, and they are one of the significant contributors to your monthly electricity bill. So, if you are in the market for a new dryer, you should consider getting one that uses heat pump technology. These types of appliances tend to have higher energy efficiency ratings than dryers that use vented or condenser systems.

However, if you just want to make your dryer as energy efficient as possible, we have some tips for you so you can start saving energy during your next load.

Tip #1: Remove excess water by using your washer’s spin cycle
Always remember, putting wet items in your tumble dryer will often extend drying time, which will significantly increase your energy consumption and put some strain on your appliance. Therefore, we recommend using the spin cycle on your washer to remove those excess water since this will shorten the time needed to dry your clothes.

Tip #2: Always clean your evaporator and lint filters
Keeping the evaporator and lint filters clean will keep your dryer in top condition, which means better drying performance. In fact, blocked filters will make the motor work harder, and that could increase your energy consumption.

If you don’t know how to clean your tumble dryer’s filters, you can always check the manufacturer’s cleaning guide. 

Tip #3: Keep your dryer in a well-ventilated room 
For better energy efficiency, we recommend that you put your tumble dryer in a well-ventilated area in your home. You should also check the vent hose for any lint build-up since this can reduce efficiency. 

 Tip #4: Dry similar fabrics
Drying different fabrics in your dryer will reduce your energy efficiency, so it is best to dry similar fabrics since all your garments are guaranteed to dry simultaneously. 

 Tip #5: Do not overload or underload the drum
To get the best performance out of your dryer, you will need to put the right amount of laundry because overloading it will hinder drying performance and may even cause damage to the machine. Also, it is not ideal to underload your appliance since it will use the full programmes’ worth of energy.

Tip #6: Use Dryer Balls
Using dryer balls can prevent clumping and help the clothes retain heat, thus enhancing the drying process

Tip #6: Don’t add wet clothes mid-cycle
You might be tempted to put a few wet clothes halfway through your drying cycle, but this will hinder the efficiency of your dryer. In fact, the water in the wet clothes will be sucked up again, so your load will take longer to dry and will use more energy. Therefore, it’s best to save those wet garments for your next load.