Save More On Laundry with a Heat Pump Clothes Dryer
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Summary
Tired of spending too much money on utility bills or wrestling with hot, humid laundry rooms after drying clothes? There's a new sheriff in town (well, laundry room), and it's not just energy-efficient – it's a heat pump clothes dryer!
Tired of spending too much money on utility bills or wrestling with hot, humid laundry rooms after drying clothes? There's a new sheriff in town (well, laundry room), and it's not just energy-efficient – it's a heat pump clothes dryer! You might already know about heat pumps for keeping your home’s air temperature comfortable, but this innovative technology can also revolutionize how you dry your clothes.
Around 80% of U.S. households have a clothes dryer, with the average consumer running more than 280 laundry cycles annually. If you have a conventional clothes dryer, it’s likely these 280 cycles are using more energy than your refrigerator uses for a full year.
A high-efficiency heat pump dryer is a great way to reduce energy costs while maintaining the convenience and performance of a conventional dryer. Compared to a conventional electric model, an ENERGY STAR certified heat pump dryer could save you more than $500 in electricity costs over the life of the product.
Before you replace your dryer with another conventional model, consider an ENERGY STAR certified heat pump dryer instead! With state rebates on the horizon from the Inflation Reduction Act, there has never been a better time to switch.
Key Benefits of a Heat Pump Dryer
Performance: Heat pump dryer technology is continuously advancing, not only in reducing energy use, but also in improving drying performance. The maximum drying cycle time of an ENERGY STAR certified heat pump dryer is comparable to that of a conventional dryer, with typical dry times between 37-70 minutes. Heat pump dryers also dry at lower temperatures than conventional dryers, so they are gentler on your clothes, and they won’t turn your laundry room into a sauna.
- Efficiency: Unlike conventional dryers that expel hot air outside through a vent, heat pump dryers use a closed loop system that continuously recycles warm air. This process of moving and recycling heat means much less energy is needed to generate heat to dry your clothes. ENERGY STAR certified heat pump dryers use around 70% less energy compared to conventional dryers.
- Convenience: Heat pump dryers are easier to install than conventional dryers due to their lack of ventilation equipment. Since heat pump dryers are ventless, they are an excellent option for small spaces, additions, or apartments without existing vent access. In certain cases, you may need to have a drain nearby for water removal. If you don’t have a drain available, many models include water collection chambers that you can empty manually, much like a dehumidifier.
- Emissions: Since heat pump dryers reduce energy use, they also help to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In fact, if all new electric dryers sold in the U.S. were ENERGY STAR certified heat pump dryers, they could save upwards of $147 million annually in electricity costs and reduce emission equivalent to taking 152,000 vehicles off the road.
All-In-One Combination Washer/Dryers
The latest innovation in laundry combines a heat pump dryer and a clothes washer, so you can do your laundry all in one machine. These all-in-one units allow you to wash and dry a single load of laundry in 1.5–2 hours without needing to transfer the load. On top of its added convenience, a combined unit also means you don’t need to worry about the risk of mildew or mold forming in your washer, since the drum dries itself during the drying cycle. Plus, you get the efficiency and savings benefits of both an ENERGY STAR certified clothes washer and heat pump dryer. Combined washer and heat pump dryer units that have earned the ENERGY STAR certification can help you save $130 per year on utility costs compared to conventional washer and dryer units—that can add up to more than $1,000 in savings over the life of the product!
Save With Rebates and Incentives
With funding from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, states are beginning to roll out new rebate programs for energy efficient appliances, including ENERGY STAR certified heat pump dryers.
As these state rebates roll out, you may have the opportunity to upgrade to the latest efficient heat pump dryer technology for the same price or even less than standard electric dryers. And you will also benefit from energy cost savings over the lifetime of the heat pump dryer.
If you’re ready to upgrade to a heat pump dryer and start saving energy, explore the ENERGY STAR Product Finder to find an ENERGY STAR certified model to meet your needs. You can also explore the ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder for heat pump dryer rebates and other incentives available in your area.