Now you can get the environmental benefits and cost savings of heat pumps in your laundry room. Heat pump clothes dryers make up half of the market in Europe but have only recently emerged in the US. But with 60-70% greater efficiency than traditional electric dryers, their popularity is bound to increase.

Heat Pump Dryer Advantages

Heat pump clothes dryers use the same refrigerant cycling technology as heating/air conditioning units. The small heat pump is contained in the dryer cabinet, giving it the same appearance as a traditional dryer, and recirculates the heated air rather than venting it wastefully to the outside. This also means the dryer can be located in unvented spaces, a convenience as well as an energy saver. The moisture extracted from the clothes is either sent to a drain or collected in a pan that is emptied periodically.

Heat pump dryers greatly reduce the risk of fire (there are nearly 15,000 dryer fires in the US annually) because they operate at much lower temperatures. This means they are also easier on your clothes, especially delicate items.

Heat pump dryers also come in hybrid models that use electric heaters to cut down drying time as well as in combo washer/dryers that do both functions in a single space-saving appliance.

Heat Pump Dryer Disadvantages

At the moment, there are fewer choices for heat pump dryers. Of 577 dryers certified by Energy Star, only 42 are heat pumps. They are slightly more expensive than traditional dryers, but as sales volume grows, prices will inevitably come down and selection will increase. And there are many cost-saving rebates and incentives for energy-saving appliances, so check with federal and local government agencies and your local utility company.

Heat pump dryers can take a little longer to dry clothes but those times are coming down as new models appear. Using an efficient front-loading washer will cut down drying times, too, as they are more effective at extracting water from clothes.

Overall, customer experience with heat pump clothes dryers has been positive. For a quick 1-minute look at how heat pump dryers work, see this video from Energy Star. You can get more details on heat pump clothes dryers here.

Heat pump clothes dryers are just one part of the trend to all-electric homes and vehicles. “Going electric,” while environmentally friendly, can be complicated and expensive. If not done carefully, it can cost more than money than it saves and can pose serious risks to both your property and the precious things it houses.

Let Allstar Electrical Services help you assess the costs and benefits of converting to an all-electric home. Give us a call at 303.399.7420 or visit our website. We’re top-rated by the Better Business Bureau and a preferred contractor by Angi’s Home Advisor. We’re ready to work with you to get the results you expect and deserve.