Heat Pump Clothes Dryers: Low-Impact Laundry
CategoriesSustainable News Zero Energy Homes

Heat Pump Clothes Dryers: Low-Impact Laundry

If you’re interested in shaving off perhaps 10% of your household energy use (and your electric bill) with a single purchase, it’s time to look into heat pump clothes dryers. “An electric dryer can use anywhere from 700 to 1000 kilowatt-hours of electricity each year. That’s about a tenth of the average American’s electricity usage,” said Joe Wachunas, electrification advocate for Electrify Now and Project Manager at New Buildings Institute. “You can cut that by 75% or more using heat pump dryers.”

With options on the market that use as little as 200 kWh of energy in a year, it’s not hard to see why their market share is increasing. “Heat pump technology is critical here in America, especially,” Wachunas says. “And heat pump dryers are an exciting, relatively new technology.”

Traditional vented dryers

Vented dryers can be either gas or electric, and they require venting to the outside of the home through ducts. A heating element heats the air in the drum, evaporating the moisture from clothes. Then as the dryer runs, the hot, moist air is vented outside and replaced with air pulled in from your laundry room, basement, or wherever it’s located. This influx of fresh air must be heated to continue drying the clothes.

Ga-Young Park,  Residential Appliances Manager at ENERGY STAR, pointed out another inefficiency. “Because vented dryers pull in cooled or heated air from your home and vent it outdoors, your air conditioner or heater has to work even harder to maintain the indoor temperature.” Also, vented dryer drums get very hot during operation, which—aside from the fire risk—can overdry clothes and potentially damage fabrics.

Heat pump clothes dryers

Electric-powered heat pump dryers (aka ventless or condensation dryers) dry clothes without using a heating element or vent. Instead, heat pump technology pulls air into a condenser, heats it, and sends it into the drum, where it absorbs moisture from the wet clothes. Then, the air cycles to an evaporator, where it’s cooled. As the air gets colder, it loses moisture, which is either drained or collected in a removable tray.

That same air is then pulled from the evaporator into the condenser to be reheated while it’s still warm. In other words, heat pump dryers recycle warm air instead of venting it to the outdoors. Not having to heat fresh, cold air leads to big energy savings. Park added, “Heat pump models dry laundry at lower temperatures, which is much gentler on clothes. And unlike vented dryers, there’s basically no fire risk.”

Hybrid heat pump dryers

Hybrid heat pump dryers combine the heat pump cycle with the heating element of a vented dryer. This pairing helps the dryer drum get hotter, so clothes dry faster. Hybrid heat pump dryers are much more efficient than vented dryers, but because of the heating element, they’re less efficient than pure heat pump dryers.

Bosch heat pump dryer in butler's pantry setting; white tile and gray cabinets

Bosch WTG86403UC 300 Series 24 Inch Smart Electric Dryer, ventless. Images courtesy Amazon.

Size, price, and dry time

“People often think heat pump dryers take way longer to dry clothes because they use lower temperatures,” said Park. In reality, heat pump models can have dry times comparable to many vented dryers on the market today. All models with the ENERGY STAR label meet an 80 minute maximum dry time for a “typical” cycle, and some newer models demonstrate dry times as low as 50 to 35 minutes.

Historically, heat pump dryers have been compact in size, smaller than typical US household dyers. Things are changing, though. Park reported only ten options for standard-size dryers with heat pump technology, but expects that more standard-size heat pump dryers will continue to come on the market, particularly as hybrid models become more available.

Heat pump dryers are definitely more expensive than traditional vented dryers, but more and more, utility-sponsored rebates are available to offset the cost differential. Owners may also save on installation. Heat pump dryers do not require venting ductwork, which makes them simpler and less expensive to install. Homeowners can install the dryers nearly anywhere, provided the condensed water is allowed to collect or drain along with the washer.

Of course, you’ll also see major savings on your monthly energy bill.

Finally, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) will provide additional rebates and tax credits for homeowners looking to make energy-efficient home upgrades. (This savings calculator can help you estimate how much money you can save on a heat pump dryer through the IRA.)

Note: European households use an average of 3,700 kWh of electricity each year, just a third of what Americans use. Not coincidentally, while most of the world saves big money and energy by hanging clothes outside to dry, the practice is restricted or completely banned by many communities across the United States!

ENERGY STAR’s 5 Most Efficient Dryers

ENERGY STAR, run by the US Environmental Protection Agency, has overseen testing and labeling of quality, energy-efficient products for more than 30 years. The blue ENERGY STAR label signifies brands and models that are leaders in energy efficiency.

ENERGY STAR ranks dryers based on their Combined Energy Factor (CEF), a measure of energy efficiency. The higher a dryer’s CEF, the more energy efficient it is.

ENERGY STAR’s five most energy-efficient clothes dryers (unpaired units) are all heat pump dryers (as of January 1, 2024).

Blomberg – DHP24404W 

  • Combined Energy Factor (CEF): 11.0
  • Estimated Annual Energy Use: 217 kWh/yr
  • Estimated Energy Test Cycle Time: 67 minutes
  • Additional Features: Sanitization cycle, Filter cleaning indicator, Steam cycle, Drum light, Time remaining display

Beko – HPD24414W 

  • Combined Energy Factor (CEF): 11.0
  • Estimated Annual Energy Use: 217 kWh/yr
  • Estimated Energy Test Cycle Time: 67 minutes
  • Additional Features: Sanitization cycle, Filter cleaning indicator, Steam cycle, Drum light, Time remaining display

Miele – PDR908 HP

  • Combined Energy Factor (CEF): 9.75
  • Estimated Annual Energy Use: 245 kWh/yr
  • Estimated Energy Test Cycle Time: 53 minutes
  • Additional features: Filter cleaning indicator, Drum light, Wrinkle prevention option, Time remaining display

Asko – T411HS.W.U

  • Combined Energy Factor (CEF): 9.1
  • Estimated Annual Energy Use: 263 kWh/yr
  • Estimated Energy Test Cycle Time: 80 minutes
  • Additional features: Filter cleaning indicator, Drum light, Wrinkle prevention option, Time remaining display

LG – DLHC5502*

  • Combined Energy Factor (CEF): 9.0
  • Estimated Annual Energy Use: 266 kWh/yr
  • Estimated Energy Test Cycle Time: 68 minutes
  • Additional features: Wrinkle prevention option, time remaining display, drum capacity 7.8 cu-ft

This article springs from Electrify Now’s webinar on Heat Pump Dryers. Their followup, Heat Pump Dryers – Update on Brands and Options, compares units from Bosch, Miele, GE, and LG:

The author:

Catherine Poslusny is a freelance writer and content marketing specialist based out of Norman, OK. You can find her at catherinerosewrites.com.

Reference

Ten homes with walk-in wardrobes that store clothes in interesting ways
CategoriesInterior Design

Ten homes with walk-in wardrobes that store clothes in interesting ways

In this lookbook, we pick out 10 home interiors that feature walk-in closets designed to provide bedroom storage that is both practical and appealing.

Walk-in wardrobes create a bespoke storage solution that is hard to achieve with standard furniture.

Often they are considered a luxurious feature used to declutter the bedroom in large houses, but as the 10 examples below demonstrate, they can also be a sleek solution for utilising dead space in smaller homes.

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks showcasing well-organised bedrooms, interiors with built-in furniture and homes that make a feature of their corridors.


Marine house extension designed by David Barr Architects
Photo is by Jack Lovel

Marine, Australia, by David Barr Architects

This walk-through wardrobe sits in a corridor between a bathroom and the master bedroom of a cottage near Perth.

Birch-plywood storage units and concrete flooring define the wardrobe, a continuation of the materials used throughout the light and airy extension designed by David Barr architects.

Find out more about Marine ›


Walk-in wardrobe
Photo is by Roehner + Ryan

O-asis, USA, by The Ranch Mine

Warm-toned wood shelving and cabinetry was combined with terrazzo flooring in this enormous walk-in closet that sets out clothes like a boutique fashion store.

It flows right off from the bathroom of a large house in Arizona designed for a musician by architecture studio The Ranch Mine.

Find out more about O-asis ›


Bedroom of Botaniczna Apartment by Agnieszka Owsiany Studio
Photo is by Pion Studio

Botaniczna Apartment, Poland, by Agnieszka Owsiany Studio

A linen-curtain screen tidily obscures the walk-in wardrobe in this Poznań apartment designed by Agnieszka Owsiany Studio.

The elegant and delicate aesthetic of the curtains contributes to the calming atmosphere the studio sought to create, as well as helping to offset the adjacent burl-wood vanity desk that acts as the bedroom’s feature element.

Find out more about Botaniczna Apartment ›


Apartment by Studio Noju
Photo is by Studio Noju

Casa Triana, Spain, by Studio Noju

Studio Noju used a floor-to-ceiling curtain to create a walk-in wardrobe in the main bedroom of this renovated apartment in Seville.

The studio used a bright yellow paint for the wardrobe that contrasts with the monochrome curtain and surrounding walls, adding to the sense of theatre and surprise when the drape is drawn back.

Find out more about Casa Triana ›


Apartment in Estrela by Aurora Arquitectos
Photo by Do Mal o Menos

Apartment in Estrela, Portugal, by Aurora Arquitectos

A small, triangular room in this old Lisbon apartment was converted into a walk-in closet as part of a revamp by Aurora Arquitectos.

White curtains cover a storage unit that runs along the longest wall of the wardrobe, which is provided with natural light by glazing above an arched doorway.

Find out more about Apartment in Estrela ›


House H in Taiwan designed by KC Design Studio
Photo is by Hey! Cheese

House H, Taiwan, by KC Design Studio

This basement apartment in Taipei was given a moody colour palette and raw textures in an overhaul by KC Design Studio.

That theme was continued in the walk-in wardrobe off the master bedroom, which acts as a dressing area between an en-suite bathroom and a private lounge.

Find out more about House H ›


Hubert by Septembre Architecture
Photo is by David Foessel

Hubert, France, by Septembre

Embedded within a modestly sized Paris apartment renovated by architecture studio Septembre, this walk-in closet is an example of clever utilisation of space.

A wall behind the bed forms a partial division, allowing for generous clothing storage while retaining the room’s overall proportions.

Find out more about Hubert ›


The Magic Box Apartment Raúl Sánchez Architects
Photo is by José Hevia

The Magic Box Apartment, Spain, by Raúl Sánchez Architects

This apartment near Barcelona, designed by Raúl Sánchez Architects, takes the concept of a walk-in wardrobe to a new level.

Aptly called The Magic Box Apartment, it features a shiny brass wardrobe that divides two bedrooms instead of a traditional partition wall, which can be passed through like a secret passageway.

Find out more about The Magic Box Apartment ›


RL House Renovation by Diego López Fuster Arquitectura
Photo is by Pablo Pacheco

RL House Renovation, Spain, by Diego López Fuster Arquitectura

Diego López Fuster Arquitectura opted to give the bedroom of this Alicante a generous walk-in wardrobe that acts as a full dressing area.

Rather than being hidden or tucked away, its wide proportions help to make the relatively long and narrow bedroom feel more spacious.

Find out more about RL House Renovation ›


Casp21 by Bonba Studio
Photo is by José Hevia

Casp21, Spain, by Bonba Studio

Green-panelled wood boxing encloses a sizeable walk-in wardrobe in the corner of this bedroom in a converted office building in Barcelona.

Through this intervention, Bonba Studio maximised the feeling of brightness and spaciousness in the room, as well as ensuring that the full impact of the traditional vaulted ceiling was maintained.

Find out more about Casp21 ›

This is the latest in our series of lookbooks providing curated visual inspiration from Dezeen’s image archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks showcasing well-organised bedrooms, interiors with built-in furniture and homes that make a feature of their corridors.

Reference

Smart threads make it easy to disassemble and recycle clothes
CategoriesSustainable News

Smart threads make it easy to disassemble and recycle clothes

Spotted: In the drive to become more sustainable, the fashion industry faces a number of serious challenges. One major issue is how to recycle clothing that is made from several different materials. Taking the clothes apart in order to recycle their constituent materials is costly and time-consuming, and often leads to a large loss of usable material. Now, startup Resortecs has an innovative solution.

The company has designed ‘Smart Stitch’ threads that dissolve at different temperatures – either 150, 170, or 200 degrees Celsius. This makes it possible to disassemble garments in stages.

In addition to producing the threads, Resortecs has also developed a low-emission thermal disassembly system. Designed for recyclers, this system allows up to 500 kilogrammes of garments to be dismantled at one time.

By combining the threads with the thermal disassembly system, it is possible to recover up to 90 per cent of a garment’s fabric.

The benefits of this circular system could be extensive. In the fashion industry, around 50 per cent of carbon emissions and 75 per cent of water use occurs during the production and material processing stage. By making it easier to recycle, Resortec could reduce the amount of new material needed, leading to big savings in both carbon and water.

And there are also economic benefits to Resortec’s approach. The company claims its threads and disassembly system can deliver a saving of around €0.50 for each pair of jeans.

Springwise has spotted innovators taking a range of approaches to fashion sustainability, from the use of more sustainable materials to resale options for high-end items and closed-loop production methods. 

Written By: Lisa Magloff

Website: resortecs.com

Contact: resortecs.com/contact

Reference

Washing clothes with shower water
CategoriesSustainable News

Washing clothes with shower water

Spotted: The average washing machine uses between 50 and 80 litres of water – in a world where over two billion people live in countries where water supply is inadequate.

To tackle this, Lylo Products has developed a device that allows users to wash their laundry using less water than a normal washing machine. Water is collected in a removable water tank that is placed on the floor of a shower like a mat. As the user showers, this tank fills up and is then reattached to the device’s base. The machine then filters the water and uses it to wash dirty clothes.

Lylo co-founder Joanne Powers recently spoke to Springwise. She explains that she was inspired to found the company after learning the shocking statistic that England could run short of water within 25 years.

One of the key benefits of Lylo is as an educational tool. “When people are using a device that collects and reuses water they suddenly start realising that water re-use is a possibility and is actually safe,” Powers explains. In this way the hope is that Lylo will act as a catalyst, inspiring other hardware innovators to explore ways for re-using water.

Affordability is another of the startup’s main aims. Students are a key target market for Lylo, as on-campus launderette facilities are often very expensive for those living on a tight budget. Eventually Powers hopes to develop a product that could be used in student accommodation – putting the responsibility for water saving onto universities rather than individual consumers.

The company’s short-term roadmap is to build a small number of units for pilot testing by the end of 2022. The purpose of this testing will be to check whether a device that involves such a lifestyle change is comfortable for people, and whether any further tweaks are needed before it goes into commercial manufacturing.

Other water-saving innovations recently spotted by Springwise include a recirculating shower, a shower sensor that encourages users to save water, and an eco-friendly fit bit for your water meter.

Written By: Matthew Hempstead

Email: lyloproducts@gmail.com

Website: lyloproducts.co.uk

Reference