Discussion
Random question for the Fediverse: anyone here used/have opinions on HEAT PUMP CLOTHES DRYERS? Would need to be 120V, not 240V (no available wiring).
(seriously considering just biting the bullet and getting one to replace the old gas dryer).
#clothesdryers #heatpump #electrification #appliances #climate
@ai6yr I just replaced my washer and dryer with a combo 120V heat-pump unit about a month ago. I like it; no regrets so far. My clothes don't feel as dry immediately at the end of a default cycle as they did with my previous electric dryer, but 1) they seem noticeably dryer within like a minute after I've opened the door, for reasons I don't understand; 2) I've been trying to hang-dry more things anyway; 3) my housemates have been just running the dryer for longer than the default cycle and they seem happy with how effective that is.
Things I learned from my research before buying this:
I found the information at https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/heat-pump-dryer/ particularly informative about what the heat pump is actually doing in this configuration and what pros and cons they have. I didn't use their list of recommended models, though.
@ai6yr opinion: they’re a super neat idea. but … has nobody yet made one that’s set up as an air handler for a preexisting mini-split compressor?
that seems like such an obvious win-win for home appliance integration …
now if only appliance durability was increasing over time, like technology suggests it should. rather than decreasing year by year like capitalism demands …
@cmdrmoto Yeah, this is why we've been using the same 1990's dryer for a long while. Finally getting to an end of its life (with many replacements of components, mind you, I've rebuilt the thing three times).
@ai6yr I’ve looked into them, and as soon as I can find one that fits in my tiny laundry closet I’m going to get one. (Hasn’t been a priority so it’s lingered for a while, it my gas dryer is dying and the project is moving) This is part of my de-gasification project, and tbh I would say absolutely do it.
@wordshaper Yeah, same here... I think the gas dryer needs to be replaced (1990's dryer, but it's on its last legs despite my replacing everything).
@ai6yr my open question is whether to get just a heat pump dryer or replace the washer too and go with an all in one machine. It’s just me and my husband so we don’t do enough laundry that having two separate machines for parallel use is necessary. YMMV and all that.
@wordshaper Yeah, very good question! And really, it's not so much parallel use if you're bounded by one machine or the other. (except in my case, where I frequently wash my stuff and hang it outdoors on a line, and everyone else's stuff gets put in the dryer).
@ai6yr @djsundog I had a bosch for a long while. and my all-in-one now is heat pump based. the biggest recommendation I have is "check the airflow on the room where the unit will be held" and augment it if needed. We run a circulating fan to swap the exchanged air. But after a few loads, drying takes forever because the room warms up too much. but I adore my all-in-one and am glad we got the heat pump based variant.
@ai6yr How about an old electric dryer. The motor is probably 120v and you could use a heat gun like your coffee roaster.