Closeup on a heat pump dryer against a peach-colored wall in a home

Heat pump dryers are an energy-efficient option compared to their conventional counterparts. These dryers discharge hot and humid air through an evaporator to eliminate moisture without losing heat. 

However, finding a suitable location to install these dryers can be daunting as they need sufficient space with minimal obstruction.

This article will discuss the various rooms to install a heat pump dryer at home and what to consider during the installation.

We’ll also cover how a heat pump dryer works to help you understand the machine. So keep reading!

Where in the Home Can You Install a Heat Pump Dryer?

You can install a heat pump dryer in the laundry room, kitchen, or garage. In most cases, these places have the sufficient space necessary for the optimal function of a heat pump dryer.

A key concern is to ensure the dryer is not close to objects that can be destroyed by heat.

Let’s consider installation in each of these locations individually.

Installing a Heat Pump Dryer in the Laundry Room

The laundry room is the most suitable place to install a heat pump dryer. 

A few reasons for this include:

  • The laundry room is typically located near an exterior wall – this is important because the dryer needs draining. Unlike vented dryers, Cool Blue says that heat pump dryers collect water in the reservoir, which must be emptied by connecting it to the water drain.
    Connecting the dryer’s drain hose to the water drain is easier if it’s close to an exterior wall.
  • It usually has less obstruction – the dryer needs minimal obstruction for the refrigerant to remain level and stable. Maintaining the refrigerant level facilitates circulation throughout the machine for efficient drying.
  • The laundry room is typically spacious – you don’t want your dryer blocking the doorway or taking up too much space in a small room. A laundry room is also big enough to store other laundry utilities like your washer, ironing board, and laundry baskets.

Considerations for Installing Heat Pump Dryers in the Laundry Room

Installing a heat pump dryer in a laundry room is not just a matter of placing the machine anywhere. You must ensure it’s strategically positioned to serve your family better. 

Some of the factors to consider for a well-positioned dryer in the laundry room include:

  • The location of the electrical outlet – the dryer needs to be plugged into an electrical outlet, so you must choose a location near one.
  • The proximity to the washer – you don’t want to carry your wet clothes too far to get to the dryer. If possible, position the dryer close to the washing machine.
  • The proximity to a window – you can open a window when using the dryer if your laundry room doesn’t have good ventilation, which will help circulate fresh air and prevent lint buildup.

Installing a Heat Pump Dryer in the Kitchen

A homeowner inspects a piece of clothing as she removes it from the heat pump dryer in her kitchen

Another suitable place for your heat pump dryer is the kitchen.

The kitchen has a water drain that makes connecting to the dryer’s hose pipe easier to empty the tank when it fills up. In addition, it usually has enough space to store the dryer.

Considerations for Heat Pump Dryer Installation in a Kitchen

  • The proximity to water sources – you don’t want your dryer too close to the sink or dishwasher. Unfortunately, water and electricity don’t mix well, which can be a recipe for an electric shock.
  • Distance from the oven – the dryer should not be too close to the oven because it can overheat. The heat from the dryer can also affect the food in the oven and make it taste strange.
  • The proximity to the refrigerator, it’s not advisable to place a heat pump dryer closer to a fridge or freeze. The heat will interfere with the functioning of the refrigerator by tampering with the cold air inside. As a result, these devices will work extra hard to maintain their efficacy—if these household appliances work harder, they use excessive power, which means more bills.
  • Safety: If you have children in the house, you must take extra precautions to childproof the area around the dryer. Measures include unplugging and storing the cord out of reach and installing a child safety lock on the door. Heat pump dryers get hot and can cause serious burns if children touch them.

Installing a Heat Pump in the Garage

It’s possible to have a full house with no extra space for your new heat pump dryer. If this is the case, the next best place to install it is the garage.

A garage is a suitable home for your heat pump dryer because it’s typically outside your living quarters.

Therefore, you don’t have to worry about the dryer’s noise while in use.

Additionally, the garage is generally well-ventilated since it has an exterior door that can be opened when you’re using the dryer. You can also use the door out to drain the tank.

A homeowner installing a heat pump dryer in his garage

Distance is the main downside of installing a heat pump dryer in the garage. In most cases, garages are located at the back of the house, so you may have to carry your wet clothes a long way to reach the dryer.

Considerations for Installing a Heat Pump Dryer in the Garage

Installing your heat pump dryer in the garage comes with a few considerations, including:

  • The proximity to the car – you don’t want your dryer too close to the car because the heat and vibration can damage it.
  • The proximity to chemicals and paint – if you have any chemicals or paint in the garage, you must keep them away from the dryer. The heat from the dryer can cause a chemical reaction that can be dangerous.
  • Distance from the gas meter – the dryer should not be too close to the gas meter. The heat from the dryer can interfere with its functioning.
  • Power source location – the dryer must be close to a power source. If the dryer is too far, you’ll have to use an extension cord. However, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission warns that using an extension cord with a dryer can be a fire hazard as it can overheat and explode.

The Working of a Heat Pump Dryer

Unlike electric dryers, a heat pump dryer doesn’t use electricity to power the heating element. Instead, it uses a refrigerant to catch the hot air from the clothes and pump it outside.

The hot air is then condensed and used to heat the next batch of clothes. This process is repeated until all the clothes are dry.

There are a few things to keep in mind when using a heat pump dryer, including:

  • You should only use it for small loads – if you try to dry a large load of clothes, it will take a long time because the dryer has to work harder to pump out all the hot air.
  • The dryer should be drained – heat pump dryers don’t need venting like their conventional counterparts. Instead, they need emptying. This requirement means you must have a drain line connected to the dryer. The drain line can be connected to a floor drain, sink, or laundry tub.
  • The dryer should be level – heat pump dryers must be level so the refrigerant can flow properly. If the dryer is not level, the refrigerant will leak, and the dryer will not work correctly.
  • You should clean the filter – The filter must be cleaned regularly to prevent it from getting clogged. A clogged filter can cause the dryer to overheat and break down.
A full filter sitting atop a heat pump dryer

Factors To Consider When Choosing a Location for Your Heat Pump Dryer

Installing your dryer in the right location will make it efficient and increase its lifespan. Therefore, selecting an area that won’t be a problem in the future is crucial.

Some factors to consider when choosing a spot for your heat pump dryer include:

  • Proximity to an exterior wall – the dryer must be close to an outer wall to make it easier to connect the drain hose to a water drain in the house. You must drain the in-built water tank after two to three drying rounds to prevent reverse tumbling and damaging the dryer.
  • Proximity to a power source – the dryer must be close to a power source, so you don’t have to use an extension cord.
  • Proximity to a drain – the dryer must be close to a water drain so you can easily connect the drain hose.
  • Clearance around the dryer – there should be a clearance of at least four inches (0.33 feet) on all sides to ensure proper airflow.
  • The room’s size – square footage is crucial when choosing where to install your heat pump dryer – you don’t want to install the dryer somewhere with heavy traffic as the obstruction can disturb the refrigerant. When this happens, the refrigerant will not circulate as expected, reducing the dryer’s efficiency.
  • Ventilation — Proper ventilation is essential for heat pump dryers to operate efficiently. These dryers need access to ambient air for cooling.
  • Ambient temperature range — Heat pump dryers operate best within the 5 and 35℃ (41 and 95℉) range. Extreme cold or hot temperatures outside this range will affect the dryer’s ability to dry clothes efficiently.
  • Surface — The surface must be level to ensure the machine is balanced and prevent excessive vibrations.

Benefits of Heat Pump Dryers

  • Energy-efficiency – heat pump dryers are energy-efficient compared to their conventional counterparts. According to Energy Star, these dryers save between 40 and 50% electricity compared to conventional ones. Therefore, they save you some money on power bills.
  • Durability – these units are durable as they don’t have many moving parts. This means that fewer things can break down or wear out over time.
  • Lower emissions – heat pump dryers emit lower levels of greenhouse gasses than electric dryers because they don’t use much electricity to power the heating element.
  • Ease of use – heat pump dryers are easy to use as they come with clear instructions. Most also have a control panel that is easy to understand and use.

Final Thoughts

A suitable room to install your heat pump dryer is one with a water drain and sufficient space. 

Unlike conventional dryers, heat pump dryers need draining to remove the water stored in the in-built tank. Leaving excessive water in the tank exposes your dryer to reverse tumbling that can damage your dryer.

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