Whirlpool Launches Hybrid Heat Pump Dryer

Whirlpool Corp. unveiled a dryer with hybrid heat pump technology, designed to regenerate energy during the drying cycle to reduce energy consumption while providing dryer speed and performance flexibility. 

Typical dryers use large amounts of energy when venting hot, moist air. The Whirlpool-brand HybridCare dryer is a ventless heat pump dryer that uses a refrigeration system to dry and recycle the same air. The technology employs sensors to manage energy consumption and temperature.

There are three operational modes. Speed mode is used when the consumer wants faster dry. Eco mode is used to optimizing energy efficiency. Balanced mode blends the performance of Speed and Eco.

Whirlpool said its technology has the capability to use less heat than vented dryers. The ventless dryer technology will allow consumers in North America to reduce their carbon footprint and reduce the wasted energy attributed to dryers.

Whirlpool will begin shipping units to select U.S. markets in Q4 2014. It will expand to other U.S. markets and Canada in early 2015.

The dryer launch comes on the heels of Whirlpool’s launch of the first Energy Star-certified electric dryer.