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353 points dmazin | 10 comments | 09 Jul 25 12:31 UTC | HN request time: 0s | source | bottom
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Animats ◴[10 Jul 25 07:45 UTC] No.44518398[source]▶
"Last year, for the third year straight, heat pumps outsold furnaces in the U.S."

Now that's a major development not mentioned much.

Heat pumps have both improved quite a bit, and become cheaper due to sheer volume.

replies(1): >>44519127 #
1. matwood ◴[10 Jul 25 09:41 UTC] No.44519127[source]▶
I recently bought a heat pump dryer and it's pretty cool. No exhaust vent, just water drain. It also doesn't need the heavy duty power plug since it pulls so much less electricity than a typical heated air dryer.
replies(3): >>44519200 #>>44519535 #>>44524521 #
2. pjc50 ◴[10 Jul 25 09:52 UTC] No.44519200[source]▶
Ah of course - it can recycle the heat. Hot air going out a vent is wasted energy that you've paid for.
3. markus_zhang ◴[10 Jul 25 10:51 UTC] No.44519535[source]▶
I don’t know this thing exists. I need to take a look and maybe buy one when the current one breaks down. What brand did you purchase? Thanks.
replies(2): >>44521085 #>>44522624 #
4. matwood ◴[10 Jul 25 13:51 UTC] No.44521085[source]▶
I have an LG. They look to cost a premium in the US above heated air one. They also seem to be gentler on clothes since they pump in warm dry air vs. super heated air.
replies(1): >>44522972 #
5. jpk2f2 ◴[10 Jul 25 16:15 UTC] No.44522624[source]▶
I used to have a Bloomberg heat pump dryer when I lived in a historical apartment. I was fairly happy with it, only real downsides was that it did take longer to dry compared to my prior electric and gas dryers, it tended to pickup a musty smell, and it was relatively complex and difficult to repair compared to a simpler dryer (had some minor failures over the years). Upside was the efficiency and not needing an exterior exhaust.

Been a number of years since then, so I'm sure they've improved even more and are hopefully somewhat cheaper.

6. zitsarethecure ◴[10 Jul 25 16:49 UTC] No.44522972{3}[source]▶
Out of curiosity, is it a "smart" appliance that requires an app to function?
replies(3): >>44523310 #>>44524002 #>>44524809 #
7. neon_electro ◴[10 Jul 25 17:26 UTC] No.44523310{4}[source]▶
I have an LG heat pump dryer as well, it doesn't require the app to function as far as I understand.
8. cryzinger ◴[10 Jul 25 18:25 UTC] No.44524002{4}[source]▶
I have an LG washer/dryer (not the cool new heat pump dryer, though) and both have "smart" features that are optional and non-intrusive. You don't have to hook up either appliance to the LG app, but if you do you can get push notifications when a cycle is complete or use it to run diagnostics as needed. Honestly one of the few times where I think smart connectivity is a net benefit and not a reason to steer clear.
9. fhdkweig ◴[10 Jul 25 19:18 UTC] No.44524521[source]▶
Technology Connections did a video on heat pump dryers.

https://youtu.be/zheQKmAT_a0?t=930

10. matwood ◴[10 Jul 25 19:54 UTC] No.44524809{4}[source]▶
I think there’s an app to do app things but I’ve never used it.