Field and Market Assessment of Heat Pump Clothes Dryers

Residential heat pump clothes dryers are a potentially significant advancement in clothes drying technology. Not only are they more energy-efficient than conventional electric dryers but they are ventless, which allows for flexibility in dryer location and can provide indirect space-conditioning benefits in heating-dominated climates. This study examined the features, performance, and consumer acceptance of heat pump clothes dryers as a potential addition to Minnesota Conservation Improvement Programs. The study focuses on two clothes dryer markets: (1) replacement of full-size clothes dryers in single-family homes; and (2) dryer selection for multifamily new construction.