Laundry facilities have always proved to be a challenge in multifamily dwellings. Including in-unit washers and dryers adds to the expense of building and development. Meanwhile, common laundry facilities experience more wear and tear and become a consistent maintenance demand. Now, that problem is in the past.
As sustainable housing becomes an increasingly desirable option for residents across the country, it will be necessary for builders and remodelers to install appliances that make limiting water and energy usage more feasible. Ventless dryers are one such machine that can contribute to this process, specifically in dwellings in which conserving resources is a more complicated equation, such as apartments, condos, and townhomes.
While ventless dryers have been popular in Europe for years, they currently make up only about 2% of dryers in the U.S. Yet, the more common vented dryers are often costly and impractical to install in high-occupancy residences. Ventless innovations such as the Whirlpool® HybridCare™ Heat Pump Dryer, use up to 73% less energy when compared to vented dryers1.
Ventless dryers like the Whirlpool® HybridCare™ Heat Pump Dryer can adapt to the needs of many dwelling sizes and can even fit in closets and other storage areas. Builders can find the appliance to meet the specific needs of any project. The result is a win-win for industry pros and residents alike—a practical, environmentally friendly solution to a common problem.
With the increasing cost of energy, home buyers and renters will expect sustainable, energy-efficient appliances to help curb day-to-day costs. Developers and designers can cater to that lifestyle with ventless dryers and other green appliances.
From a design perspective, ventless dryers provide more locations to store laundry appliances within a single or multifamily residence and eliminate the need for a traditional laundry room. For example, the award-winning Whirlpool® Closet Depth Front Load Washer and HybridCare™ Heat Pump Dryer are designed to comfortably fit within closets and other storage areas2.
More important, Whirlpool ventless dryers require only a power outlet, making it possible to easily turn unused space in a residence into a laundry area. This can be particularly beneficial for remodelers who need to find space for laundry facilities.
Ventless dryers allow builders and building owners to confidently address resident inquiries about energy usage and sustainability. Environmentally friendly home attributes are particularly a priority for millennial home buyers. Laundry appliances are a significant part of this equation. Whirlpool ventless dryers and paired washers also meet the new sustainability standards announced by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers in June 2016.
Though ventless technology is only just emerging in the U.S., worldwide it has already made a positive impact on the environment. Resident expectations are evolving. In redeveloping aging urban landscapes and updating multifamily dwellings, ventless technology is the next frontier of laundry appliances.
1 Compared with pre-2004 traditional dryers, when paired with a matching washer, normal cycle, electric only.
2 Designed to fit a 33-inch depth.
