Whirlpool announced the next step in its commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency. The new Whirlpool HybridCare clothes dryer WED99HED with hybrid heat pump technology is designed to regenerate energy during the drying cycle to reduce energy consumption while providing dryer speed and performance flexibility. Compared to typical dryers that use large amounts of energy in the form of venting hot, moist air, the HybridCare dryer is a ventless heat pump dryer that uses a refrigeration system to dry and recycle the same air. HybridCare technology uses advanced sensors tuned to manage energy consumption and temperature to deliver drying performance and energy savings. Three modes are available: Speed mode (used when consumer focus is on managing time), Eco mode (used when optimizing energy is the priority) and Balanced mode (blends the performance of Speed and Eco). As a ventless technology, HybridCare does not require an outside vent, allowing the consumer to install it in more locations throughout the home. 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 company is collaborating with organizations including the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA), an alliance of more than 140 Northwest utilities and energy efficiency organizations. “Whirlpool Corporation has been a great partner with us as we work together to advance dryer energy efficiency. Dryers are the next frontier for significant energy savings in the home, and innovations like the heat pump dryer are a key technology to unlocking these savings”, said Jeff Harris, Director, Technology and Market Strategy, NEEA.
