June 13th, 2024 | 5 min. read
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Brain Teaser: Which came first?
- The American Civil War
- The invention of the heat pump
If you guessed the Civil War in 1861, you're mistaken. Heat pumps were actually invented in Austria in 1856.
Fast forward to 2024, and heat pumps are finally making their way into large dryers.
In this article, you'll discover the pros and cons of the new LG Heat Pump Dryer DLHC5502B and see how it stacks up against the LG WashCombo all-in-one washer-dryer.
By the end, you'll have a clear idea of whether this dryer or another option is the right fit for you.
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Heat Pump Dryers
Despite being invented in 1856, heat pumps were not widely adopted until the early 1970s. With the 1973 OPEC embargo, many manufacturers rediscovered the heat pump as a less expensive alternative for heating and cooling.
In 1997, Electrolux marketed the first compact heat pump dryer at 2.5 cubic feet. In 2018, Miele stopped producing condenser dryers and became the first manufacturer to market exclusively heat pump dryers.
In 2023, GE produced the first full-size washer-dryer heat pump, followed by LG and Samsung in 2024. Their full-sized heat pumps were 4.8-5.3 cubic feet.
LG was the first to market a full-size heat pump-only dryer at 7.8 cubic feet. Whirlpool introduced a heat pump dryer years ago, but it was not widely marketed.
Now, you'll learn why this technology is the future of dryers.
How a Heat Pump Works
Heat pumps use a compressor to heat the moisture through an air exchanger, with an evaporator removing the fluid.
This process recycles in a closed-loop system, making it more efficient.
Benefits of Heat Pump Dryers
Efficiency
Heat pumps recycle air with more efficient components compared to vented dryers.
Vented dryers pull air from the room towards heating elements, and then all that energy and heat is vented outside.
With high energy rates like those in Boston, you could easily save $150-$200 by using your dryer only once a day.
Ventless
You don't need to vent a heat pump, so now, any room can be your laundry room. Kids go away to college?
That closet or room can now be your laundry room because all you need is water, a drain, and 240-volt power.
By the way: Running the drain and water is difficult but can be done. Plus, you'll never have to worry about cleaning a vent again.
Gentler on Your Clothes
Heat pumps operate at lower temperatures, so there is less chance of shrinkage. You'll learn more in the problems part of the video.
ROI (Return on Investment)
The price of this dryer is $1,295 on sale, which is $200 more than a comparably featured vented dryer.
However, with its energy efficiency and lower operating costs, you'll save enough on your utility bills to make up the difference in less than two years.
No Lint Issues
You also don't have the possible lint issue with this dryer like you do with combo washers and dryers.
The washer eliminates most lint through the drain, while the dryer, like other dryers, has normal filters in the front.
Read More: Should You Buy a Heat Pump Dryer? Pros & Cons Explained
LG Heat Pump Dryer DLHC5502B: 2024 Review
Model and Specifications
Best Features of the LG DLHC5502B
Capacity
The capacity is 7.8 cubic feet, which is 2.5 cubic feet more than the next largest Samsung combo unit.
Most heat pump dryer-only units, like those from Bosch or Miele, are only compact at 2.5 cubic feet. So, it's huge by comparison.
23 Cycles, 11 Options
It's hard to believe our parents only had three cycles.
But you have 23, including specialty cycles for bedding, jackets, and outerwear, plus the AI capability of having the machine figure out the proper cycle.
You can also do a time dry only, up to three hours.
Problems
Reliability
Heat pumps are currently reliable in the smaller Bosch and Miele models. However, LG is new to the 7.8 cubic feet size, and with new products come possible service issues.
Quite frankly, our industry is not prepared to handle this because a specialized technician is needed for this dryer.
Lint Issue
You shouldn't have a lint issue, but if you don't clean the lint after every load, it will clog the exchanger, leading to an expensive service call.
Depth
You have to read page 13 of your manual or not. (I read it for you.) The listed depth is 32.25 inches:
But look at the height dimension—you need at least 5 inches of clearance for a total of 37.25 inches minimum.
So, check your space before buying.
Time
The other issue is time. Heat pumps take longer to dry than vented dryers.
Comparing the LG DLHC5502 Heat Pump Dryer and the LG WM6998HBA All-in-One Washer-Dryer
Dry Times
When comparing the LG DLHC5502 heat pump dryer to the LG WashCombo WM6998HBA, the washer and drying times for the heat pump dryer are less than the LG all-in-one.
Below are the drying times for both the LG DLHC5502 Heat Pump Dryer and the LG WM6998HBA All-in-One Washer-Dryer.
LG DLHC5502 Heat Pump Dryer Cycle Times
| Colors | Blankets/Sheets | Whites | Comforter | |
| Cycle Used | Normal | Bedding | Normal | Bedding |
| Time Indicated | 1 hr & 25 mins | 3 hrs & 12 mins | 1 hr & 45 mins | 3 hrs & 15 mins |
| Time Completed | 1 hr & 15 mins | 2 hrs & 36 mins | 1 hr & 38 mins | 2 hrs & 40 mins |
| Was It Dry? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Mostly |
| Notes | Washed 6 XL Men's T-shirts & 4 Beach Towels |
Washed a King Size Sheet Set & a King Size Blanket | Washed 8 Men's L Dress Shirts, 4 Beach Towels, & 8 Men's L T-Shirts | Washed a King Size Comforter |
LG WM6998HBA All-in-One Washer-Dryer Cycle Times
| Colors | Blankets/Sheets | Whites | Comforter | |
| Cycle Used | Wash & Dry | Wash & Dry | Wash & Dry | Wash & Dry |
| Time Indicated | 2 hrs & 19 mins | 3 hrs & 38 mins | 2 hrs & 19 mins | 2 hrs & 25 mins |
| Time Completed | 2 hrs & 17 mins | 3 hrs & 29 mins | 3 hrs & 8 mins | 2 hrs & 32 mins |
| Was It Dry? | Yes | Mostly | Yes | Mostly |
| Notes | Washed 6 XL Men's T-shirts & 4 Beach Towels |
Washed a King Size Sheet Set & a King Size Blanket | Washed 8 Men's L Dress Shirts, 4 Beach Towels, & 8 Men's L T-Shirts | Washed a King Size Comforter |
Capacity
The heat pump dryer has a much larger capacity at 7.8 cubic feet versus 5.0 cubic feet.
However, this isn't necessarily an advantage because the matching LG washer is just 5.0 cubic feet.
The benefit is that you can reload the washer after its complete cycle, rather than waiting for an all-in-one cycle to finish.
Convenience
The all-in-one combo has the advantage of not needing to transfer clothes from the washer to the dryer. Put your clothes in dirty, and they come out clean and dry.
Efficiency
The new LG heat pump dryer will allow you to wash and dry more clothes in a more reasonable time compared to what you are used to with your current vented dryer.
Should You Buy the Full-Size LG Heat Pump Dryer?
Hard to believe, I would call anything pre-Civil War new, but larger heat pumps are new in the industry.
This dryer is your safest choice among all the new laundry options recently introduced, like the combos.
Pros:
- Excellent capacity, features, and cost savings: Compared to a vented dryer, this model offers significant savings, especially if you do many loads daily.
- Reliability: It should work well and be reliable in the long term.
Cons:
- Drying time: Your clothes will take longer to dry, but not egregiously, like the combos.
In summary, the cost savings and efficiency of the LG Heat Pump Dryer DLHC5502 make it a compelling choice, especially for those who do many loads daily.
Hopefully, it will prove to be a reliable addition to your laundry room.
Additional Resources
Download our Yale Washer & Dryer Buying Guide with all the features, terms, and brands of laundry. Over 1.5 million people have already found answers in a Yale guide.
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