Solar Washer and Dryer
While a solar powered clothes dryer has been around for centuries – in one form or another – a solar powered washer and dryer runs on solar electricity and can save you money.
Miele & Solvis offers a new SmartGrid-ready washer and dryer. Not only do these appliances run on solar power, but the SmartGrid can help pinpoint the cheapest times of day to run on grid-based power when the sun is not shining!
The solar powered washer and dryer are characterized by these main points:
- Convenience
- Ability to determine the least expensive electricity rates and then start washer and dyers when the cost is at its lowest
- Solar power usage
Heat for the solar powered dryers is generated by solar-thermal collectors, which are usually used for solar hot water. Unlike solar electricity, the collectors involve a freeze-protected fluid, which transfers thermal heat from the sun to water. A storage tank is connected to the dryer with 4 pipes: solar heated water is transferred to the dryer which then heats up the air in the tumbler. Cool water is then piped back to the heating system. Once heated again, it goes back to the tumbler and its heat is used to remove water from clothes. This process continues, till the time all the clothes in the tumbler are dried. The best part of the system is that is makes use of less water, since water is recycled every time it is used to dry clothes. Because the system uses solar heat to heat water, energy is saved which further reduces the carbon footprint.
The solar powered washer and dryer uses conventional sources of electricity during cold winter months. Yet, the system’s designers claim that the machine can cut operating costs up to 50% compared to a conventional dryer and will offer an 80% reduction compared to standard condenser dryers.
Tags: solar electricity, solar hot water, solar power, solar powered clothes dryer, solar powered washer and dryer, solar thermal panels
