LG dryer earns Energy Star Emerging Technology Award

In advance of new federal efficiency standards for dryers set to take effect in 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has handed the 2014 Energy Star Emerging Technology Award over to LG Electronics for its new EcoHybrid Heat Pump Dryer.

The EcoHybrid is described as the first dryer with heat pump technology to hit the market in the U.S., meaning it captures and recycles energy that's generated during the drying cycle. This translates to up to 50% more energy savings, according to third-party testing.

"We applaud LG for being the first to offer a heat pump dryer for sale in North America," said Ann Bailey, director of Energy Star Products at EPA. "This super-efficient, cutting-edge technology has the potential to save significant amounts of energy and C02 emissions."

The EcoHybrid also features LG TrueSteam technology, Smart Diagnosis technology for automatic troubleshooting, 7.3 cubic feet of space, 

"Moving the market to heat pump clothes dryers has the potential to provide consumers with a new level of laundry performance while delivering significant energy savings," said Jeff Harris, director technology and market strategy, Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA). "NEEA is looking forward to working with innovators like LG to help advance dryer energy efficiency and bring those savings home."