Heat pumps are highly valued both for their flexibility and their energy efficiency. Heat pump clothes dryers (HPCDs) are now in the early stages of deployment in the United States. Drying clothes is a growing source of electric consumption in the U.S., accounting for an estimated 6% of all residential electricity use. HPCDs require more time to dry a load of clothing than traditional dryers, but use 50% to 60% less energy. An additional benefit of HPCDs is their lower instantaneous power demand.

HPCDs have met with great success in Europe. In 2011, 47% of all dryers sold in Switzerland were HPCD, and 2012 regulations require that only HPCDs be sold in Switzerland. HPCDs are listed on the popular European "Topten" website, making it easy for consumers to find and compare models. In contrast, HPCDs have very poor availability within the U.S. ENERGY STAR is in the process of releasing the first list of ENERGY STAR-qualified HPCD models, which is expected to increase consumer acceptance and availability of this technology within the U.S.

A 2010 ACEEE study estimated that only 6% of all U.S. households run their clothes dryers often enough to see a cost benefit from a HPCD. The study noted that this estimate is sensitive to both the price of electricity and the first cost of the HPCD. The higher electricity costs in Europe may partly account for the enthusiasm of European customers for these more expensive – but more energy efficient – HPCDs.

The California Energy Commission conducted a market assessment of commercial clothes dryers within their state.  They surveyed three distinct sectors: multi-family, coin-operated laundromats, and on-premise dryers used in hotels, motels, hospitals and various institutions.  The number of 18 lb. capacity and 30 lb. capacity dryer units is estimated at 371,000.  Prorating by population for the Northwest (4% of U.S. population versus 11.75%) indicates a Northwest dryer population of 0.34 x 371,000 units or 126,000 commercial dryers (Zhang, 2011).