Who's bought a heat pump tumble dryer?
Discussion
We've been trying not to use our tumble dryer this year to save energy but having 2 young kids and dropping the heating to 18C means that we are struggling to get everything dried.
I was debating pulling the tumble dryer apart to clean it up (it needs the bearings replacing anyway) to see if it would increase efficiency, until I realised that we bought it when we moved into our first house and that means it's about 22 years old!
I'm wondering now if it's worth investing in a heat pump dryer but I'm not sure what the savings will look like vs our 2000 Creda T420CW condensing dryer?
I was debating pulling the tumble dryer apart to clean it up (it needs the bearings replacing anyway) to see if it would increase efficiency, until I realised that we bought it when we moved into our first house and that means it's about 22 years old!
I'm wondering now if it's worth investing in a heat pump dryer but I'm not sure what the savings will look like vs our 2000 Creda T420CW condensing dryer?
We bought one when our old tumble drier died. It's pretty good in terms of energy consumption per load, but it does take significantly longer to dry clothes.
I don't think I'd replace a perfectly working condenser unit with a heat pump one, the time to recoup the purchase cost would be enormous, but I'd certainly go heat pump if I had to buy a new one anyway. So I guess it depends on how much time and effort you're willing to put into fixing your existing machine.
I did work out the difference in electricity consumption but it was a while ago... I think the heat pump unit was using about 2/5ths of the energy per load of the our old condenser unit; it takes roughly 50% longer to dry clothes.
I don't think I'd replace a perfectly working condenser unit with a heat pump one, the time to recoup the purchase cost would be enormous, but I'd certainly go heat pump if I had to buy a new one anyway. So I guess it depends on how much time and effort you're willing to put into fixing your existing machine.
I did work out the difference in electricity consumption but it was a while ago... I think the heat pump unit was using about 2/5ths of the energy per load of the our old condenser unit; it takes roughly 50% longer to dry clothes.
Edited by kambites on Thursday 17th November 14:59
MrBig said:
We've been trying not to use our tumble dryer this year to save energy but having 2 young kids and dropping the heating to 18C means that we are struggling to get everything dried.
I was debating pulling the tumble dryer apart to clean it up (it needs the bearings replacing anyway) to see if it would increase efficiency, until I realised that we bought it when we moved into our first house and that means it's about 22 years old!
I'm wondering now if it's worth investing in a heat pump dryer but I'm not sure what the savings will look like vs our 2000 Creda T420CW condensing dryer?
I think unless you measure how much energy your machine uses on a cycle (e.g. averaged over 10 cycles), it will be impossible to compare?I was debating pulling the tumble dryer apart to clean it up (it needs the bearings replacing anyway) to see if it would increase efficiency, until I realised that we bought it when we moved into our first house and that means it's about 22 years old!
I'm wondering now if it's worth investing in a heat pump dryer but I'm not sure what the savings will look like vs our 2000 Creda T420CW condensing dryer?
I bought this Beko recently: https://www.beko.co.uk/8kg-tumble-dryer-steamcure-...
Happy with it so far. I am probably not using the full capacity each time but energy consumption seems to be about 1kwh per load. If I'd spent a bit more I could probably have taken that down another 20% or so.
Yes it's slow, but I don't find it as bad as the specs suggest - ie, if its nominally a 3h cycle it's often 2-2.5hr which probably ties in with me not filling it each time.
Happy with it so far. I am probably not using the full capacity each time but energy consumption seems to be about 1kwh per load. If I'd spent a bit more I could probably have taken that down another 20% or so.
Yes it's slow, but I don't find it as bad as the specs suggest - ie, if its nominally a 3h cycle it's often 2-2.5hr which probably ties in with me not filling it each time.
Link below for an energy comparison site. I was looking recently as our old hotpoint condenser is on its way out. I think the bearings are shot but it is 10 years old and has been repaired a couple of times, it was only a few hundred quid new.
https://www.sust-it.net/energy-saving/tumble-dryer...
The most efficient (and expensive) Miele dryer costs £36 a year to run compared to cheapest and least efficient about £150 a year. The sweet spot seems to be spending £500 and £50 a year to run.
Even if the new dryer does save £100 a year vs your old model, its still a 5 year pay back. But if you need a new dryer now, it certainly makes sense to buy a more efficient one instead of the cheapest model.
https://www.sust-it.net/energy-saving/tumble-dryer...
The most efficient (and expensive) Miele dryer costs £36 a year to run compared to cheapest and least efficient about £150 a year. The sweet spot seems to be spending £500 and £50 a year to run.
Even if the new dryer does save £100 a year vs your old model, its still a 5 year pay back. But if you need a new dryer now, it certainly makes sense to buy a more efficient one instead of the cheapest model.
biggiles said:
I think unless you measure how much energy your machine uses on a cycle (e.g. averaged over 10 cycles), it will be impossible to compare?
Unfortunately, its so old that I can't find any specs for it online otherwise that would be an easy calculation. I have no idea whether all condensing tumble dryers have similar levels on energy consumption.I bought a heat pump tumble dryer in September and it works out way, way cheaper for me to use it and RoI is quite quick for my own reasons.
My old condensing TD (CTD) didn't have a timed setting and I'd be reluctant to use it during the night with a timer (or smart button pushing device).
With my new Octopus GO tariff at 7.5 at night and 40p during the day the heat pump makes a lot more sense. Plus, without wirelessly connected smoke alarms I'm much happier using it it at night.
So, what does that mean?
Well the CTD is about 4.5kWh per cycle. That's £1.80 a cycle. But the HP can be as little as 11p. A £1.69 difference.
I sold the old tumble dryer for £40 and bought the new for £429. £389 divided by £1.69 is 230 cycles. 4 cycles a week, that's just 57 weeks to break even.
And yes, it's slow, but running overnight I don't care.
My old condensing TD (CTD) didn't have a timed setting and I'd be reluctant to use it during the night with a timer (or smart button pushing device).
With my new Octopus GO tariff at 7.5 at night and 40p during the day the heat pump makes a lot more sense. Plus, without wirelessly connected smoke alarms I'm much happier using it it at night.
So, what does that mean?
Well the CTD is about 4.5kWh per cycle. That's £1.80 a cycle. But the HP can be as little as 11p. A £1.69 difference.
I sold the old tumble dryer for £40 and bought the new for £429. £389 divided by £1.69 is 230 cycles. 4 cycles a week, that's just 57 weeks to break even.
And yes, it's slow, but running overnight I don't care.
MrBig said:
biggiles said:
I think unless you measure how much energy your machine uses on a cycle (e.g. averaged over 10 cycles), it will be impossible to compare?
Unfortunately, its so old that I can't find any specs for it online otherwise that would be an easy calculation. I have no idea whether all condensing tumble dryers have similar levels on energy consumption.https://www.amazon.co.uk/IWILCS-Electricity-Backli...
I just looked on the app and our Samsung one uses 0.8kw on average to dry a full load of clothes. We ram it full and they come out dry when it plays a tune at us, got 25% off of it buying it online at Currys through Quidco. It's silver and has a black door and matches the washing machine that we bought at the same time 6 months ago. That's the depth of my knowledge
Just getting used to our new HP dryer, still got the vented one.
Going to stack the vented one on top of the HP one vent hose allowing.
First thoughts the HP when running the smart meter hardly moves, unlike the vented that sees the dial in the red or yellow!
It needs the filters cleaning & tank emptied every cycle for best performance, but so far none of the horror stories read on the customer reviews of other makes about soaking wet after cycles.
Went for a brand never considered before, Haier 9kg, A+++ too many features including control via phone!
The yearly energy usage quoted above is not what normal families see, our dryer is running several times a week & nearly all weekend so the savings should easily pay back.
Going to stack the vented one on top of the HP one vent hose allowing.
First thoughts the HP when running the smart meter hardly moves, unlike the vented that sees the dial in the red or yellow!
It needs the filters cleaning & tank emptied every cycle for best performance, but so far none of the horror stories read on the customer reviews of other makes about soaking wet after cycles.
Went for a brand never considered before, Haier 9kg, A+++ too many features including control via phone!
The yearly energy usage quoted above is not what normal families see, our dryer is running several times a week & nearly all weekend so the savings should easily pay back.
g40steve said:
It needs tank emptied every cycle for best performance.
Have a look and see if you can get a drain kit for yours. Its a piece of pipe that connects the dryer to the drain that the washing machine uses. Then you never have to empty it because it will pump its self out automatically.BobSaunders said:
Can’t load them up with clothes like traditional dryers. Took 8 hours+ for a load to dry the other day with at least 2-3 cycles.
I find that you have to double spin the washing machine to get excess water out first helps.
Bosch dryer.
Something is wrong there mate, it should be about 3 hours or less and the clothes will be dry. Perhaps you are over filling it? I would contact Bosch if you cant get it working properly. Basically its either broken or you have crammed far to much in there.I find that you have to double spin the washing machine to get excess water out first helps.
Bosch dryer.
Chainsaw Rebuild said:
Have a look and see if you can get a drain kit for yours. Its a piece of pipe that connects the dryer to the drain that the washing machine uses. Then you never have to empty it because it will pump its self out automatically.
The dryers are in a large storage cupboard & no drain nearby, I have got the drain extension pipe so might look at at container that’s easier to empty?A big addition is the sensor drying, most cycles start off long but within minutes adjust.
It has a quick 30 min program that dried a double bedsheet & two pillow cases.
It’s running now with a load of bath towels!
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