To not have known this about tumble dryers? (Fuel bill related)

[HinchcliffeandMurgatroyd]

Not terribly exciting subject , sorry. I’m quite excited about possibly saving £££s though.

I’ve just worked out that my (fairly new) condenser tumble dryer costs about £1.25 a cycle to run, despite the fact I’m on a less-bad fixed rate.

A good heat pump dryer would apparently cost ~50p per cycle.

So £500 now for a better machine would pay for itself in 10-24 months. Tempted.

I knew there was a difference but thought it was a small difference. It took me 15 minutes tracking down the performance data and doing the maths to come up with those numbers.

I use mine a lot due to dogs, dodgy spine etc. So that’s potentially a massive saving.

Did everyone else know the difference between condenser and heat pump dryers was so dramatic?

YANBU = I had no idea.
YABU = Doh, it’s common knowledge.

Until we bought our £500 heat pump tumble dryer I didn’t realise how good it is to run compared to our old condenser model. Buying a new cooker soon hoping that will be cheaper than our decades old one we’re using.

I bought a HP dryer, had to send it back as it has to be in a temperate room, if not it doesn't work.
So no it didn't work in my small back unheated room...

I have a newish condenser it is super quick to dry a full 9kg load is about 40 minutes

I might see if I can go as long as I can wearing the same thing in all seriousness. Be less fussy about dropped food etc. Get some fabreeze in.

Have you factored in the hours of ironing after using a spinner??

Condenser dryers are a complete waste of money they take ages to dry. I would never buy one!!

Condensers?

Depends on the model surely, the Miele ones are fantastic and super quick .

Yes!! Thank you. On Mumsnet you so often hear about drying clothes with a heated airer and dehumidifier. This uses the same energy as a heat pump dryer but takes up loads of space and effort.

Mine doesn't either. And I do overload it. Keeping the filter clean is essential. And yes, we did know. It was part of the purchase price calculation/negotiation

I have a heat pump one, and use it whenever I want, it’s made v little difference to my bills. It’s also a condenser one, takes around an hour, hour and a quarter to dry king size bedding set. Mine is a Bosch and I’d recommend it!

I have terrible hayfever and am allergic to an exciting range of pollens/spores so I never dry bedding/towels outside regardless of the weather.

Apparently you can’t have one if your utility is outside in the garage or an out house though?

@HinchcliffeandMurgatroyd we have this one and I love it.

Candy Smart CSEH8A2LE 8Kg Heat Pump Tumble Dryer - White - A++ Rated

@Bellie710 is it in a heated room? If not it doesn’t work

Thanks for this!!

I have a smeg heat pump dryer and I love it. It takes around 2.5 hours for a full load.

Yes, it’s in our plant room the warmest room in the house! We might just have a dodgy one but my vented dryer was so much better and quicker.

@Bellie710 sounds strange, though someone upthread said they don’t work during heatwave either, the temperature needs to be below 30 (I imagine most wouldn’t use the dryer when it’s 30 degrees anyway)

what brand is yours?

I only had experience with hotpoint condenser dryers, and the first one was brilliant (but broke after 3 years), and the second one is rubbish… so when I move I plan to leave it behind and now am interested in heat pump dryers…

@TooMuchToDoTooLittleInclination I fold the clothes before putting them into the spinner, then hang them to dry, it really reduces the creasing.

I really find Mumsnet taxing. I have adult children now, one with severe SEN. Why are you using dryers/dishwashers/slow cookers all these other unnecessary gadgets?? FGS I have a well paid job, as does my DH and we simply don't need or use these expensive extras. Were all you parents stinking rich or something? Underfloor heating for example. We have paid our dues, have bought our house outright and have no outstanding credit. We are happy with our low tech life. What are you doing?

What are you doing?

Working FT. Paying a lot of tax. Volunteering with people who are right up against it. Like most people. Fitting physio and surgery around that. Just life, you know?

I think you might have misunderstood the point and cost if slow cookers BTW. 😁

Low tech life? I suppose you're connecting to Mumsnet using pigeon carrier then?

What an odd post to make.

Yes, heard of both of these. But what can u do. I try to use my tumble dryer even less and less these days, and as long as you have the correct ventilation for it whether its indoors at your property with a flue going outside a window or inside a garage with the sealed box of ice packs, or an outbuiding then it's polluting the outside air and tht there is not a lot u can do about the situation afraid.

We have a five year old heat pump dryer. It takes around two hours I think to dry a full load but that's on its 'driest' setting. The sensor is really good and does stop when things are dry unlike cheaper condensers I've had previously. It is definitely slower that vented driers but not as slow as people think.