Please reccomend a decent but affordable condenser dryer

[richardc1983]

Needs to be about the £200 mark, have been looking at the Beko models as they come out with good reviews:

Seen this one:

http://www.ultimate-appliances.co.uk/beko-dcu8230-condenser-tumble-dryer-white.html

Would love the heat pump model http://www.ultimate-appliances.co.uk/beko-dpu8360w-heat-pump-condenser-tumble-dryer.html but I cant really afford the extra to be honest. Even though is only £95 difference. Is there much to be gained from the heat pump models in term off efficiency.

I am most dissapointed with the compact Indesit that has developed a fault and taking ages to dry a load.

 

[richardc1983]

Capacity

Also is it worth buying one with the largest capacity you can afford, difference between 8 & 9kg model is £20 so not much difference.

The larger the drum the more space the clothes have to rotate I think?

 

[super32]

I have to say Bosch.

 

[chestermikeuk]

Heat Pump.....

Hi Richard, get the larger drum, yes more room for the clothes to tumble and less creasing!!

If the difference is only £95 on your budget to getting a heat pump dryer, then wait until you can get it, the savings in electricity costs will be worth it,

 

[vacbear58]

Heat pump

Richard

I am with Mike on this one, go for the heat pump as it will pay for itself in no time. I got one a month ago (see link below) and I am very pleased with it indeed, lots of useful features and, so far, has performed very well. Bear in mind also that it should accomodate two full loads from your Hoover to fill it in one cycle, which will help reduce cost.

I bought mind on line from Ultimate Appliances - not very good reviews for them but I had no problems and there was not a lot of stock of them around a month ago. It should be better from next week (I was being quoted 4 weeks lead time a month ago) but you will need to move fast as they do not hang around! I paid £328 - delivery included.

By the way, if you should have off peak electricity, the Beko has a delay timer - yesterday I woke up to a dryer full or perfectly dried washing at a fraction of the normal cost

Al

http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?44592_37

 

[fido]

As I said in your other thread, I would go for the White Knight.

 

[richardc1983]

vacbear58

I have found the heat pump dryer for £315 including delivery! See link below.

Its an 8kg drum and approx £90 higher in budget than the standard heating element condenser dryer from Beko. The other two Beko dryers I was looking at are 8kg & 9kg with a difference in £20. Is there much difference in an 8kg & 9kg drum?

Given that my hoover is a 4kg drum 2 loads would fill the 8kg?

Enjoyed reading the post on the Beko heat pump dryer and the place I got the indesit from say they will refund me the cost of it.

http://www.ultimate-appliances.co.uk/beko-dpu8360w-heat-pump-condenser-tumble-dryer.html

 

[richardc1983]

So its rounded down to 3 models:

DCU 8230 8kg £209.90: http://www.sonicdirect.co.uk/Award-...ndenser-Tumble-Dryer-in-White-Sensor-B-Energy

DCU 9330W 9kg £229.94: http://www.sonicdirect.co.uk/Dryers...ndenser-Tumble-Dryer-in-White-Sensor-B-Energy

DCU 8360W 8kg heat pump @ £339.95:http://www.sonicdirect.co.uk/Dryers/Beko-DPU8360W-8kg-Condenser-Tumble-Dryer-in-White-Sensor-A

However found the heatpump dryer at £315 inc delivery here: http://www.ultimate-appliances.co.u...pump-condenser-tumble-dryer.html#product-tabs

So what do you think guys, which one do I go for? Always been wary of Beko but it looks a decent quality dryer.

 

[richardc1983]

4 hours left on the heat pump dryer at that price, I need to make a decision lol!

 

[chestermikeuk]

If your budget allows...

Get the heat pump model, you`ll save in energy costs and at the rate they are going up that could be quite a bit!!

 

[suds]

Richard...

...heat pump mate, Mike makes a valid comment about electricity and people often forget about the water used for a conventional condensor which if You are on a meter will end up costing too. The heat pump is kinder to your clothes and the environment.

Let us know!

B

 

[richardc1983]

Think will get the heat pump model then.

Is there much diff between 8&9kg drum size?

Also does the heat pump add much heat to the room.

 

[suds]

Heat pump...

I don't reckon there is any physical difference between the 8 & 9 kg, with the AEG's it's software fiddling, the capacities are identical (112L) so would not pay more for larger. There is some dry heat released into the room but its well within comfort levels and makes it smell nice

 

[vacbear58]

Richard

Thats where I got it from, its just a bit cheaper now.

The company reviews are not very good (I had no problem) so PAY FOR IT ON A CREDIT CARD so you can have extra protection if they screw up.

It does not add much heat at all to the room, less than my old Hotpoint.

Its the 8kg model which comes with heat pump, thats the one to get mate

Al

 

[richardc1983]

DONE

Placed the order on that website for the heat pump model, hope I have done the right thing...

I guess as it uses lower temperatures its better for clothes etc... does it actually take longer to dry clothes because of the lower temp? I guess the air is dryer as it removes the moisture from the air due to the refrigeration circuit?

Theres no space in the kitchen as the compact was in the cupboard under the counter so this is going to go in the cupboard in my bedroom (walk in wardrobe) that way can keep an eye on housemate who likes to have it running for many hours at a time.

 

[suds]

Welcome...

...to the heat pump club! Look forward to your reviews. I have found the drying times to be shorter, not massively though. Just keep the cupboard door open when you run it as it still needs some air.

B

 

[richardc1983]

The cupboard is a very cold cupboard so I imagine the warmth will do it good as all my clothes are hung in there and sometimes they feel very cold.

£315 vs the price of £120 for the compact is nearlly £195 more expensive so I hope it is worth it.

Several people and family are saying they would avoid Beko... I have heat pump air con in my house and that saves money so I think if they are well made machines and reliable then should be no issues.

Also more fire safe as they dont use heating elements.

 

[vacbear58]

Heat pump

Richard
It does use an element, but as it re-cycles the hot air the loading required can be lower. A full 8kg load would probably take about three hours set to cupboard dry with your 1100 Hoover, a bit less if you choose iron dry and a bit more if you choose extra dry. But dont forget that is equivalent to two loads from your Hoover.

i have used both iron and cupboard and they have been exactly as described, I have not used extra dry yet. Tangling appears to be much improved over my old Hotpoint and the clotes seem to be much less "fried" and harly any static at all - I do not use fabric softner nor dryer sheets. And, as I said you can use the delay start for night time operation - it tumbles the clothes occasionally both before the cycle and after the end so it is just a matter of a bit of organisation.

I am very satisified with mine, I am sure you will be too.

Al

 

[vacbear58]

Housemate

Richard,

Although you can use it in a similar way to conventional dryers (set the time and leave it) this does have programmed drying for different fabrics and circumstances. the instructions are pretty comprehensive on this so i suggest that you photocopy the relevant sheets and put them on the back of the cupboard door or something. Its simple enough as long as the instructions are followed. Like any drier it is most efficinet when running at or close to capacity so make sure they are not running it to dry one t shirt

 

[seamusuk]

Heat Pumps..

Hey Richard
You have made the right choice in my opinion as well. I was lucky enough to get a Miele at a REALLY good price and really cant fault it. It dries in roughly the same time as the Electrolux condenser it replaced did on low setting(always used that as I prefer not to bake clothes). It creases less and saves 40% on the electricity bill so whats not to like.
If I was buying on a budget I would have no hesitation in buying the Beko- it looks great for the ££
Seamus

 

[richardc1983]

Thanks guys. What's the power input then and why does it use an element if heat is generated from the air via the element?

 

[seamusuk]

Cant speak for the Beko...

Hey Richard
The Miele is rated at 1.5kw so much lower than a normal condenser
Seamus

 

[richardc1983]

According to the website where I bought it from under specs it says rated 2.68kwh

This perhaps means the output of the heat pump though. Not nessersary the input.

 

[richardc1983]

Took the indesit compact back to sonic yesterday. They tried to get me to buy one of the beko models I had listed as they didn't have the heat pump one in stock. I told them even if they still had it in stock they would have been more expensive than where I have purchased from.

Tried to do my fellas washing yesterday. 4 loads in the Hoover and was still trying to dry this morning over radiators! Put towels out yesterday at midday they were still wet at 8pm last night!!!

 

[vacbear58]

4 Loads!

Are you sure he is not taking in washing for the whole street! To be honest, if I had that much to dry I would take it to the launderette and dry it there.

Got a load in the Beko now:
Kingsize duvet
2 kingsize bottom sheets
4 pillow cases
12 T shirts
12 Underpants
About 12 handkerchief

I did this lot as two loads in the Miele (I might have pushed it as one load) - doing fine

Al

 

[richardc1983]

He has horses so is at stables twice a day so has two changes of clothes morning and evening then usual work stuff and clothes in between plus a couple of towels!

Here's his typical wash basket the first time I did it all!

 

[sesteve]

Blimey!!

I thought mine got through lots of washing even without the horses but I can see now why your door boot ends up groaning.

Great choice going for the heat pump. I bought a John Lewis heat pump dryer about 4/5 years ago and it's been great in terms of energy saving (I work in energy which is why I justified the expense and the reason for getting a dryer at the time as well having underfloor heating which meant no radiators).

The only downside of mine is that it is not so great at retaining all the moisture though but I'm sure the new machines are much better. I've noticed that I can put anything in the dryer too and it doesn't shrink or damage so it seems the lower temp helps.

Lets us know when you get it

Cheers
Stephen

 

[suds]

Steve..

...a fellow AEG fan

You say you have had a heat pump for about 5 years, how long have they been about? I was under the impression they were fairly new. Would like to see a pic of your John Lewis dryer. Their current range of laundry appliances are Electrolux/AEG sourced was it the same when you got yours?


B

 

[richardc1983]

Yes Stephen, 5 loads on the floor in piles and 1 in the washer already!

Saving all my washing up and just changed bedding and looking forward to the dryer arriving next week!

 

[sesteve]

Hi Richard

Well it will certainly be put through its paces and you should save a small fortune on the leccy bill!!

Hi Brendon

Yes this is basically an AEG model - they also had a heat pump dryer out at the same time and I think it was the first on the market. I think I got it in 2007 and it cost £500. I remember Which? reviewing it. Not sure if they went back to the drawing board for a while as I hadn't see it in the shops more recently. Still going strong but the fluff is beginning to build on the heat exchanger so might look to try a thorough clean in the summer.