How to work out how much energy my tumble dryer uses

[Deleted User]

I have this model http://www.deals4u.co.uk/white-knight-84aw-now-replaced-by-b-rated-85aw-b-rated-vented-tumble-dryer-new-facia-styling.html

It used to be A rated, but know I have noticed it is classed as B. Anyway we have solar panels and are producing our own electricity every day, so I have started to relax about using the tumble dryer especially over the wetter weather.

I have looked through the paper work and looked online but I can't seem to find anywhere how much energy this model uses to run.

I am interested in finding out as despite having the solar panels our monthly electricity bill isnt coming down. Npower say they owe us nearly £160, but on the same letter say our DD is increasing by £3 per month. I am wondering if my tumble dryer use is responsible.

Any thoughts? I do find the gas and electricity statements hard to understand and also wattage on appliances so please bear with me.

Thanks.

Owain_Moneysaver

According to Amazon: Energy Consumption in kWh at 1400 RPM: 2.5 kWh

That means it uses 2.5 kWh or units for every hour you run it.

At a typical standard tariff of 12p a unit it will cost you 30p an hour to run.

Norman_Castle

These are good http://www.maplin.co.uk/plug-in-electricity-cost-and-usage-calculator-223573?c=maplin&utm_source=gcs&utm_medium=gcs_search&utm_campaign=N67FU&utm_content=Power+and+Energy+Monitors and are on offer at times.

Cardew

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

According to Amazon: Energy Consumption in kWh at 1400 RPM: 2.5 kWh

That means it uses 2.5 kWh or units for every hour you run it.

At a typical standard tariff of 12p a unit it will cost you 30p an hour to run.

At 1400 RPM that takes tumbling to a whole new level;) typical Amazon nonsense specification; obviously a washing machine.

Unfortunately for most appliances the kW rating is no indication of the cost to run.

For instance my washing machine is 3kW rated and it takes about 90 mins on most loads. However that is for the heater which is only on for a few minutes. So instead of 4.5kWh which 3kW x 1.5 hours would suggest, most programs are 0.4kWh or 0.6kWh.

As suggested above, the only way to measure the consumption of your dryer is with one of the monitors suggested above. The consumption will depend on the type and amount of clothing in the dryer; but dryers are one of the most expensive appliances to run.

You really need to have explained how to get the best use of your solar panels. As tumble dryers have heavy consumption the only time your panel will be producing sufficient electricity(depending on the size of your system) is on a sunny day around noon, and not during the wet weather when you use your dryer. When wet your panels will be producing very little electricity.

fluffpot

You could find a friend electrician who has a tester that measures Amps (current) - its often called a clamp meter. The get them to measure when you have the drier running and you can then very accurately calculate the costs (and see how much more or less current is used on different programmes)

Cardew

fluffpot wrote: »

You could find a friend electrician who has a tester that measures Amps (current) - its often called a clamp meter. The get them to measure when you have the drier running and you can then very accurately calculate the costs (and see how much more or less current is used on different programmes)

That won't work as the consumption varies throughout the cycle; a couple of minutes with heater on, then motor on, then combinations of both.

The device above that Norman Castle mentioned can cost as little as £6 and it will give an accurate cumlative consumption figure in kWh and on some models if you enter the price of electricity, it will tell you to a fraction of a penny the cost of that cycle.

diable

Why bother about it? Its a luxury item to be able to have clothes dried when its wet, damp and raining outside instead of hanging around inside the house.

Jaynne

diable wrote: »

Why bother about it? Its a luxury item to be able to have clothes dried when its wet, damp and raining outside instead of hanging around inside the house.

Do you not buy your kids toys because they're a luxury when they could just play with some sticks in the back garden?

Norman_Castle

diable wrote: »

Why bother about it? Its a luxury item to be able to have clothes dried when its wet, damp and raining outside instead of hanging around inside the house.

If you are know the cost of using it you can decide if its a luxury worth paying for.

Horseunderwater

I have 2 out of my 3 white goods with a time delay on them and run them during ec 7 off peak. And with the tumble dryer will sometimes switch it on after 1.30am as I am often still up at that time. Uses same Kw's but at a cheaper rate. So could you get a time delay plug if one not on TD and do that? And my new wash mach is 9kg weight load and has a useful 39 min program called the daily quick, which is ideal for clothing needing a wash, but not a long timed one. So I am using it far less then the 5kg one I had that failed 3 months back. And at the time Tesco online was over a £100 less than anyone else with free delivery. £249 in all. It only cost me £65 more than my 5kg one in 2005! And it is by Beko.

tesuhoha

We have a gas tumble dryer. When we bought it my husband worked out that it would cost 7p per drying cycle. I think the reason more people don't have them is that they have to be plumbed in and can be expensive but that doesn't apply in our case as my husband is a plumber.

Its a really good tumble dryer. I am very pleased with its performance.