Gas Tumble Drier...

MWT

Since the suggestion that this is a viable option for reducing energy costs comes up, not infrequently, I decided to give the option a closer look.

Rather than hijack other threads where the suggestion has been made,I've posted here in its own thread.

The problem I've come up against is that it seems they are no longer available to buy new...

The company that produced the only one available in the UK, White Knight, seems to have stopped manufacturing last year.

None of the major white-goods suppliers seem to have them in stock any more and the very few places I can still find one, list it as 'discontinued'.

So are they now officially finished as an alternative option?

I was looking to see what their 'official' energy consumption figures were and while there are some details on the White Knight website the product itself has gone from there as well.

Anyone have any information to add to this?

wakeupalarm

Maybe there will no longer be a market demand for these types of products with Gas heating being banned in 2025.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-47559920

MWT

... before we get diverted off-topic, that is a ban on fitting gas heating in new-builds (and they can still have gas hobs), not on existing houses.

Agreed though, this certainly won't help sales of gas driers.

wakeupalarm

The cost of having gas installed to houses that don't already have gas installed is in the several thousands pounds range.  I don't see much demand for gas tumble dryers if in addition to the higher costs of the appliances, you also have to pay several thousand pounds to get a gas supply for which you can not then use to heat your home.  It won't make any economic sense.
The one manufacturer that you mentioned White Knight may have also come to the same conclusion and decided to exit the market rather than have to support appliances that would be expensive to maintain.
Even for existing homes with gas installed, will it be economically viable if the gas market declines due to the switch to electric.
The market seems to be moving towards electric for comsumers rather than fossil fuels, plenty of electric tumble dryers are available.

Gerry1

MWT said:

The problem I've come up against is that it seems they are no longer available to buy new...

The company that produced the only one available in the UK, White Knight, seems to have stopped manufacturing last year.

Anyone have any information to add to this?

Sadly, it seems that you're correct.

https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/business/crushing-blow-reaction-crosslee-announces-they-will-stop-manufacturing-hipperholme-plant-961998

I bought mine last November, so it looks like I was just in time !

Great shame, because they're so cheap to run, and very quiet as well. My previous one lasted 31 years, albeit with a few replacement thermostats that were cheap and easy to fit. Really surprised that domestic gas dryers have never been as common as gas boilers.

coffeehound

Might still be able to buy a big commercial one I suppose.

On a side note, why has no-one produced a domestic microwave assisted T/D?  Perhaps just safety.

Cardew

As stated(quote from WHICH) in the other thread, Heat pump dryers are cheaper to run than gas dryers and have dropped dramatically in price.

Highland76

Yep, gas tumble dryers are soooo yesterday...the latest heat pump dryers are very economical to run (many are A rated for energy consumption), though on the downside they do take longer to dry clothes - think as long as 2 hrs for a ful load. My 12 year old Miele tumble dryer (condensing) only takes an hour or so depending on load but its only 'B' rated for energy. Will definitely be replacing that with a heat pump Miele when the time comes but so far its working well. Can't beat a Miele appliance for longevity

Gerry1

Highland76 said:

...the latest heat pump dryers are very economical to run (many are A rated for energy consumption), though on the downside they do take longer to dry clothes - think as long as 2 hrs for a full load. My 12 year old Miele tumble dryer (condensing) only takes an hour or so depending on load but its only 'B' rated for energy. Can't beat a Miele appliance for longevity

My new gas tumble dryer is A+ rated ! 

A full load probably doesn't even take 40 minutes, often much less.  And my previous gas dryer lasted 31 years.  Hope this one does as well.

Highland76

And the top of range Miele heat pump tumble dryers are A+++ rated. Obviously not cheap...

Gerry1

Do heat pump dryers suck heat out of the room, making it colder and making the CH work harder?  Sounds like robbing Peter to pay Paul !