tumble dryer A rated vs B rated

Highway

Hi,
I'm buying appliances for my new house, due to be completed in the next few months. Currently looking at an "A" rated tumble dryer which is not on sale in Ireland, but is in the North on special order. B rated are more readily available and about 200 Euro cheaper.

Any opinions on if the A rated is worth the bother of trying to get delivered, and the extra expense involved.

A rated: http://www.aeg-electrolux.co.uk/node146.asp?ProdID=3743
costing about €800.
B rated: http://www.aeg-electrolux.co.uk/node146.asp?ProdID=8006
about €615 in Harvey Norman.

I hear that A rated will become more common from next year, with more coming on stream, but I can't wait any longer.

Thanks,
Highway.

leeroybrown

The electricity usage for both appliances are listed - 2.4KWh for the T59800 and 3.36 KWh for the T57810. That effectively means that you should save almost one unit of electricity for every hour of use it gets.

If you have an idea of how much time it will be used for per week then you should be able to work out if it is cost effective to buy the 'A' rated one.

Do-more

Which magazine have reviewed this dryer.

http://www.which.co.uk/reports_and_campaigns/house_and_home/Reports/cleaning/Cleaning appliances/Tumble dryers/pp_excel_546_80144.jsp

You will need to sign up for the 30 day free trial to read it, but I am sure it will be worth the effort as their reviews are usually very good IMO.

Highway

Thanks for advice. The house will have underfloor heating, so because there are not radiators to put the odd item of clothing on, I reckon it may be used more than average. After quizzing my better half, this might average 2 hours a week over the year, which @ 12.73c/kwh = €13.24 saving over the B rated one.

If it costs about €200 more then the payback is 15 years at todays prices.
I subscribed to Which as suggested, and the review suggests that the 57810 is better in other important areas except energy. So I'm still divided! I am specing the house for the intended use of a wind turbine to supplement electricity usage in the future, so I'm very set on getting very energy efficient devices in the house.

Not sure what will swing the decision!
Thanks anyway,
Highway.

ircoha

Interesting post as the fuse requirement for the A class is only 6amp, as opposed to 13amp on the B class which suggests that the A class will only run at 1.2kw so the math could be different than posted re savings.

OP: would be interesting to see what which said about it, be aware of copyright issues:)

In passing, how are u dealing with the condensate?

Highway

Hi,
Sorry, only saw your post now. I've ordered the AEG T85900 and am due to get it next week. I've no particular method of dealing with the condensation, other than leave the window open a bit if necessary, but I understand it deals well with the condensation itself (i.e. collects it itself).

Highway