Bosch WTW86560GB heat pump dryer?

[tjunction]

I’m looking to buy a condenser dryer.

I’m quite attracted to the new heat pump type because of the relatively low energy use (for both environmental and financial reasons!). But I guess they are more complicated and more likely to go wrong.

I see at the moment though (via John Lewis website) that Bosch are offering £100 cashback and a 4 year guarantee on this model.

Can anyone recommend whether this (or another heat pump dryer) is a good buy or should I stick to a more traditional model?
(I’m likely to buy a ISE 1607W washer, though I’m not sure if the matching ISE dryer provides as good value?)

Thanks

[kwatt]

Re: Bosch WTW86560GB heat pump dryer?

Heat pump dryers are a good buy but, only if you do a lot of drying.

If you don’t they’re not worth the extra money. You’d never recoup the extra cost over an equivalent condenser or vented dryer to make it worth the additional cost.

A bit more on it here:

http://www.ukwhitegoods.co.uk/help/buyi … guide.html

What the reliability on them are like I can’t say, the models that are out there aren’t common enough to make a call on it with any authority yet.

HTH

K.

[Martin]

Re: Bosch WTW86560GB heat pump dryer?

tjunction wrote:I see at the moment though (via John Lewis website) that Bosch are offering £100 cashback and a 4 year guarantee on this model.

Just as well because it can be very very costly to repair without such a guarantee. The heat pump alone costs over £160 should it fail, add fitting costs and you won’t get much change out of £250. So when the guarantee does run out be sure to take on an annual policy.

The other consideration is the regular and necessary maintenance involved with this type of dryer. Cleaning the lint filter, emptying the water tanks, cleaning the condenser…bl**dy nightmare to maintain in all honesty.

tjunction wrote:or should I stick to a more traditional model?

You’re getting the vibes here I hope? 😉

tjunction wrote:(I’m likely to buy a ISE 1607W washer, though I’m not sure if the matching ISE dryer provides as good value?)

I’m sure it does but I would suggest you contact a local ISE dealer for their advice. If there isn’t one in your immediate area you could have problems with maintenance and service though. Something also the bear in mind. 😉

[kwatt]

Re: Bosch WTW86560GB heat pump dryer?

Martin wrote: If there isn’t one in your immediate area you could have problems with maintenance and service though. Something also the bear in mind. 😉

I know that’s a non-issue in Leeds.

K.

[tjunction]

Re: Bosch WTW86560GB heat pump dryer?

Again thanks for the useful advice, and the link.

You’re right I probably don’t do enough drying to make the energy savings of the heat pump type economically or environmentally worth it (in summer I try to dry outside where possible…).

Does the same logic apply to cheap dryers as cheap washers, i.e. a £200 one is likely to be badly made and break in short order being uneconomic to repair? Aren’t dryers mechanically a lot simpler than washers? I can definitely see the advantages of buying a well made £900 ISE washer but justifying £750 for a dryer is harder.

I really do value your input so thanks in advance.

[Martin]

Re: Bosch WTW86560GB heat pump dryer?

tjunction wrote:I can definitely see the advantages of buying a well made £900 ISE washer but justifying £750 for a dryer is harder.

Quality does come at a price, you are buying into reliability, efficiency and longevity in the process.

A £200 machine may give you some mileage but it comes without the criteria I have outlined.

Advice comes free, choosing always holds some risk whichever path you take. Your call.! 🙂

[kwatt]

Re: Bosch WTW86560GB heat pump dryer?

No problem.

The difference is in how they’re made and also how well that they perform.

Most people look at things in very simplistic terms with appliances, the wattages, load capacity, funky marketing features and so on but, outside of the brochures, there’s actually very little guidance. And, that leads to the biggest problem we have in this industry, people just see a sea of white boxes, all do pretty much the same thing but costs vary and most people can’t understand why that is.

So, they often buy the cheapest or go for something mid-market thinking, “that’ll do”.

The reason is what’s inside them, the bits you can’t see are way, way more important than those that you can. That’s because these are the parts that have to move for years, work for years and retain their performance. You can’t see that and it’s hard to explain to people that they can’t see what they’re paying for.

We can all see the difference between a metal outer door and a plastic one, that sorta stuff is easy.

What you can’t see is a high grade stainless drum, more accurate thermostats, stronger heater, more robust bearing, better motor and so on… that’s why top end dryers and, to a large extent washing machines, are more expensive.

But you often can’t actuality see the reasons for the price bump.

HTH

K.

[tjunction]

Re: Bosch WTW86560GB heat pump dryer?

Thanks again.

Thinking about it, it may be possible to install the dryer in a small utility cupboard in the house (I’ve not moved in yet so haven’t measured to check the space), but obviously I couldn’t use a condenser dryer in a confined space. But this cupboard has an outside wall so could install a vented dryer.

I’ll wait to see how things work out when I’ve moved but I might end up getting a mid-range vented dryer – I guess Bosch or something.

[kwatt]

Re: Bosch WTW86560GB heat pump dryer?

Not recommended.

All dryers must be able to pull cool air. 😉

K.

[tjunction]

Re: Bosch WTW86560GB heat pump dryer?

Granted. But if there was adequate ventilation in the cupboard (e.g. intake vent from outside or a vent in the cupboard door) would there be a problem?

I guess I need to wait till I’ve moved in and figured out the best way to use the space before I start ordering things…

[kwatt]

Re: Bosch WTW86560GB heat pump dryer?

I still wouldn’t advice it in a confined space of any sort.

A dryer has to be able to “breath”, pulling in cool air to heat and expelling the hot moist air, not to where the cool air comes from it possible. If you stand in the way of that then you’re going to have issues.

That’s why built in dryers are rare, condensing built in even rarer. It’s hard to do.

K.

[tjunction]

Re: Bosch WTW86560GB heat pump dryer?

Right then. I’ve spent the weekend cleaning my new house and thinking about various purchases.

Bearing in mind what you said and a few other practicalities, I decided that there is space in the kitchen/dining room for a washer and a dryer. But it will have to be a condenser dryer as it’s not near an exterior wall.

So I think I’m going to take the plunge and get both the ISE washer and dryer. Presumably I won’t be disappointed 🙂

Thanks for the help again.

[Author]

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