New dryer help - what do the kg ratings actually mean?

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alasta

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#3405533 19-Aug-2025 10:51

johno1234:

Curious to know how good/bad just using a portable dehumidifier and clothes rack to dry a load is. The unit I have here is only 280W vs 900W for a heat pump clothes dryer and 1800W for a vented dryer.

This is something that I have often thought about as it's very difficult to fit a drier in the laundry space in my apartment. From previous experience it takes about 12 hours for a dehumidifier to complete a cycle on laundry mode, which I imagine is probably about three or four times how long it would take your heat pump drier. So, probably very similar energy consumption based on your wattage figures above.

The main disadvantage is the space that it takes up. You need to have room for a clothes airer, and room for the dehumidifier, and a clearance in between the two. In a small apartment or townhouse it could be disruptive to have that space occupied for 12 hours.

richms

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#3405599 19-Aug-2025 14:40

hsvhel:

richms:

60c worth of power to use the dryer makes the added time spent hanging out get valued at near nothing, plus theft risk of the clothes, plus bird shyte risk and also drying doesn't happen outside at night when I am there to do washing. Also fading from the UV.

Its a nice idea hanging over from the era of housewives who were home all day.

Condenser and heatpump driers have no venting needs.

.

I got to know, theft risk?? what has someone pinched from your line before?

None here as I dont have a washing line, but at a previous place in Mt Eden it was a jacket and some generic jeans. If its visible from the road then its fair game to many people.

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richms

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#3405600 19-Aug-2025 14:42

Dryers are not running at that power all the time, once they are heated up they either cut back or cycle on and off.

If I do an all jeans run, I can get up to 5 units of power, but a normal mixed load will be 2.5-3 for a drying cycle.

Richard rich.ms

fe31nz

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#3405740 20-Aug-2025 00:29

johno1234:

Curious to know how good/bad just using a portable dehumidifier and clothes rack to dry a load is. The unit I have here is only 280W vs 900W for a heat pump clothes dryer and 1800W for a vented dryer.

Consumer did an article about the various means of drying clothes. IIRC, using a dehumidifier worked out far more expensive than an ordinary dryer. Let alone a heat pump one.

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