Cheaper dryer wins: €279 upfront beats €649 energy-saving model

Buying the most efficient dryer isn't always worth it

€279 purchase price and 4.5 kWh consumption per cycle. This Class C appliance, the Balay 3SC862, dominates the ten-year total cost comparison against Class A models, according to detailed calculations: €728 total spending with 3% annual electricity hikes, €771 at 5%, and €904 at 10%. The Zanussi ZTH485, Class A and 2 kWh per cycle, costs €932 even in the worst-case scenario. The premium for efficiency doesn't pay off.

The exercise rests on premises worth noting: a **10-year** lifespan, usage of about **160 times a year** (three times weekly), and electricity always on off-peak rates at €0.055833 per kWh. With these parameters, the more expensive unit only makes sense if electricity prices skyrocket. Even then, it loses.

What is the real lifetime cost of a dryer?

Total cost of ownership combines the store price with utility bills during the appliance's life. The model's conclusion challenges the green narrative: **the least efficient class is the cheapest in any price-rise scenario**. Some argue that prioritizing technological innovation pays off despite the numbers; however, you pay that premium while the savings go to the electricity company via lower bills.

The paradox is significant. Buying Class C means paying utilities more—about €500 over ten years versus €250 for Class A—but the initial outlay is so much lower that the overall balance still favors it. The original post suggested the decision was nearly made.

The factor that changes everything: when you run the dryer

The entire argument hinges on one condition: using the appliance **only during off-peak hours**. If peak rates apply—and every household has guests who ignore time-of-use tariffs—the calculation flips, making Class A essential. This isn't a minor detail; it's the core issue.

Alternatives emerged that break the framework. A Siemens IQ500 Class A++ model costing €620 with **1.84 kWh per cycle** resulted in total costs of €803 at 3%, €821 at 5%, and €875 at 10%, just €70 above the winner. The gap narrows to symbolic levels. Others note that a washing machine spinning at **1,200 RPM** leaves clothes nearly dry, reducing the work for any dryer and lowering actual consumption without buying new hardware.

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Some went further, suggesting skipping the dryer entirely. A dehumidifier with drying function, **300-350 watts**, and a €300 cost dries clothes overnight, dehumidifies the home, and heats the room. Consumption for ten hours of night use is around €0.16, far below a conventional dryer cycle.

The breakdown no spreadsheet includes

The model has a known flaw: it ignores repair costs. Anecdotal evidence points to broken belts after four years, fixed for **€20** with online parts, or high-end brands where washers became useless and dryers nearly caught fire after ten years. Reliability isn't reflected in energy labels.

Ultimately, the choice was a compromise: a Siemens IQ700 Class A+ for about €650. Neither the cheapest nor the most efficient. According to the model's author, the ten-year cost balanced out perfectly.

Is it worth paying for energy efficiency when kWh costs €0.055833 and the device lasts ten years? With these figures, the answer depends on an electricity bill that hasn't arrived yet.