Review of Westinghouse Dryers in NZ

Looking for a new clothes dryer and considering purchasing a Westinghouse model? We have all you need to know about Westinghouse dryers and the models currently available for sale in New Zealand.

Westinghouse Dryers in NZ

Westinghouse is part of the Electrolux group, but as a brand has been producing quality appliances in Australia since the 1930s. It currently retails a range of six clothes dryers in New Zealand. However, only five are widely available:

8kg EasyCare 700 series heat pump dryer (WDH804N8WA)

Westinghouse’s top-of the range dryer features SenseDry. This technology means that instead of just running the dryer for a set time, the dryer constantly monitors your clothes and stops when they reach the perfect level of dryness. This means your clothes are never overdried, which can damage them. The model also features auto-cool, which means your clothes come out cool to the touch, and with fewer wrinkles to iron out.

Key features

• 7-star energy rating (156kWh)
• 13-drying features
• Dryer rack
• LED lighting
• SensorDry
• Reverse tumbling action
• Delicates setting

Dimensions: h:850mm | w:600mm | d:662mm

Available for approx: $2469*

8kg EasyCare 500 series heat pump dryer (WDH804N8WA)

Westinghouse’s 500 series model boasts all the features of 700 series model, but without the drying rack. The model also features auto-cool.

Key features

• 7-star energy rating (156kWh)
• 13-drying features
• LED lighting
• SensorDry
• Reverse tumbling action
• Delicates setting

Dimensions: h:850mm | w:600mm | d:662mm

Available for approx: $1329*

6.5kg vented clothes dryer (WDV656N3WB)

Westinghouse’s 6.5kg vented clothes dryer is a cheaper option than the heat pump dryers, while still featuring SensorDry technology and auto-cool. However, as it’s not a heat pump dryer, it’s less energy efficient.

Key features

• 2-star energy rating (292kWh)
• Timed or SensorDry programs
• Reverse tumbling action
• Delicates setting

Dimensions: h:795mm | w:600mm | d:600mm

Available for approx: $689*

NB: Westinghouse features another version of this dryer on its website (WDV656HQWA), however it’s not widely available in stores in NZ.

5.5kg vented clothes dryer with SensorDry (WDV556N3WB)

This dryer is, basically, just a smaller version of the above machine, catering for smaller loads.

Key features

• 2-star energy rating (247kWh)
• Timed or SensorDry programs
• Reverse tumbling action
• Delicates setting

Dimensions: h:795mm | w:600mm | d:560mm

Available for approx: $699*

4.5kg vented clothes dryer (WDV457H3WB)

This is Westinghouse’s smallest and most affordable dryer.

Key features

• 1.5-star energy rating (219kWh)
• Timed settings
• Reverse tumbling action
• Auto-cool

Dimensions: h:795mm | w:600mm | d:520mm

Available for approx: $484*

* All prices correct at time of writing and should be considered a guide, not a quote. For exact prices see retailers’ websites.

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Types of Westinghouse dryers

Westinghouse dryers fall into two categories: heat pump dryers and vented dryers:

Heat-pump dryers

A heat-pump dryer is a type of condenser dryer, which recycles heat in the process of extracting moisture. This means you get great drying results while consuming up to 50% less electricity than other dryer types.

Pros:

• Extremely energy efficient
• Heat-pump dryers don’t vent heated air or water vapour, so no heat or humidity for your laundry room
• Uses lower temperatures and therefore gentler on clothes

Cons:

• Higher purchase price
• Slower to dry clothes than vented or condenser dryers

Vented dryer

Vented dryers are the simplest form of dryer. They heat air, pass it into the drum, and then vent it, often outside via a hose.

Pros:

• Generally cheaper to buy
• Dries clothes quickly
• Can be cheaper to run than a condenser dryer
• Can be wall mounted

Cons:

• Because they expel moist air, excess moisture can lead to damp and/or mould on walls and around the dryer
• Needs to be near a window/external wall for the hose to expel moist air outside
• Can be expensive to run
• Requires an open and well-ventilated space, so not ideal for use in an apartment, etc, that has a laundry closet

Westinghouse dryer energy-efficiency

Westinghouse’s current models come with three different energy efficiency ratings, from 1.5 to 7 Stars. Obviously, the 7-Star rated heat pump machines are the cheapest to use, but cost more upfront. It’s interesting to note that the 1.5-Star rated dryer will cost less to run per hour than the 2-Star rated machines. However, this is because it holds a smaller load.

Using the national average power price of 32.5c p/kWh, here is a rough breakdown of how much each of the above machines will cost to run per hour:

• 7-star energy rating (156kWh) 8kg – 51c per hour to run
• 2-star energy rating (292kWh) 6.5kg – 95c per hour to run
• 2-star energy rating (247kWh) 5.5kg – 80c per hour to run
• 1.5-star energy rating (219kWh) 4.5kg – 71c per hour to run

When working out power costs, as well as considering an appliance’s star ratings, it always pays to check whether you’re getting the best deal. For example, if you can switch to using your dryer at a certain time of the day, why not swap to a provider that offers a free hour of power each day, or cheaper off-peak prices? Your savings could be considerable. To make choosing the best electricity provider easier, Canstar compares them on value and service.

Canstar Blue’s latest review of NZ power companies compares them on customer satisfaction. The table below is an abridged version of our full results, available here.

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About the author of this page

This report was written by Canstar’s Editor, Bruce Pitchers. Bruce has three decades’ experience as a journalist and has worked for major media companies in the UK and Australasia, including ACP, Bauer Media Group, Fairfax, Pacific Magazines, News Corp and TVNZ. Prior to Canstar, he worked as a freelancer, including for The Australian Financial Review, the NZ Financial Markets Authority, and for real estate companies on both sides of the Tasman.