With decarbonisation a growing priority, many of our customers are considering electric alternatives to gas-powered appliances in their laundry rooms. But how do the latest generation of electric commercial dryers actually stack up?
As we continue to look at the most efficient investments for your business, we’ve tested the energy-saving credentials of a JLA SMART electric commercial tumble dryer against a popular gas dryer.
What is JLA's SMART dryer technology?
Along with features designed to optimise heat exchange, JLA’s SMART commercial tumble dryers are specially programmed to know exactly how long it will take a load to dry. This helps to shorten cycle times while minimising electricity waste, which in turn helps to reduce carbon emissions.
Comparing SMART to standard: our methodology
We tested a JLA 35 SMART touch electric dryer against a standard JLA D40 gas tumble dryer, commonly used across the care sector. To simulate real-world conditions, we ran both dryers for five hours – equivalent to 6.6 loads, or an average day’s use. We also used towels instead of lighter linens to help produce more realistic, informative results than similar tests carried out elsewhere.
Key results from our testing
Using example costs of 0.499 p/kwh for electricity, and 0.24989 p/kwh for gas, we came to the following results.
Time and energy savings
Versus the D40 gas dryer, the JLA 35 SMART touch electric dryer took a full 20 minutes less per cycle to dry a load, and consumed 1.2 kWh (11%) less energy per cycle than its gas counterpart – a powerful demonstration of its eco-friendly credentials.
A noticeable difference in cost
Based on our testing, a JLA SMART electric dryer costs £4.89 per cycle, while the gas dryer costs £2.75 per cycle, a difference of £2.14. For a full day’s use (6.6 loads), the electric dryer costs £40.36 more than the gas dryer. This means that, over the course of a year, using this electric dryer will cost £14,730 more than its gas equivalent.
Weighing environmental benefits versus costs
With results from our tests scaled up, the JLA 35 SMART electric dryer would deliver an annual reduction of 4,951.83 kg in CO2 emissions, versus our D40 gas dryer, making it a far more eco-friendly investment. So, if your biggest priority is to reduce carbon emissions from your laundry room (and enjoy the extra benefits of reduced drying times), it’s clear that going electric will help.
However, it’s vital to weigh a reduced environmental impact against an increase in annual electricity bills – not least because the higher operating costs of an electric dryer may present a challenge for budgeting.
For expert advice on the best option for your commercial laundry equipment, simply get in touch today.
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