Tumble dryers can be a lifesaver in winter and will make laundry a lot more manageable, but they are one of the biggest energy drainers in a home. They take a lot of electricity to run due to how much heat they produce, and if you are not careful, they can quickly drive up your energy bills.
After Christmas, many people want to cut costs, and Andrew Metcalf from All Your Appliances explains that improving a tumble dryer's efficiency can be as easy as moving it to a better spot. Andrew said: "Although placing your dryer in the garage or conservatory may keep it out of the way, if the circumstances aren't ideal, it may end up increasing your energy costs. Your dryer will use more energy to heat the air if the room is too cold, so you should consider storing it in a room with good insulation."
Why should you move your tumble dryer?
Many people move tumble dryers somewhere out of the way, but keeping them in a cold area of your home means the appliance will have to work harder in order to dry clothes. This means that the drying cycles will take twice as long and it will waste a lot of energy.
It should also be noted that conservatories and garages can be damp, which increases the risk of electrical issues and the tumble dryer breaking down.
Instead, it is better to move tumble dryers somewhere dry and warm to make them much more efficient, as it will speed up the drying time.
You would also keep tumble dryers away from walls, corners or cupboards, as keeping them too near a surface can trap moisture, which will also make them have to work harder.
Even moving a dryer a few centimetres away from a wall will make a notable difference and will speed it up to help keep your energy bills down.
How else can you make a tumble dryer more efficient?
One of the biggest mistakes people make with tumble dryers is simply placing it on the highest temperature or mixed setting.
Most laundry can be dried quickly if you put it on a more specialised programme, so take the time to learn your dryer's settings to cut down on running costs.
Andrew said: "Modern dryers offer a variety of settings and programs, such as 'light dry,' 'delicates,' and 'very dry'. To make sure you're operating your appliance effectively and controlling your energy usage, familiarise yourself with these options."
Make sure not to pack the laundry into the dryer, as overfilling it will also take much longer and it is better to simply to two lighter drying cycles instead.
You can also speed up a tumble dryer by adding a towel to your laundry for 15 minutes to absorb excess moisture, and it will help save you more money on energy bills for the rest of winter.
