Dehumidifiers are one of the most useful devices to own in winter, as they will help dry clothes in half the time, so you do not have to worry about laundry piling up. However, most people just switch them on, point them at the nearest clothes rack and leave them on longer than they should be, which ends up costing them more money in energy bills.

The appliance experts at Coopers of Stortford have shared that you could be "quietly draining your wallet" by simply putting a dehumidifier in the wrong place.One expert said: "A dehumidifier needs airflow to work effectively. Tucking it behind furniture, next to a wall, or in a corner severely limits its ability to pull moisture from the room. To give your dehumidifier the best chance of drawing in moisture, give it at least 20-30 cm of space on all sides."

Dehumidifiers work by drawing water vapours out of the air in a room and getting rid of all that excess moisture will help laundry dry at a much quicker rate.

However, dehumidifiers need access to all the air circulating in a room, and will not be able to remove any humidity if they are blocked by a wall or furniture.

Even if it is a little inconvenient, it is more effective to put a dehumidifier somewhere central where it has plenty of space around it if you want it to work properly.

You should also make sure to keep doors open, even just slightly, as dehumidifiers will not work if there is no air movement in a room at all.

The expert said: "Keep the door slightly ajar to allow movement of moist air and avoid blocking vents or covering radiators, which can trap moisture."

Once you have moved the dehumidifier to a more open area, turn it on in the morning if you have time, as it is more effective at the beginning of the day.

Humidity tends to be worst in the morning as moisture builds up while we are breathing in our sleep and the cooler temperature will cause condensation to form on windows.

Taking the time to use a dehumidifier first thing helps quickly remove any overnight moisture, and can even help save on energy bills if you are on an off-peak electricity plan.

Using a dehumidifier correctly is one of the easiest ways to save money over winter while also keeping damp and mould out of your home.