Tech expert Harriet took a leaf out of consumer guru Martin Lewis’ book to help cut her laundry costs, discovering dehumidifiers are a staple for condensation and mould but they serve another game-changing purpose
As the UK winter weather brings cold snaps, heating and energy costs have left many of us looking for simple ways to cut the bills. Following consumer experts’ advice, I ditched my tumble dryer for a much cheaper solution, and the results are certainly worth sharing.
Dryers have been pointed out as energy-guzzling devices that can create hefty costs in the background, leaving many billpayers opting for water-sucking dehumidifiers. It’s here where I gained inspiration, as I realised the MeacoDry Dehumidifier I’d been using in my small two-bedroom flat to help stop condensation in the winter could serve as another savvy household solution.
I’ve now boycotted my LG machine’s dryer modes for the much cheaper option – and it only costs 9p an hour to run.Running it through our go-to Sus-it Energy Calculator – one our team uses a lot to compare energy costs – the average run time for the 350W dehumidifier is less than 10p per hour. It manages to pull out a lot of moisture from wet washing.
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In contrast, my usual dry cycle on our LG Turbo machine uses a whopping 3077W per hour – that’s 76p per hour – and to get towels, bedding, or coats dry takes a lot longer than 60 minutes its closer to two.
My dehumidifier drys towels and coats fast
The practical plug-in devices help banish condensation as they pull moisture out of the air, a key feature for cutting out any dampness or mould, and drying laundry – which I’ve come to to use it for. The Meaco model has a specific laundry setting and in a click of a button the dedicated laundry mode runs for six hours before automatically switching off.
Heavy loads dry in the full six hours. When on their own, winter coats and my boyfriend’s worksite gilet take two hours (max), which has been a lifesaver.
Get a dehumidifier for less
Dehumidifiers work by pulling moisture from the air, reducing mould, mildew and dampness, which is why they’re a go-to household product in the winter. Condensing the moisture-filled air and condensing it, storing the water and re-circulating the dry air back into the room.
In the few months since using the appliance at home, I haven’t had any issues with its performance, and it’s been effective at keeping the air damp-free. However, it is tricky to clean.
Because it collects a lot of water, it needs regular emptying and cleaning to ensure no mould builds up in the machine. It can also be aired out in between, but nonetheless, it’s something I didn’t anticipate.
