Tumble dryers are one of the most expensive appliances to run in a home, but there is a simple trick that can help make them more efficient and save money on energy bills
Tumble dryers are among the most costly appliances to operate in a home, typically costing the average UK household £131 in energy bills due to their high electricity usage. However, drying clothes by simply hanging them up can be quite challenging during winter, and for those with large families or needing to dry clothes quickly, a tumble dryer is indispensable.
The experts at Save Money Cut Carbon have revealed a simple trick to make your tumble dryer more efficient and save money – untangling your laundry before drying it.
They advised: “All of your items are likely to bundle together in the washing machine, so before popping everything in the dryer, make sure you untangle and separate them first. This ensures that everything will dry quicker and evenly, meaning lower energy consumption.”
So, how does sorting out laundry save money on energy bills?
If clothes are balled up in the tumble dryer, the hot air cannot circulate properly around the fabric to dry it, resulting in a longer time to remove any moisture.
Most tumble dryers come equipped with a moisture sensor, and if laundry remains clumped in the middle, the sensor will keep the cycle running even if the clothes are already dry, reports the Express.
Taking a few moments to sort laundry correctly will speed up the drying process and reduce the time your tumble dryer needs to be switched on.
Sorting your laundry by fabric type can also be beneficial, as heavier items like towels or jeans take longer to dry and mixing them with lighter garments can result in uneven drying.
Mixed loads can cause the tumble dryer to run for a prolonged period, and they can also damage clothes over time, as thinner items such as socks and T-shirts are more prone to overheating.
So, how else can you make your tumble dryer more efficient?
Many people believe that stuffing a tumble dryer to its maximum capacity will help save money on energy bills, as it allows for drying more clothes in one go.
However, overloading the tumble dryer will actually lengthen the cycle time and cost more, so it’s preferable to run two cycles, which will be much faster.
If you have a mountain of laundry to tackle, starting a second load immediately after the first is highly efficient, as the dryer will still be warm, thus reducing the time needed to heat up.
Once your clothes have been washed in the washing machine, it’s also advantageous to put them on a quick spin cycle, as this helps eliminate excess moisture, which in turn speeds up the tumble dryer cycle.
Making the most out of a tumble dryer is really straightforward and usually only takes a few moments, but it can significantly cut down on energy usage, helping to save a bit more on electricity bills this winter.
