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Finance expert Martin Lewis has issued a stark warning about the high energy costs associated with tumble dryers, urging households to adopt cost-saving measures as energy bills soar this winter.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
As households brace for the winter months amid soaring energy costs, finance expert Martin Lewis has issued a pointed warning regarding one of the more costly household appliances, the tumble dryer. Speaking on his BBC Radio 5 podcast, Lewis labelled tumble dryers as a \u201cdemon appliance,\u201d highlighting that each use typically costs around \u00a31 in energy. With the average household facing heightened energy bills and an increasing number of consumers falling into debt to their energy providers, the advice to limit tumble dryer use could be a vital cost-saving measure.<\/p>\n
According to a survey by Uswitch cited in the original report, household energy debt has surged to \u00a3780 million, marking an eight-year peak with 3.5 million homes now owing their energy suppliers, a 46% rise from the previous year. In this context, Lewis\u2019s recommendation to dry clothes on an airer outdoors or indoors where possible, rather than relying on tumble dryers, takes on particular urgency. For those drying clothes indoors and facing issues with dampness, Lewis points to dehumidifiers as a more energy-efficient alternative. Unlike central heating, which tends to have a high wattage, dehumidifiers extract moisture from the air at a lower energy cost, potentially reducing electricity bills. Running a dehumidifier consumes around 200 watts, translating to roughly 7p per hour in running costs, significantly cheaper than tumble drying or heating a whole room.<\/p>\n
More broadly, Lewis has advocated other energy-saving strategies suited to the chilly months. Placing reflective panels behind radiators, especially those on external walls, can help reflect heat back into living spaces instead of losing it through walls. If commercial reflective panels are cost-prohibitive, even household alternatives like tin foil can serve the purpose, albeit with slightly less efficiency. In addition to this, Lewis recommends homeowners become \u201cdraft detectors\u201d by walking around their homes to identify and seal air leaks, which can considerably reduce heating requirements.<\/p>\n
Further expert advice supports some of these measures. For instance, the Westminster City Council underscores the value of draught excluders and radiator reflectors in maintaining warmth efficiently. Moreover, adjusting heating systems, such as lowering a combi-boiler\u2019s flow temperature, can result in over 9% gas savings without compromising comfort, alongside these passive methods to retain heat. <\/p>\n
While tumble dryers are costly in terms of energy, some household tweaks might moderate their usage. Adding a dry towel to the dryer load can halve drying time by absorbing moisture, according to MoneySuperMarket, thereby reducing energy consumption for those occasions when the appliance is necessary.<\/p>\n
However, there is debate around the cost-saving potential of dehumidifiers. An experiment outlined in Homebuilding magazine found that running a dehumidifier continuously may not always result in net savings compared to traditional heating, especially depending on usage and energy prices. This nuance suggests that while dehumidifiers can be a valuable tool, their overall impact on bills should be weighed against individual circumstances.<\/p>\n
As homeowners seek ways to navigate the current energy crisis, the combined insights from financial experts, consumer advice platforms, and local government guidance offer a toolkit of practical actions. Limiting the use of high-energy appliances like tumble dryers, employing dehumidifiers judiciously, enhancing home insulation, and optimising heating systems emerge as complementary steps that could ease the burden of escalating energy costs this winter.<\/p>\n