The 'demon' household appliance that could be boosting your energy bills

Martin Lewis
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


Many people rely on tumble dryers to dry their clothes and towels at home during the colder months.

It's a convenient choice when you're pressed for time, but it might be pricier than you think. Over the past few months, a variety of money saving tips have been circulating on TikTok, and one woman revealed the true cost of running a tumble dryer.

According to Shannen, known as _greengal on TikTok, it cost her €2.35 to fully dry a "full load" of towels, which equates to roughly £1.98. She said it took about an hour and 45 minutes to complete the task.

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The experiment led her to conclude that it's "way more efficient" to simply hang them out to dry. She acknowledged that this isn't always feasible due to factors such as weather, but it can help save money.

After she posted the video, viewers were shocked at how costly it is to use this common household appliance. We often don't realise how much simple errors can inflate our bills.

The video has been viewed over 16,000 times since it was shared, and people were quick to comment. They offered some of their own advice.

One person suggested: "Throw in a dry towel with the wet ones, they will dry quicker." Another advised: "Double spin before you put them in the dryer."

A third also responded: "Wouldn't be without my dryer. Helps me run my house more efficiently. I'll take the financial hit for that."

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It appears that many might be unknowingly racking up higher energy bills through simple tumble dryer blunders. Money saving expert Martin Lewis previously told BBC News there are more cost effective methods for drying clothes.

He explained: "Do you know what the real demon appliance is in most people's houses? The one that you don't want to use because it's really expensive - tumble dryers.

"I mean, you're typically paying up to a quid per load, so dry your clothes on an airer outside to shorten the amount of time you're using your tumble dryer, or avoid using it completely. Those who have dehumidifiers - that can take some of the moisture out.

"It's less wattage than the tumble dryer, so it can be more effective." This advice pinpoints how crucial the chosen method of drying clothes can be in managing household expenses.