The tumble dryer is one of the most energy-guzzling appliances to be found in our homes
Amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, Brits are being advised to use their tumble dryers during specific hours to save on energy bills. With the cold and wet weather here to stay, many households have no choice but to rely on these energy-hungry appliances to dry their clothes.
However, consumer watchdog Which? has offered some tips on how to operate tumble dryers more economically. According to Which?, cheaper off-peak electricity is usually available after 10pm and before 8am.
So, if you’re at home and awake, consider running your tumble dryer during these hours – perhaps put a load in before bedtime or early in the morning before heading to work.
Which? also recommends keeping an eye out for promotions from your energy provider, such as British Gas’s PeakSave offer, which gives some smart meter customers a 50% discount on electricity between 11am and 4pm on Sundays. If you can hold off on tumble drying until a certain day, it could be a cost-effective way to dry your clothes.
Another tip from Which? is not to overload your tumble dryer, as it won’t function efficiently if air can’t circulate freely. When testing tumble dryers, Which? only fills them up to 70% of their rated cottons capacity.
