The Impact of Tumble Dryers and our Energy Bills

Tumble dryers have been branded as the obvious appliance to ditch as the cost-of-living crisis continues. And although it’s no secret that dryers (and even our washing machines), can have a negative effect on our energy bills, ditching the dryer completely may not always be the most practical solution if we’re looking to save money or lead a hectic lifestyle. And, now that the energy prices have risen even higher and we’re having to put these money-saving tips into practice, is avoiding the tumble dryer completely really the most cost-effective solution?

Tumble Dryer Usage - The Statistics

According to statista.com, between 1995 and 2018, 89% of households had a washing machine, and by 2018 this had risen to 98%. In comparison, the ownership of tumble dryers is yet to rise above 59%. But with over half the nation owning a tumble dryer, it seems they are still an essential home appliance for many households. For those of us with busy lifestyles - where a tumble dryer may be the only option to conveniently ensure your clothes are dry in time for when you need them, or those of us with minimal living space, where the space to air dry just isn’t available, getting rid of the dryer to save money on your winter energy bills may seem too extreme. So for those of us who find tumble dryers essential, but are cautious of the rising energy costs, it’s important to be aware of the pros and cons of using your tumble dryer.

Pros

• In the colder months, washing may take longer to air dry, especially if the heating isn’t on. If washing is kept wet for too long, damp may linger and you’ll find you need to re-wash them, which could be using more energy than you would have if initially using the tumble dryer. Air-drying wet clothes against your walls and doors can also increase the likelihood of developing mould in your home.
• It’s not always practical to air-dry an entire family’s clothes.- having air dryers everywhere isn’t practical for many households / smaller homes
• Convenient drying solution for when the weather is too cold to hang washing outside to dry
• Tumble dryers can remove creases from clothes, minimising the need to iron
• You can purchase A-rated tumble dryers for, optimal energy efficiency saving you money long-term- ( see below.)

Cons

• Poor energy-efficient tumble dryers continuously exhaust hot air which can increase your gas or electric usage, therefore increasing cost.
• Some clothes cannot be tumble-dried due to their fabric.
• The tumble dryer will need to be cleaned regularly - especially the filters.
• You need a suitable space in your kitchen, bathroom or utility room with good ventilation.
• They’re a financial investment, which although in the long term can save you money, purchasing a new energy-efficient appliance isn’t accessible for everyone.

If you feel that the pros outweigh the cons, then you may find using a tumble dryer highly beneficial, however, with the rising cost of living a concern for many, here are a few of the energy-efficient tumble dryers we recommend to help you dry clothes efficiently without spending too much on the bills.

Our Top Energy-Efficient Tumble Dryer Recommendations

Hotpoint NT M10 81WK UK

This Hotpoint dryer (below) can be installed anywhere in your home and can hold an impressive 8kg of wet clothes. It has an anti-allergen option which will remove up to 99.9% of all bacteria found on your washing. It comes with an energy rating of A+ which means it is one of our most energy-efficient dryers.

Bosch WTR87T82GB

This Bosch tumble dryer has an impressive energy rating of A++, making it super efficient and cost-friendly. It can hold 8kg of your wet washing, can be used for full or partial loads, and even has a low-power mode.

Hotpoint NTM1192SK

This Hotpoint dryer is dedicated to caring for the fabrics you love most, with a setting to help prolong the vibrancy in your clothes. Able to hold 9kg of washing at any one time, with an A++ energy rating and with technology that recycles moisture, this dryer can save you up to 50% in energy consumption, making it both energy and cost-efficient.

Bosch WQG245R9GB

The Bosch WQG245R9GB tumble dryer (below) has an impressive A++ energy rating as well as heat technology with a climate-friendly cooling agent, making this one of our most energy-efficient dryers. Able to complete half and full loads up to 9kg, this dryer has over 15 settings to optimise clothes drying.

Bosch WTH85222GB

This Bosch dryer has an A++ energy rating and climate-friendly heat technology which improves your energy efficiency and lowers your cost. Instead of drying for a set time, this tumble dryer automatically dries items for the exact amount of time it needs, also lowering energy usage, and is set up with AntiVibration^TM Design, making it pleasantly quiet and discreet.

You can find more of our tumble dryers here, where you’ll also find our installation, delivery and removal information.

Purchasing a Tumble Dryer

There is strong evidence to suggest that upgrading your home with more energy-efficient appliances can save you money in the long term, but purchasing a new appliance is an investment, so it's important that you know what energy-efficient tumble dryers are available to you within your budget and whether upgrading will help you save long-term before you make any commitments.

However, if your current dryer is in good working order and just needs some TLC, then getting your current machine repaired could be the most practical solution, as a dryer that isn’t working at optimal efficiency could also be using more energy than necessary per cycle.

Fortunately, many more brands are working towards producing more eco-friendly and energy-efficient appliances, to help us work towards a more financially-friendly and environmentally sustainable future.

In Summary

Before you use or purchase a tumble dryer, here are a few key factors to consider:

• In order to keep your energy bills down, look for a dryer which has an energy-efficient rating of A or higher. To save unnecessary energy usage, only use the dryer when the weather is bad, you’re in a rush or you are unable to let it air dry.
• Using the dryer for shorter cycles will lower your energy consumption.
• Before purchasing new, see if any repairs are needed to your current appliance. Having a faulty dryer could mean your dryer is using more energy than required.

Contact Us.

For more info or advice on any of our energy-efficient appliances listed above (or the many others we have in store) do get in touch or pop down to our Luton showroom.

At Joe Graham & Son Ltd. we are committed to helping customers find the perfect appliances for their homes. From ovens to fridges, dryers, hobs, dishwashers, kettles and washing machines, we have the latest ranges from some of the world’s leading brands, for you to view and buy at great prices.

Written for Joe Graham & Son. ltd by VirtuallyAly

- Alexandria Campbell & Victoria Bucknell