Tumble dryer usage will cost half if you run it at ‘best’ time of day

Drying laundry has become a costly affair for British households, with energy-hungry tumble dryers causing electricity bills to soar. But experts suggest there’s a savvy trick that could slash your costs ‘by up to 50%’ – choosing the right time to run your appliances.

In these challenging times with high living costs, when you use your tumble dryer can make all the difference, especially if you’re on a time-of-use tariff with variable electricity pricing. Running your dryer during off-peak hours, which usually fall overnight, at weekends or on bank holidays, can lead to significant savings.

British Gas has stated that energy is cheaper during periods of low demand. In support of this, heating oil supplier Your NRG highlights the benefits of using appliances in these cheaper windows, reports Lancs Live.

Gordon Wallis of Your NRG emphasises: “Drying clothes doesn’t have to cost the earth. For those on variable tariffs, running your tumble dryer during off-peak hours can cut your energy bills in half – simply by using power when it’s in lower demand.”

He also pointed out: “Tumble dryers are among the highest-consuming appliances in the home. If you’re running yours at 6pm when demand is peaking, you’re paying a premium. But by switching to overnight use, or timing laundry for weekends, you could notice a real drop in your monthly bills.”

To save on energy costs while using a tumble dryer, try operating it during off-peak hours, usually after 10 pm and before 8am. Many energy companies provide reduced electricity rates during these times. Additionally, consider using the dryer on weekends, as some providers may offer lower rates then too.

Experts at consumer watchdog Which? have offered savvy advice to keep electricity bills down, highlighting that off-peak electricity generally becomes cheaper after 10pm and before 8am. They said: “As long as you’re at home and awake, this would be a cheaper time to use your tumble dryer, maybe before you go to work or take the kids to school.

“Also, look for promotions from your energy company, such as PeakSave from British Gas, which provides half-price electricity between 11am and 4pm on Sundays. If you can save your tumble drying till Sundays, this would also be a good time to get your clothes dry cheaply.”

Beyond mere timing, Wallis has underscored several easy strategies to augment your dryer’s efficiency. “Using dryer balls is a great way to reduce drying time – they help to circulate warm air and prevent clothes from clumping,” he noted.

“You should also make sure the lint trap is clean before every load, as blocked filters force your machine to work harder and use more energy.” What’s more, he says, overburdening your tumble dryer can extend cycle durations and ramp up expenses.

To combat inefficiency, Wallis urges homeowners to wring out smaller laundry batches to allow hot air to swirl unrestrictedly. Clearing out the lint filter post-usage also ensures unimpeded airflow, stopping your dryer from straining and guzzling excess power. Giving damp garments a whirl in the spin cycle could be thriftier than the usual tumble drying routine.

Homeowners looking to trim their energy bills might consider splashing out on a heat pump dryer, known for slashing energy use by an impressive 50%, offering substantial long-term savings despite the higher upfront expenses.

Yet, when the sun’s out and the skies are clear, nothing beats the thriftiness of line-drying clothes outside. Wallis suggests indoor air drying as a viable option for those less clement days: “Whether you’re using a dryer or air-drying indoors, being smart about when and how you dry your clothes can make a genuine difference to your household energy usage.”

The specialists at Octopus Energy have crunched the numbers, revealing a cost-effective tip from the Energy Savings Trust: “Ditching the tumble dryer and drying your clothes on a washing line or clothes horse could save you £50 a year according to the Energy Savings Trust. Avoid drying clothes on radiators – this makes your boiler work harder.”

Likewise, British Gas champions the virtues of avoiding the tumble dryer to keep costs down, predicting savings of up to £60 a year: “Air dry your clothes or hang them on a washing line outside if it’s sunny. And if you do need to use it, wash a full load.” The energy supplier further advises that washing just once a week and keeping the cycle temperature around 30C could save you £29.

To combat the risk of dampness while drying attire indoors on a clothes horse, experts recommend deploying a dehumidifier to stave off unwelcome mould. The dampening effects of drying clothes indoors are well-known, leading to escalated moisture levels in your home that can spur on the growth of unsightly mould. Using a heated drying rack is particularly troublesome, hiking up the indoor humidity and making conditions ripe for mould to thrive.

To enhance energy efficiency at home, British Gas has put together an invaluable roster of tips that mix cutting-edge technology with simple lifestyle adjustments.

1. Embrace smart meter technology

British Gas champions the use of smart meters, asserting: “Smart meters come with an in-home display (IHD) or smart energy monitor, which shows you how much energy you’re using – and how much it’s costing you. So you can test and monitor which energy-saving measures work best for you.”

2. Disconnect your chargers

British Gas advises against the unnecessary power drain of leaving chargers plugged in, declaring: “It’s estimated that leaving electrical items plugged in or on standby costs the average British household around £45 a year in wasted electricity. So make sure you turn off your tech.”

3. Opt for energy-efficient lighting

By swapping out traditional bulbs for energy-saving light bulbs, not only do you cut down on electricity usage, but British Gas also points out the added benefit of their extended lifespan, potentially offering savings over time.

4. Boil what you require

British Gas also suggests conserving energy by boiling only as much water as needed. They tack on the additional advice for those in hard water areas to descale their kettle periodically, ensuring efficient operation and improving the flavour of your brews.

5. Always do a full load of washing

“Running your washing machine half empty uses the same amount of water and the same amount of electricity. So make sure you always do a full load. And if things aren’t very dirty, try cutting the temperature down from 40 to 30 degrees,” British Gas advised.

6. Make use of microwaves and air fryers

“Around 3% of the home’s energy use comes from cooking, so choosing the right appliance for the occasion can help you save. Because they’re smaller, air fryers can cost less than a conventional oven to cook the same meal and as microwaves heat the food, and not the air around it, they use 90% less energy than conventional ovens.”

7. Freeze energy costs with the right fridge freezer

“Up to 13% of your electricity bill is generated by your fridge freezer, so it pays to choose the smallest one, with the highest energy rating efficiency to suit your needs and budget. To make your fridge freezer as energy efficient as possible, defrost it regularly, and don’t store things on top of it. It needs air circulating around it, so leave some space between your fridge and the wall and don’t forget to dust the condenser coils on the back.”

8. Fill the dishwasher

Making sure the dishwasher is full before putting it on can also help save energy, according to British Gas. Waiting until it’s full can also help you reduce your use by one run each week, which can save you around £11 a year.