The dryer is your most expensive appliance, but a two-second trick helps
Tumble dryers can seem like a godsend when unpredictable weather conditions limit the use of clothes lines.
Chris Richards revealed he has a trick you should try to reduce the time it takes to dry clothes – and save money on cycles as a result.
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Richards is the CEO of Expert in utility savingsa UK-based price comparison service that helps save on energy bills.
Many people rely on tumble dryers to dry their clothes all winter long, but at around €1.27 per cycle or €66.25 per year, it is the most expensive appliance to run.
“Washing machines, dishwashers and tumble dryers are responsible for 14% of the average energy bill,” Richards said. National World.
“However, there are simple ways to save costs with these devices.”
He recommended avoiding the use of tumble dryers where possible by drying clothes outside on sunny days.
If this option is not available, a simple towel trick can reduce the time a dryer is needed.
He suggested putting a dry towel in the dryer next to the laundry to absorb excess water, reducing the need for cycles.
The costs of using dishwashers and washing machines can also be easily reduced.
Only use them on eco settings and with a full load.
According to Richards, washing clothes at 30 degrees and limiting the use of washing machines can save around £22 a year.
You can save another €11 annually by choosing to use the dishwasher only once a week.
The energy bill hacks come after B&Q property experts shared tips to help avoid expensive heating bills.
They said radiators can take longer to heat the house and even make loud noises when it’s time to bleed them.
The process involving a radiator key or flat-head screwdriver is ‘quick and simple’.
Once the vent valve at the top left or right of the radiator is loosened, the heater will heat the home more efficiently.
5 Money-saving tips for autumn/winter
1. Make your home draught-free
It takes time and money to heat your home, so it’s important that you do everything you can to keep the heat in. Close your doors and windows and fill any gaps with weather stripping.
2. Turn down your thermostat
According to Energy UK, lowering the thermostat by just one degree Celsius can reduce your heating costs by up to 10% and save you around £85 a year. And if you don’t have a thermostat, installing one can save you up to $70 per year!
3. Move furniture
Ensure that large, bulky furniture such as sofas does not block the radiators.
4. Wash clothes at a lower temperature and add extra spin cycle
Unless it is bedding, towels or very dirty items, turn the temperature down to 20 or 30 degrees and rotate the machine twice to remove excess water.
5. Heat the person, not the house
There is no point in heating up a room with no one in it, so pay close attention to which radiators are on.
However, efforts to maximize the heat from the radiators will be futile if cold air can still creep between the gaps in the floorboards.
The experts recommend giving rooms a ‘cozy feeling’ with a rug.
Heavy curtains can also be useful for limiting cold air and drafts from entering around the windows.
Curtains should be open during the day to let in the sun’s warmth and closed before it gets dark.
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