£6 for a load in the tumble dryer?

[whereisthejasmine]

someone on the news just said that it will be £6 per load to use the tumble dryer? is that right? I am searching online and the rates I see are more like 37p per hour a year ago - if that doubles its still less than a £1/hour.
Be grateful to confirm the realistic cost for 2022 as if it is £6/hour I will have to abandon it.

@Moaningturtle

An extra spin in the washing machine cuts down drying time a surprising amount, but I have no idea if an extra spin cycle uses more or less energy than the 20 minutes it saves in the drier? I need a much better grasp of maths to be able to work these things out.

This is a good tip. Definitely saves energy. Also see if spin speed can be adjusted on your preferred wash cycle.

In what way is it worse for the planet than other appliances @Justkeeppedaling? There are posters on here who vacuum every day, shower twice a day and use a fresh towel every time.

(At 45p per kWh that’s about £2 per load)

People are being so sensationalist - a tumble dryer on average uses 4.5kwh per load. Our electric is 29p per kWh so it will cost £1.30 to run a load.

Came on to say what @Moaningturtle has already pointed out. An extra spin cycle helps enormously. You can also get covered rotary clothes driers so your washing can go outdoors in most weather.

Slightly off topic, but what sort of difference will a dehumidifier make to my drying times on clothes horses?? And do I really have to spend loads, or can I get one of the smaller ones (that are less ugly!)

@0ats
I'm always interested when people say this. May I ask: how many people are you washing ( and drying for)? And what do you do when it rains for weeks and it's too warm for the heating to be on inside?

@Clymene

In what way is it worse for the planet than other appliances *@Justkeeppedaling*? There are posters on here who vacuum every day, shower twice a day and use a fresh towel every time.

Yes! I have always been amazed at the amount of washing some people will do - a fresh towel every single day, for example, even if it's only just got a bit damp,

I've seen people insist that it's their god given right to sit at home in a t-shirt and shorts in the middle of winter with the heating on, and that life's too short to be cold. And also say they don't want to downsize from their 5 bedroom home as they like having the family to stay for Christmas. Which is all fine, their choice...but then they also complain about their astronomical energy bills.

@LizzieMacQueen

Came on to say what *@Moaningturtle* has already pointed out. An extra spin cycle helps enormously. You can also get covered rotary clothes driers so your washing can go outdoors in most weather.

I always thought clothes won’t dry outside when it’s cold and damp air though? Even if they are under cover out of the actual rain?

mcdog, when I lived in a tiny flat, with no heating to speak of, in winter my clothes never really dried and they began to smell musty after a few days. I couldn’t afford the driers at the laundrette. In the end I got a washer drier on 0% credit. With a dehumidifier now, clothes dry overnight. It also makes the house feel a bit warmer, as it takes the dampness out of the air.

I do an extra ten minute spin in the machine and it makes a huge difference to drying time.

I usually use a condenser dryer and without the extra spin, the water container would be full after one load. With the extra spin, I can dry 3-4 loads without emptying the water container.

It's absolutely worthwhile if you're using a tumble dryer or hanging up inside because it makes such a difference in how wet your clothes are.

If you do have space the heated airers are fab.

@mcdog

Slightly off topic, but what sort of difference will a dehumidifier make to my drying times on clothes horses?? And do I really have to spend loads, or can I get one of the smaller ones (that are less ugly!)

It dries the air out and your clothes will dry quicker in dry air than in humid air. It is also better for your property as you are less likely to have damp walls etc which means you don't have to have your heating on as much to keep warm.

Surely drying indoors on a conventional clothes horse is only really efficient if the heating is on?

Before the increased prices, I checked my smart meter before and after while there was nothing else on apart from the fridge/freezer, and it was 60p for 90 minutes. I did this because I, like you, was wondering whether to stop using it. I’ve decided to use it less often and dry things on an airer indoors, but I’ll still use it when I really need to.

So probably about £1.50ish a load from that useful list you posted OP. people shouldn't be allowed to say randomly scaremongering stuff on the TV.

I generally put stuff in the tumble dryer for a short while to get the main wet off then hang over the airer if drying indoors.

We bought a separate spin dryer and it makes a huge difference to how long washing takes to dry - it was spinning about 2 pints of water out of every load.

Also, we live in the grim north and it's very rare that washing can't be stuck on a line outside for a few hours, even in winter, so it just needs to be finished off overnight on a rack or in the dryer for half an hour.

Those using dehumidifiers, does it not make your washing crispy?

I've just gotten rid of mine, now I have to do a wash every day and put them on the radiators.
It's much more convenient with a tumble dryer but my electric has lasted soooo much longer without it!
I can't imagine it would cost £6 though.

I agree-around £1.50 a load, rising to £1.65 in October. I'm not sure whether they are VAT rated on top? Big loads which take longer will obviously cost more, depending on size.

@mcdog

Slightly off topic, but what sort of difference will a dehumidifier make to my drying times on clothes horses?? And do I really have to spend loads, or can I get one of the smaller ones (that are less ugly!)

I have dried clothes for years with a dehumidifier. I have an airer I bought years ago from IKEA and it holds almost 2 full loads of washing. I put the dehumidifier under the airer (not so it's covered - just positioned underneath) so not only does it extract moisture but blows warm air as well. I put the washing out in the evening and close the door. In the morning it's perfectly dry and the room smells lovely and is warm. I fold the rack away and work during the day in that room when I'm wfh.

Works a treat.

Vat on fuel is 5%, so add that on!

We got a dehumidifier from Aldi with a laundry setting, it's actually brilliant. Don't remember the last time I used the tumble dryer, even in winter we put loads out on the line when it's not raining even if they don't get completely dry it only takes a short while with the dehumidifier to finish the job.

I hope not because mine is on pretty much from the minute I wake up til go to bed! 8 kids here and I’d say at least 4 or 5 loads of washing a day. I don’t have a washing line as it’s just easier to stick it in the dryer and with everything else I need to do I go for the easier option!

Scaremongering
How do you think people managed before tumble driers were invented?

Try using a desk fan by your clothes horse to move the air - clothes will dry more quickly.

A desk fan is usually around 40w (0.04kwh).