British Gas, OVO, EDF, EON and Octopus customers drying their laundry in winter are being handed £170 a year – for switching it off. Households who want to dry their clothing have been told they can save £170 a year on energy bills.
Sarah Dempsey, a cleaning expert, has worked with the tradesman locator site MyJobQuote to share guidance and advice. “Skip the dryer and embrace the natural drying power of the sun and air to save money on your energy bills, while also extending the life of your clothes,” Sarah said.
“Air drying is a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to using a dryer – it saves money on energy bills, extends the lifespan of clothes by avoiding the harsh heat and tumbling action, and freshens clothes with natural scent,” the expert went on to say.
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Laura Mountford, AKA @lauracleanaholic, said: “Nothing beats drying your clothes outdoors – but in the UK when the weather’s cold and raining at this time of year, it can be frustrating having damp laundry all over the house for days on end, trying to get it to dry.”
Ways to cut costs include drying outdoors, using heated airers, radiator racks and dehumidifiers. Ms Mountford says: “Last year I finally decided to invest in a heated airer and it has honestly transformed my laundry routine – I don’t know why I didn’t get one sooner! It costs pence to run and dries clothes in a few hours, making it both practical and economical without taking up lots of space.
“This is a much more effective way to dry clothes than hanging them on the radiators to dry, which prevents them from heating your rooms properly.” And Dempsey said: “During the winter especially, a heated clothes airer is the most efficient option.
“But make sure to space the clothes at least an inch apart and turn them occasionally for even drying – this will give you the best results.” According to the Energy Saving Trust, a tumble dryer can cost around £170 a year to run depending on the model, load size and price of energy.