Money-saving expert says household appliance is ‘20 times cheaper’ to run than a tumble dryer
As the temperature drops but the bills keep rising, Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis has recommended we trade in our tumble dryer for an alternative appliance.
As winter hits, you're probably using the tumble dryer more instead of drying things out on the line, and it can be handy for drying towels and bedding (who doesn't love being cosy!)
However, bills can go through the roof as it can be an expensive bit of kit to run.
Maybe you're turning the heating up instead and drying things on an airer, but seeing as our utility bills are set to rise by £108 a year, the Money Saving Expert has got a better way.
The appliance in question?
Martin swears by dehumidifiers to make light work of drying your washing.
The finance guru dubs the tumble dryer a 'demon appliance' due to the running costs involved.
Dehumidifiers can help to quickly dry your clothes while also preventing mould, dampness or condensation, and without breaking the bank, too.
Speaking on an episode of the Martin Lewis podcast, he advised: "Many dehumidifiers have different wattages - the one I checked out was 200W.
"Once we know it's 200W and we know a kilowatt is 1,000W, which is how electricity tends to be priced, we know this is a fifth of a kilowatt.
"And you pay roughly 34p per kilowatt per hour. A fifth is 7p, so you're going to pay roughly 7p per hour to run a dehumidifier at 200W, assuming it uses full power the whole time."
That's in comparison to a tumble dryer costing roughly £1 an hour to run.
TikTok users have been sharing their enthusiasm for dehumidifers too.
"I used to live in an old flat and would get so excited emptying [my dehumidifier] every morning!" wrote one.
Another added, "I consider this my prized possession."
One joked (we think!) "My dehumidifier gives me butterflies I swear. Beep at me King, I'll empty your tank."
Meaco MeacoDry Arete One 6L compact dehumidifier
Perfect for smaller spaces, this dehumidifier can help prevent damp, mould and condensation in your home. Plus, its inbuilt HEPA filter removes nano-particles including dust and pollen for cleaner, fresher air all year round.
£129.99
Pro Breeze 20L/Day smart compressor dehumidifier
£199.99
EasyAcc 1200ml electric dehumidifier
£37.59
VonHaus dehumidifier 20L/ day
£169.99
£139.99
ARIBIO 12L/Day dehumidifier for home
£129.99
£34.99
How will a dehumidifier cut costs?
As well as costing a measly 7p an hour instead of £1 an hour, dehumidifiers also help you to reduce the thermostat, cutting heating costs too.
As the name suggests, they tackle humidity levels in the home, and reducing the heating by just 2°C can knock up to 15% from your energy bills.
Drying clothes can add two litres of water to the air, which can cause condensation, damp and mould, making your radiators work harder to warm up the air.
Pulling moisture out of the air makes the environment feel warmer, too.
Humidity in the air can also have the same effect as air conditioning, where water cools on your skin and makes you feel chilly.
Some dehumidifiers automatically shut off when they reach the desired humidity level (often about 55 percent), or when the tank is full.
How long it will run for and how much will be removed depends on the tank size, as well.
Topics: Cost of Living, Money, Martin Lewis
Jen Thomas