‘Essential’ tumble dryer tip to save money and dry clothes ‘faster’

Tumble dryers get a bit of a bad wrap when it comes to energy efficiency. For those in the market for a new dryer, consider one which uses heat pump technology, as these appliances tend to have higher energy efficiency ratings than condenser or vented models. But for those who are just wondering what they can do to make their dryer as energy-efficient as possible, then take a look at these tips to “save money” on energy bills shared by Vivien Fodor, Hotpoint’s Category Manager for Laundry in the UK & Ireland.

Before delving into the tips, the expert urged that when households are buying a tumble dryer they should opt for one with a heat pump. These are tumble dryers that conserve the hot air created and reuse it, making them a lot more energy efficient compared to other types of tumble dryer. 

Vivien said: “Keep your energy consumption to a minimum with a heat pump. Heat pump dryers place less of a strain on energy resources because they don’t get as hot as traditional vented or condenser models. 

“Instead, heat pump dryers effectively recycle and recirculate warm air, reducing energy usage and most importantly, cost.”

Energy saving temple dryer tips

1. Position the dryer somewhere warm, dry, and well-ventilated

While households might be constrained by the design of their home as to where to put a tumble dryer, try to keep that room as well ventilated as possible, especially for those who have a vented dryer. 

The expert said: “While these sound-like instructions for storing food, keep in mind that your dryer will have to work extra hard in cold and damp areas, resulting in higher energy use and higher energy bills. 

“I’m not suggesting that you squeeze your dryer into the cereal cupboard, but we certainly wouldn’t recommend placing it in an external shed or garage.”

A great location for a dryer is next to the washer, as it makes it super convenient to transfer the washing.

This location is typically in the kitchen or any other room with a regular heat source. The warmth from ovens or radiators is useful to keep the room temperature in the optimal zone and reduce the drying time.

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2. Remove lint from the filter

Vivien urged: “It’s essential you clean any lint build-up from your filter before turning on the dryer, as doing so will increase hot-air flow, resulting in faster drying times and ultimately a more cost-effective cycle. So, get your hands dirty (or dusty) and wipe away that lint.”

To remove lint from the filter, open the tumble dryer door. The filter is positioned at the front of the drum in the door opening and is easily lifted out.

The filter will open out like a book so that the inside can be cleaned. Simply wipe any lint away with a damp cloth or a vacuum cleaner can be used to suck up the lint.

If there is a lot of lint build-up, the filter can be washed under running water in the reverse direction of the lint build-up. However, make sure the filter is dry when putting it back into the tumble dryer.

3. Add dryer balls to every load

Tumble dryer balls are an alternative approach to drying and softening laundry without the need for any harsh chemicals. The balls have different tensile strengths and differently shaped softening nodes. 

When added to a drying cycle, these specially shaped nodes work together to lift and separate your laundry, removing creases and softening fibres whilst providing a shortened drying time. 

The balls also retain heat and transfer it to the clothes as they tumble, which speeds up the drying process even further.

The expert instructed: “Place dryer balls into the drum and watch as they untangle your laundry, maximising warm airflow for a quicker and more efficient cycle, whilst looking after your purse strings. 

“Not only that, but Hotpoint’s Dryer Softening Balls help to prevent your laundry from creasing, meaning less ironing and cheaper energy bills.”

4. Fasten duvets and pillowcases

Underwear and other small items seem to have a canny way of finding themselves in bedding when they are not fastened and end up just as wet as they were when they were in the dryer.

To avoid smaller items such as pants and socks getting caught in duvet covers and pillowcases, Vivian recommended fastening up any items that would otherwise be the perfect hiding place for loose pieces of clothing.

She noted: “This way, you’ll avoid the misery and cost of another cycle to dry those sneaky items.”

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