British households could save significant money on their energy bills this winter with a remarkably simple ten-second trick that boosts tumble dryer efficiency. Experts reveal that properly organising laundry before drying can dramatically reduce electricity consumption and running costs.
The Costly Reality of Tumble Dryers
Tumble dryers rank among the most expensive appliances to run in UK homes, typically adding £131 to the average household's annual energy expenditure. Their substantial electricity consumption makes them a significant contributor to energy bills, particularly during colder months when air-drying clothes becomes impractical.
For families with substantial washing loads or those needing garments dried quickly, tumble dryers remain an essential household appliance. However, most people aren't using their dryers efficiently, leading to unnecessary energy waste and higher costs.
The Simple Separation Solution
Specialists at Save Money Cut Carbon have identified a straightforward method to enhance tumble dryer performance while reducing expenses. The technique involves simply untangling and separating washing before transferring it from the washing machine to the dryer.
"All of your items are likely to bundle together in the washing machine," explained the energy efficiency experts. "Before popping everything in the dryer, make sure you untangle and separate them first. This ensures that everything will dry quicker and evenly, meaning lower energy consumption."
Why This Simple Method Works
When clothing becomes tangled inside the tumble dryer, heated air cannot circulate properly around the fabric. This inefficient airflow leads to extended drying cycles as the machine struggles to eliminate dampness completely.
Most modern tumble dryers feature moisture detection technology. When laundry remains bunched together in the centre, the sensor continues operating the cycle despite some garments being adequately dried. This results in the dryer running longer than necessary, consuming additional electricity.
Spending just a few minutes properly arranging your laundry accelerates the drying process and decreases operational time. Sorting laundry by fabric type provides additional benefits, as heavier items like towels and jeans require longer drying periods than lighter garments.
Additional Efficiency Tips
Many households mistakenly believe that overloading their tumble dryer saves money by drying more clothes simultaneously. However, cramming the machine to maximum capacity actually extends cycle duration and increases costs.
Running two separate, properly loaded cycles proves more efficient than one overloaded cycle. If you have substantial laundry to tackle, starting the second load immediately after the first completes takes advantage of the already-warm dryer, reducing heat-up time.
Another effective strategy involves putting washed clothes through an additional quick spin cycle before transferring them to the dryer. This removes excess moisture, significantly speeding up the subsequent drying process.
These straightforward techniques require minimal effort but can substantially reduce energy usage, helping British households save money on electricity bills during the expensive winter months.
