26p to run my tumble drier, isn't that low?

FabuLass · 4 February 2009 at 9:03AM

I have always had a gas tumble dryer as these are supposed to be cheaper to run although more expensive to buy in the first place.

My first machine lasted 12 years and so we felt the extra initial outlay had been re-couped in saving running costs throughout those years, however my current machine is only 2 yrs old and seems to be on it's last legs...we've had repairs but it still isn't right.

Now I'm wondering whether to buy another gas machine (can't really afford it right now) or go for electric (could buy from my catalogue and pay up interest free, although I know they've really figured that in to price!), I'm so worried about my electricity bills shooting up....I already pay £160 per month which I've queried and am told this is correct....so any more'd kill us.

Any advice?

Magentasue · 4 February 2009 at 9:31AM

I've always had a tumble drier but try to minimise its use. I have an airer and hang things over that or on hangers for a day and then iron and air on radiators (no airing cupboard). Non irons get a blast in the tumble drier. Summer, I line dry everything.

Although people think they're most useful with babies and small children, I found it easier then because everything is small and dries quickly. Now with adult sized clothes for six, bedding and towels, I struggle to keep up rotating clothes on the airer.

If you can afford your present bills, don't mind paying a higher DD or bill just for the tumble drier, then with three children, it would be useful. If you don't have radiators, there is a stronger case - I don't put wet washing on radiators but they're very useful for 'airing' ironed bedding, jeans etc. to avoid tumble drying.

shelly · 4 February 2009 at 9:46AM

We have a tumble drier but if it gets turned on for half an hour once a year that's using it alot for us.

We have moved into a newer house than we moved from so now have no airing cupboard. I don't have a washing line outside so everything gets put onto 2 large airers in a spare bedroom. We use one of those multi peg thingys for underwear and have a cheap metal rail for things that are on hangers. Things only usually take 24-48 hours to dry.
Have plenty of spare bedding and towels so am never in a hurry for the freshly washed ones to be dried.

Having said all that there are only 2 adults in the house.

Greenr · 4 February 2009 at 2:05PM

devon_guy wrote: »

I always thought tumble driers were really expensive. I plugged mine into my electric monitor I have and ran it for an hour as I do normally (I had bed linen to dry). After it had stopped it showed a total cost of 26p. I really thought it would be much higher than that. I'm wondering if my meter is faulty now......

Hi, please could you tell me where to buy these electric monitors from?!
Thanks!

espresso · 4 February 2009 at 2:09PM

Greenr wrote: »

Hi, please could you tell me where to buy these electric monitors from?!
Thanks!

Check Lidl from Thursday 12 February, as they are selling a plug-in type energy monitor for £6.84.

daveyjp · 4 February 2009 at 2:13PM

We use ours all year round. It does about 5 or 6 loads a week. Our last quarter leccy bill was about £70, so hardly excessive. The heat helps to keep the kitchen and lounge warm too.

I can think of a lot of things to cut back on before getting rid of the tumble dryer.

sunshinejoclaire · 4 February 2009 at 2:20PM

I agree Davey - there is only 2 adults in our house but our tumble drier is on most weeks for 3-5 loads. I can think of so many things I would give up before my beloved tumble drier.

We are both out at work all day, then both have stuff that keep us busy on the weekend so we don't have the time to peg every load out!

mousegirl · 10 February 2009 at 10:03PM

gosh thanks everyone - still not sure what to do - my gas bill is 100 a month and elect is 55 I think a month and can't really afford for them to go up anymore

i have two pull up airers that I use, plus racks on the radiators, and like another person, I have double bedding for everyone so its not desperate to get stuff washed/dried

think I'll leave it for now and think on it some more as still really unsure what to do, though last two postings make it seem a good idea, the rest don't!!

albyota · 10 February 2009 at 10:17PM

mousegirl, we was in the same boat, struggling to dry clothes, bedding etc.. both out at work, thought I would try out a dehumidifier, and found that if in a smallish room on airers loaded at 8.00pm ish everything is dry by the morning and it is only costing about 32p. hope this helps .....correction it goes off automatically after it has removed 2 litres of moisture so its not 32p...that was calculating running for 12 hours, dohh.. its more like 7 hrs at 280w per hour at 9p/kWh more like 18p..I think

lynn2 · 10 February 2009 at 10:41PM

Mousegirl, your electric and gas usage is roughly the same as mine (which I still think is way too high)
On the tenth of every month, I read the meters and input them online to Scottish Power.
For the first time ever, I decided not to use the tumble drier from the 10th Jan - until today (10th Feb)
I have worked out that I saved £8.14 this month on electric which isn't as much as I was hoping, but I shall carry on not using the tumble drier. We are managing fine without it.

26p to run my tumble drier, isn't that low?

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