Would an electric fire and a tumble dryer be more economic than the gch being on 24/7

LucyLoo2_3

We have recently moved to a period terrace from a new build semi, (rented) we have been on estimated combined gas and electricity for the last 4 years. After giving our final meter reading when we moved out we have been landed with a £1600 bill, neither me or my housemate can afford, so we have had no choice but to go on a meter, and are unable to change supplier (Scottish Power) until the arrears have been paid off (approx 2012!!) Anyway at the old house, in winter, we relied on radiators for drying clothes and airers, also for heating the house, which was open plan, low ceilings, retained heat fairly easily (we were often found with heating on and windows open as we were too hot but had washing too dry!) New house has few radiators (which are close to walls so difficult to dry clothes on) I'm worried it's going to be cold in winter, so have been considering a dryer, but been put off by the amount of electric they use? Also was thinking if we had a dryer, and got an electric fire for the front room, to keep in there nice and warm (would prefer gas, but electric we could take if we move) where we spend the majority of our time, it would be cheaper than having the central heating on all the time?

Any help would be appreciated as don't want this option to end up costing us even more!!

Magentasue

Why would you need the CH on all the time? How many of you are there? While I admit that I use a tumble drier in the winter, that's because there are six of us. Until baby number two arrived, tumble drying was a luxury rather than a necessity.

I would have thought, in a new build, gas CH would be most economical, drying clothes on airers and finishing off over radiators. If there are a lot of you, tumble driers make life sooo much easier.

judy2357

As regards your washing I think that planning your washing ahead would help you considerably. In other words dont wait until you want to wear something to wash it and then need to use the tumbler as it will work out expensive. This is what my son does and therefore it costs extra money to wash one t shirt on its own followed by one t shirt going around in the tumbler for 40 mins. A clothes horse is a good investment and I would suggest having your CH come on for about an hour in the morning and maybe an hour in the evening. The clothes will easily dry over 24 hrs or so.

LucyLoo2_3

Thanks for the reply, we are no longer in the new build, now in a larger draughtier terrace, there are 2 adults, myself and my housemate, who has recently had a baby (and the washer seems to be on constantly! also she is at home all day, although she is going back to work in November) have never had a dryer in my life, and am thinking it would be a luxury! However with the wet summer and the loss of a large bannister for towels and bedding, just imagining winter to be a nightmare, the radiators are all set really close to the wall, so OK for drying small items but can't get a duvet cover or anything behind it, not got masses of space for maidens etc either! The dog has a habit of knocking them over, walking on all the washing, or hiding it in her bed, and then it needs washing again!:rotfl:

What about electric fires? are they expensive to run? I guess I already know the answer for the dryer....

Magentasue

www.changeworks.org.uk/uploads/wat/Heating_Comparison.pdf

Not sure if the link will work. My tumble drier costs about 2units (kwh) an hour to run. Baby clothes are easy to dry - there's just so many of them! Maybe an airer over the bath? Do you have an airing cupboard? If so, you could get a production line going - hang over airers, blast on radiator in the evening and then into airing cupboard.

My SIL hardly ever washed duvet covers because she used to use top sheets under the duvet so there were only sheets to wash.

My preference would be to heat the house with gas CH when you're home, dry the washing overnight on airers and use radiators to finish off. Second would be tumble drier but, TBH, I would resist if I knew I couldn't afford it. Last resort would be electric heaters. How many kwh of electricity do you use (a day/week/month?) at present?

tobykim

I very rarely use my dryer only if I'm absolutely desperate as I grudge the amount it costs, all my stuff goes out on the line

pawpurrs

Cant see why its so difficult to dry clothes? Put a line outside and even in winter on a non rainy day they are dry normally within the day. Use a shelia maid for when it isnt. Never had a tumble dryer in my life.

sad_dog_lady

get a clothes horse and a dehumidifier, much cheaper to run than a tumble dryer and stops your house getting damp too .!