Cost of electric for a dryer...

inaspin_3

I don't know if this in the right part, but I hope someone can help. My condenser dryer has broken on me for the fifth time, I don't think it likes being repaired so I am going to get rid of it. My question is, do I buy a new one costing approx £200 and the electricity to keep it running.... or use my clothes horse and the line (when dry) and a laundrette for when I can't dry anymore. I don't know how much a laundrette would cost to dry clothes and I have no idea how much it costs to run a dryer (though I can imagine it would be quite high) Which do people think would be cheaper? Any thoughts would be great.

Cardew

The average condensing dryer uses between 2kWh and 4kWh for a full load.

Say 20p to 40p a load.

1carminestocky

I hate tumble dryers and refuse to use ours (although my wife doesn't share my beliefs on this one). We have reached an uneasy truce - as I work from home I am now in charge of observing the weather foreacts and doing the washing on the days when there is a chance of line drying. Working OK so far...although I recognise the really stressful seasons with regard to line drying are not yet upon us. I have a contingency plan that involves the space under the bedroom extension, though...

1carminestocky

Of course, there's always an alternative if you really MUST have utilities-assised drying power. No idea how effective it is but, on an hourly rate and one-off cost basis, certainly far cheaper than a tumble dryer. NOT a recommendation, btw...

jackieb

I moved house in June, and put our dryer in the garage as there was not really a place for it in the house*. I know it's been summer but i've used it twice since - and I normally use it quite a bit (even in summer as it's usually quite wet!) The only reason I haven't been using it is because it's inconvenient to have to go out there. I can't say i've missed it. I have a clothes horse, and recently bought one for over the bath too. There are 6 of us in the house, so lots of washing. I definitely don't think i'll be using it as much this year, even when winter sets in. The cost of electricity has also came into consideration though.

* We've since reconfigured and replaced the kitchen and have space, but dh won't let me take the dryer back in. He says it causes too much dust, even though I clean the filter after every use.

1carminestocky

jackieb wrote: »

I moved house in June, and put our dryer in the garage as there was not really a place for it in the house. I know it's been summer but i've used it twice since - and I normally use it quite a bit (even in summer as it's usually quite wet!) The only reason I haven't been using it is because it's inconvenient to have to go out there. I can't say i've missed it. I have a clothes horse, and recently bought one for over the bath too. There are 6 of us in the house, so lots of washing. I definitely don't think i'll be using it as much this year, even when winter sets in. The cost of electricity has also came into consideration though.

I agree absolutely! I genuinely now believe tumble dryers are for lazy people (I would have included us in that description until very recently!) Example: yesterday here (Yorkshire) was a fantastic 'drying day' (warm and breezy). We washed and dried 3 loads of washing without recourse to giving any of our hard-earned to the utility company (obviously there were costs associated with washing but they pale into insignificance compred to drying costs). Our best friends across the road have yet to see the light (even though they earn considerably less income than us and are always bemoaning their lack of funds), had the tumble dryer going for the best part of the day! Crazy! Like I have said before, with us it's not particularly about not being able to afford the cost, it's more to do with not giving the energy companies a penny more than we absolutely have to!

Dreamnine

No- I don't like them and don't own one either.

inaspin_3

Thank you all for your replies. I do get the washing on the line as much as possible.... have three lines in our backgarden! hehe. My only problem is I am using re-usable nappies for my little girl (I don't know if any of you has ever used them, but just incase: there are lots of layers of material) so a REAL pain to dry if I can't get them on the line, even on the clothes horse as there is no heating on in the house atm. 1carminestocky... do you have one of the electric clothes horses, do you know if they are any good?

1carminestocky

inaspin wrote: »

Thank you all for your replies. I do get the washing on the line as much as possible.... have three lines in our backgarden! hehe. My only problem is I am using re-usable nappies for my little girl (I don't know if any of you has ever used them, but just incase: there are lots of layers of material) so a REAL pain to dry if I can't get them on the line, even on the clothes horse as there is no heating on in the house atm. 1carminestocky... do you have one of the electric clothes horses, do you know if they are any good?

Hi inaspin, no, like I said in my original post I have no idea how effective it is as I don't have one, I'm afraid. The only reason I became aware of its existence is because I read about it in the Remoska thread (Now, I DO have one of those and would recommend it wholeheartedly!)...

whatatwit

Before you make any decisions, check with your launderette about drying only, many will not allow it, or you will be restricted to the times you can dry only.
Unless your launderette is unmanned at certain times and then it will be a free for all

If you do go down the launderette route for the heavy items, then use the spin dryer if there is one and do bear in mind that the dryers will hold a lot of washing.
But, as the majority of commercial dryers are gas run, then there will be increases in the costs, although it will be probably done by reducing the time given per 20p/50p.

Magentasue

Forget the launderette. Line dry when you can and, when you can't, you have the choice of airers or an energy efficient tumble drier. If you look at this page:

http://www.sust-it.net/energy_saving.php?id=41&electricity=14&company=

... you'll see that they rate them at between about 50p - £1.25 a 'cycle'. If you can't afford to run a dryer, fast spin, airer and radiators will work if you are organised. A heated airer is probably cheaper to run than a tumble drier but they need room and you need to move the clothes around as they dry.

I've always had a tumble drier but couldn't afford to use it when my babies were small (ordinary terry nappies). After my third, I felt it was a necessity. I couldn't get work overalls, toddler clothes, school uniforms and nappies all dry to a schedule when it rained non stop without one. Now there are six of us wearing adult clothes, there's no room to hang everything indoors so I use the tumble drier throughout the winter. That said, I can afford to do so and I'm not going to feel guilty about it! You can cut down the amount of tumble drying by hanging (outside if it's dry but dull, inside on an airer) during the day and then tumble drying rather than putting things in straight from the washing machine.