Use a dehumidifier or heater to dry clothes?

littleteapot

The other benefit of using a dehumidifier is that the phase state change of water from vapour to liquid actually *releases* energy, so a dehumidifer running in a damp room will actually output more heat than its electricity consumption would imply. Not much more, but every little helps.

This is the exact opposite of what happens when liquid water is converted into a vapour - energy is *used* to convert liquid water into steam.

calleyw

A dehumidifier will be better.  I have 2 but the one I use for clothes drying has a side vent which I point towards the airer.  I found a way to get it dry slightly quicker.  I had a sheet I was drying over the top with damp towels and other washing under neath.  There was  gap on the side of the airer.  Point the vent on the dehumidifier at the gap in the sheet.  Set it to run for 4 hours.  Next morning even the really damp towels where dry.  So will try that again.  Of course do NOT cover the dehumidifier with anything

EssexHebridean

Astria said:

If you have a head pump drier they are very efficient, but I find dehumidifiers can be very efficient also and also provide other benefits.

Last time I did some washing, I put the dehumidifier in the middle of the clothes horse so the output air was directly on the washing, it did a surprisingly good job of drying the washing. I did leave it on for about 6 hours though! At the highest point it recorded the humidity at 85% and when it had finished it was 55%.

This really depends on the sort of dehumidifier you have though - ours says it requires more clear space round it than would be possible in that situation. Definitely something to check the user manual about. 

Qyburn

littleteapot said:

The other benefit of using a dehumidifier is that the phase state change of water from vapour to liquid actually *releases* energy, so a dehumidifer running in a damp room will actually output more heat than its electricity consumption would imply. Not much more, but every little helps.

This is the exact opposite of what happens when liquid water is converted into a vapour - energy is *used* to convert liquid water into steam.

For drying clothes that will mostly cancel out, as the water has to be evaporated from the clothing before it can be condensed by the dehumidifier. But better than that heat being lost out of the window.

scobie

wittynamegoeshere said:

If you want a dehumidifier and heater to dry your laundry then the best option is a heat pump tumble dryer, this is basically a heated dehumidifier blowing through a drum while your clothes are tumbled about in the path of it.

This is more efficient than using multiple appliances to do the same job, it probably costs more upfront but will save money in the long term and also prevents the moisture from the laundry getting into the air in the house.

The days of tumble drying being an expensive luxury are in the past, it's often cheaper than drying inside the house if using a heat pump dryer.  Also they don't shrink and crinkle fabrics as much as the older types did, which basically cooked the water out of the fabric.  Clothes will be in much better condition than when hung on a rack, they're soft and fluffy and don't have any lines or folds imprinted on them.  It's also a lot less hassle, just tip a full load of washing in instead of all that folding and dangling chore that we used to endure before getting one.  Plus wash day is over and done with in a few hours.

I’m glad someone said this. It amazes me that people shed out 150-200 for one of those heated clothes rack which cost around 50 p to dry a load based on 10p an hour, when a tumble dryer load costs me (at least) 70p max and it’s all done and sorted within 40 mins 

wittynamegoeshere

I'm pretty sure my dryer's nothing like 70p for a full load, more like half that, and it takes an unbelievable amount.  I swear it's bigger inside than out.

Times have definitely changed.  Hanging wet washing actively cools the room, making the heating use more power, and all that moisture you end up with either needs taking back out of the air using even more power or it ends up as mould and damp.  It's not obviously apparent, but drying indoors may appear to be cheap or even free but in fact can be very expensive, financially and otherwise.

Spoonie_Turtle

wittynamegoeshere said:

The days of tumble drying being an expensive luxury are in the past, it's often cheaper than drying inside the house if using a heat pump dryer.  

Not for those of us with the old style tumble dryers.  Not everyone can afford to replace appliances with newer, more energy efficient ones.

wittynamegoeshere

They're pretty affordable though, not the sort of money involved in getting an electric car or heat pump heating system.  You get a return on that investment, plus I'd put a fair bit of value on not having a home full of wet washing, especially in a home that's already known to be damp anyway.

Spoonie_Turtle

wittynamegoeshere said:

They're pretty affordable though, not the sort of money involved in getting an electric car or heat pump heating system.  You get a return on that investment, plus I'd put a fair bit of value on not having a home full of wet washing, especially in a home that's already known to be damp anyway.

Affordability is relative.  Multiple hundreds of pounds puts them in the 'considered purchase to be saved up for' category for a lot of people, similar to any new energy efficient appliances like that.  Return on investment is great but relies one being able to invest in the first place.  Which, granted, the OP may be able to, it was just your generalised statement that I disagreed with.

mttylad

We have the Meaco 20L dehumidifier, at this time of year we use it often as it does pull a lot of moisture out of the air, esp when showers are taken or clothes are dried.
We will be getting another in the new year, cannot recommend it enough.