Money saving guru Martin Lewis has issued a stark warning to households across the UK, urging them to steer clear of a common but costly 'demon appliance' as they grapple with winter energy bills.
The High Cost of Drying Laundry Indoors
With colder weather setting in, many Brits face the perennial challenge of drying clothes inside their homes. This often leads to unwanted damp, condensation, and the growth of mould and mildew. While a tumble dryer might seem like a convenient solution, Martin Lewis cautions that it is a major drain on finances. Speaking on The Martin Lewis Podcast, available on BBC Sounds, Spotify, and Apple Music, the founder of Money Saving Expert highlighted these appliances as prime examples of 'demon appliances' that consumers should avoid due to their exorbitant running costs.
Energy supplier Utilita estimates that using a tumble dryer can cost between 53p and a staggering £1 per hour to run. For families watching every penny, this can add a significant amount to quarterly bills.
The Dehumidifier Alternative: Slash Your Costs
Instead of relying on a tumble dryer, Lewis advocates for a far more economical alternative: a dehumidifier. These devices efficiently extract moisture from the air, drying clothes effectively while preventing the damp conditions that cause mould. Crucially, they cost a fraction of the price to operate.
Lewis broke down the numbers, using a 200W dehumidifier as an example. "A kilowatt is 1,000W," he explained. "This is a fifth of a kilowatt. You pay roughly 34p per kilowatt per hour. A fifth is 7p, so you're going to pay roughly 7p per hour."
Since that calculation, energy unit prices have fallen slightly. Based on this winter's average price of around 26p per kWh, the cost to run that same 200W dehumidifier is now approximately 5.5p per hour. This makes it between ten and twenty times cheaper than using a tumble dryer.
Top Dehumidifier Picks for Drying Laundry
For those considering the switch, several models are well-suited for laundry drying. A Meaco DD8L dehumidifier (£199.99 on Amazon) received a strong five-year review, with the user reporting a "significant reduction" in condensation when used nightly through the colder months.
Other recommended options include:
- The Pro Breeze 12L dehumidifier, which features dedicated laundry drying settings and a large 12-litre water tank.
- Devola's 20L model (£144.99) or its 12L version (£101.99), both of which include an air purifier and operate quietly at just 38db.
- The slimline EcoAir DD1 7L (£179 on Amazon), noted as the quietest option at 34db and ideal for living spaces.
By making this simple switch, households can tackle damp laundry, improve air quality, and protect their wallets from one of winter's most expensive 'demon appliances'.
