How to boost the energy efficiency of your tumble dryer

A tumble dryer is one of the most important appliances in a household. Not only do they save you time, but they're quick and easy to use and prevent dampness and mould that could occur from hanging clothes indoors. But be careful not to abuse them – if you don’t take care of them, your energy bills will go through the roof. Here are a few tips to help you make your tumble dryer as energy efficient as possible.

1. Don’t overload it – Of course, we appreciate that putting in small loads will not be energy efficient however, the same goes for overloading your tumble dryer. When you stuff your tumble dryer full of clothes over the maximum weight it can handle you put pressure on the appliance's motor. This in turn means your appliance is working twice as hard and using twice the energy to do its job.
   
   
2. Use a high-speed spin – This is a piece of advice you can utilise before you pop your clothes in the tumble dryer. Putting your washing on a high-speed spin in your washing machine prior means your washing should contain a lot less water – making it quicker and easier for your tumble dryer to dry your clothes efficiently.
   
   
3. Check your ventilation – Tumble dryers suck the air surrounding them in, therefore if your tumble dryer is in your draughty cold garage, it may be time to reconsider where you have it placed in your home. On average your tumble dryer will work 3 times harder placed in a cold environment like a garage, in comparison to your kitchen.
   
   
4. Clean your filters – Tumble dryers collate an awful lot of ‘fluff’ as it dries your clothes, and this collects all up in your lint filter. When this filter becomes full of fluff your clothes can take a lot longer to dry. Dedicate some time once a week just to make sure your filter has been properly cleaned.
   
   
5. Ensure you have purchased an energy-efficient tumble dryer – there are many on the market and ‘which?' offer a very helpful guide to ensure you find the middle ground between upfront cost and ensuring you find a model that won’t create extortionate running costs.
   
   
6. Invest in tumble dryer balls – Tumble dryer balls are a natural way to soften fabrics, but they also lift and separate washing, which speeds up the drying time – making your tumble dryer more energy efficient. You can find various kinds of tumble dryer balls online for under £5.

Whatever tumble dryer you may have, ensure you are getting the most energy-efficient performance out of it by following our tips and advice to keep your energy bill as low as possible this winter.