Is it cheaper to do one full tumble dryer load or two halves?

[T & P]

Yes, I know it’s cheaper to air dry clothes or put them on radiators, but never mind that. Given that tumble dryers are apparently among the costliest to use, I’d be interested to know if two half loads might actually be cheaper than a full one for your average 6-7 kg washing machine load…

 

[magneze]

Doubtful. Depending on the dryer it might not be much more expensive though

 

[platinumsage]

Why stop at two loads - maybe ten tenth loads would work out even cheaper?

 

[T & P]

Why stop at two loads - maybe ten tenth loads would work out even cheaper?

It’s not as silly as you might think it is. Dryers become very inefficient as the amount of clothes in drum increases. There’s a sweet spot to be had.

 

[moochedit]

I'm not sure if it is cheaper but i find it dries the clothes better if i don't put too much in at once. Too many towels and it doesn't work at all.

 

[8ball]

I'm not sure if it is cheaper but i find it dries the clothes better if i don't put too much in at once. Too many towels and it doesn't work at all.

I think if the clothes come out still wet we’re not counting it as “cheaper”.

If anyone disagrees I reckon 100 loads with the dryer on for one second per load blows it out of the park efficiency-wise.

 

[Hollis]

Goggling suggests the sweet spot is 2/3rds to 3/4 full with similar fabrics together.

I guess it’s all about making optimum use of hot air.

 

[JimW]

I guess it’s all about making optimum use of hot air.

But enough about Urban, what do you reckon about tumble driers?

 

[rubbershoes]

I'm not sure if it is cheaper but i find it dries the clothes better if i don't put too much in at once. Too many towels and it doesn't work at all.

Cos they can't tumble . They're just being heated slowly

 

[kabbes]

Goggling suggests the sweet spot is 2/3rds to 3/4 full with similar fabrics together.

I guess it’s all about making optimum use of hot air.

But in the (kind of) unlikely event that you have exactly one load to do, is it then better to split it into one 2/3 load and one 1/3 load, two loads of 1/2 or keep it as one load?

 

[Supine]

But in the (kind of) unlikely event that you have exactly one load to do, is it then better to split it into one 2/3 load and one 1/3 load, two loads of 1/2 or keep it as one load?

Define better

 

[kabbes]

Define better

Least energy for an acceptable level of dryness

 

[Supine]

Least energy for an acceptable level of dryness

Good answer - so drying naturally not in a tumble drier

 

[Riklet]

One load at 2/3rds and air dry the rest.

Cheating option sorry.

 

[platinumsage]

Does drying naturally use more energy than a tumble dryer?

 

[magneze]

Need to factor in the cost of mould?

 

[prunus]

If we assume that: there is a maximal efficiency load (let's call it 2/3 full), and that energy usage is roughly linearly proportional to the amount of moisture that has to be removed up to that loading; then I would suggest an initial load of 1/3, with the other 2/3 air drying in the time it takes the first 1/3 load to complete, then the now drier 2/3.

 

[Chz]

Does drying naturally use more energy than a tumble dryer?

Depends on whether you're running a dehumidifier or turning up the heat to compensate. If you're happy as a clam in a damp, cool room then you're laughing about the cash you've saved. Even if you are compensating, it's probably still cheaper than a heat element tumble dryer, but quite probably not more efficient than a heat pump tumble.

My solution to the question of how much to fill the dryer was to buy an 8kg washer and a 9kg dryer, so I can't overfill it without putting some effort into stuffing clothes in.

 

[platinumsage]

Depends on whether you're running a dehumidifier or turning up the heat to compensate. If you're happy as a clam in a damp, cool room then you're laughing about the cash you've saved. Even if you are compensating, it's probably still cheaper than a heat element tumble dryer, but quite probably not more efficient than a heat pump tumble.

Saving money and energy use are different things. If you dry washing outdoors on a line in the wind and sun, it still takes energy to dry.

 

[Chz]

Despite it being bloody obvious, I'm still always amazed at the power of sunlight. I have one of those EcoDrive watches, and it says it needs x number of hours under a 100W equivalent bulb to charge up. Or 5 minutes in direct sunlight.

 

[8ball]

Does drying naturally use more energy than a tumble dryer?

I think creating a supermassive fusion explosion around 100 million miles from your laundry is going to cost you.

 

[Supine]

I think creating a supermassive fusion explosion around 100 million miles from your laundry is going to cost you.

Nah - already done so free usage allowed

 

[8ball]

Nah - already done so free usage allowed

That wasn’t the question.

 

[cybershot]

Throw a clean towel in with it for 15 mins it sucks up the moisture even quicker. Then hang dry the towel.

White tennis balls also work.

Actually wring it out before putting it into the tumble drier.

Easy quick stuff that can save you a few quid and use less energy/time

 

[farmerbarleymow]

I put two washing machine loads in mine each time as it's got a large capacity. Dries stuff pretty quickly all things considered but probably costs a fortune to run.

 

[DotCommunist]

a tumble drier load? in this economy? Unthinkable. Whats next, just eating pureed money

 

[WouldBe]

Saving money and energy use are different things. If you dry washing outdoors on a line in the wind and sun, it still takes energy to dry.

Yeah but you don't pay for it.

 

[farmerbarleymow]

a tumble drier load? in this economy? Unthinkable. Whats next, just eating pureed money

They're OK if you don't run them all the time. This is the one I've got - to be honest it's worth the leccy cost compared to having a clothes horse cluttering up the place.

Tumble dryers: heat pump, condenser or built-in | Hoover

Hoover condensing and heat pump tumble dryers dry your clothes perfectly guaranteeing the care of fabrics and colours. Discover our small tumble dryers now!

www.hoover.co.uk

 

[farmerbarleymow]

Yeah but you don't pay for it.

You still have to buy pegs and a washing line, so it's not free. No idea how much pegs cost these days - guess they're about the same as the running costs for a tumble drier.

And you can't dry clothes outside if you don't have a garden or back yard thing - well, you could buy they'd probably get nicked.

 

[skyscraper101]

They're OK if you don't run them all the time. This is the one I've got - to be honest it's worth the leccy cost compared to having a clothes horse cluttering up the place.

Tumble dryers: heat pump, condenser or built-in | Hoover

Hoover condensing and heat pump tumble dryers dry your clothes perfectly guaranteeing the care of fabrics and colours. Discover our small tumble dryers now!

www.hoover.co.uk

Yeah I frickin hate clothes horses. Always getting in the way and just making the place look messy. Also in the depths of winter you have to have the heating on anyway or they take forever and a day to dry. Tumble dryers FTW.