Allotments 4 All

 does it cost to run a tumble dryer twice a week about an hour each time are they very expensive, i have heard conflicting reports.
Feel the need to get one.

Tumble dryers do speed up the electricity meter.  I have just done a search and came across these answers.  There are a few answers here:

http://www.google.com/search?q=how+much+to+run+a+tumble+dryer&rls=com.microsoft:en-GB:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7ADFA_en

It depends on the machine.  4 units per cycle is pretty typical - so that's about 40p/cycle.  Checkout the John Lewis site, it tells you how many units/cycle for each machine (1 kWh == 1 unit).  The cost of your electricity varies, but you'll not be far out if you assume 10p/unit.

we used to have one,but got shut of it in the end and we never used it,too concerned about the cost and the enviroment also much prefer washing fresh from the line.of course,not everyone can have a washing line

Mine is running at the moment, my meter is saying 25p/hour, take off 5p/hour for lights/computer so 20p per hour.

A load takes rather more than an hour, so a load probably cost 35-45p per time.

Don't use it too much, washing goes on the line when the weather is good enough.

you all spend mony on your plot....why not the washing
its only mony......you cant take it with you!!!!

I know how you feel, I've got washing hanging up all round downstairs hoping it will dry out.  Much as I'd love to put it out on the line, which I could do, the weather dictates that it will come in pretty much as it went out, so that's not an option at present.  Socks and pants are drying well on the radiator, but to me the big reason for a tumble dryer would be soft towels .... sod it, they're as hard (and scratchy) as well without some air going through them as they dry (regardless of added conditioner). ::)

Quote from: jimtheworzel on December 13, 2009, 00:32:01
you all spend mony on your plot....why not the washing
its only mony......you cant take it with you!!!!

dont you think the environment is a concern here too jim?  its not just money?
we have a washing line at the plot too,just havnt the balls to actually use it yet,fear of ridicule etc hahahaha

It also depends what happens to the warm damp air. If its lost to the outside then yes is may well cost as much as a two bar fire, however that heat could also used for something else, like the house (if the damp isn't too much) or the greenhouse, particularly on a frosty night.

I overwinter some of my tender plants in the garage, and this is where my machine vents to. I make a point of drying cloths in the middle of a icy withers night, it may not make that much difference, but the difference between 2 degrees and 5 can see a plant though the winter.

Not the cost but another thing that might be useful.. if you don't overload it and you use Bounce pads you will rare;ly have to iron anything..  all my stuff that goes through my dryer comes out  practically wrinkle free. Second point, if you are thinking about an under the counter one, consider a condenser dryer as  it doesn't need to be vented and  the interior is bigger, this was a very big thing for us after being used to big US dryers.. and there is another point... you can now get the US style  ones in the UK and they hold heaps more but they don't go under the counter.

XX Jeannine

We haven't used ours for years, I watched the leccie dial fly round once and that was enough for me.
It's under the stairs now with my Stella fridge on top of it, the only spinning its conected with now is the affects the Stella has on my head.   ;)     ;D ;D ;D

Haven't needed to use one for years now.  Have an old fashioned thing to hang it all on (no not my OH!) but there is only two of us.
I also never iron anything - ever!

It really boils down to how much you use it. I use mine about twice a week in the winter & my bill is not much higher than the summer.
Another little tip - don't use conditioner on towels as it prevents them from drying you properly.

When our old faithful broke down a couple of years ago we decided not to replace it to do a little bit for the planet- and the purse. The time I miss it most is when it rains in the summer- no radiators on then!

Btw,we got an elec.monitor recently(m-i-l got it free  from British Gas) and the most scary thing is the energy used by two 3-spot lights in the kitchen- troubleis, energy-saving bulbs for them cost a fortune!

We recently had a new boiler fitted & lost the airing cupboard. OH goes mad if I use the radiators & I only use the TD for pants socks etc, 90 mins per week. Our neighbour has an electric airer that costs less than 2p per (Lakeland do one) hour to run & they are letting us try it over Christmas as they are away.

 Granny please let me know what you think about the airer thanks.

Thank you all very much for your input very interesting.