As temperatures are starting to drop, people may now be struggling to get their washing dry indoors. But experts are warning that drying clothes on radiators should be avoided
Families across the UK are being cautioned against hanging wet clothes on their radiators during the autumn and winter months.
As the mercury begins to fall, households may find themselves battling to get their washing dried inside. With energy costs soaring following the energy price cap rise, operating tumble dryers can prove costly.
As an alternative, many people opt to place their garments on radiators for quick drying and convenience. However, despite being a widespread habit, specialists are cautioning that this practice should be steered clear of.
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Zoe Morris, savings expert at VoucherCodes.co.uk, has dispelled some of the most significant energy misconceptions that could potentially be adding hundreds to your annual expenses.
The specialist has disclosed how reducing the thermostat isn’t always the most efficient method to slash bills, and that keeping your heating on a low setting throughout the day may be more expensive than anticipated, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Zoe has also recommended that drying garments on radiators isn’t sensible. She warns: “When the weather turns colder, many households skip the expensive tumble dryer and turn to radiators instead. It feels like a free way to dry laundry while heating the house – but in reality, it could be costing you more than you realise.”
“Draping clothes directly on radiators blocks heat, meaning your boiler has to work harder (and longer) to warm the room. It also increases condensation indoors, which can lead to damp and mould over time.” Zoe suggests using an airer near a radiator to dry clothes, allowing them to benefit from the heat without obstructing it.
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“For even more efficiency, a dehumidifier is one of the cheapest ways to speed up clothes drying indoors. It uses far less electricity than a tumble dryer, and also helps prevent damp, making it a double win for your wallet and your home,” Zoe advises.
However, other experts have cautioned against the common habit of draping wet laundry on radiators to hasten the drying process. Mark Carter, director of Shutterstore UK, highlighted several issues with this method in a conversation with Ideal Home.”
By placing clothes on your radiator you are blocking the heat from coming out of the radiator and circulating around the room properly,” Mark clarified.
He further explained that this technique traps heat beneath the clothes, forcing heating systems to use more energy than necessary while failing to effectively warm rooms.