A CLOTHES dryer is an effective way of drying clothes, particularly in winter when warm clothes are a luxury before stepping out into the elements.
But are they expensive to run?
Anna Duncan, laundry product manager for Fisher and Paykel, said the average dryer load size was 3 kilograms.
"The power consumed to dry a 3 kilogram load is 1.78 kiloWatt hours, so if you pay 20 cents per kiloWatt hour it will cost 36 cents to dry this load," she said. "If you pay 25 cents per kiloWatt hour it will cost 44 cents. If it costs 30 cents per kiloWatt hour it will cost 53 cents.
"The average household does seven loads a week, so it costs between $2.52 and $3.71 to dry the week's clothes. That's about the cost of a coffee, isn't it?"
Dryer choice is also important.
"You can buy vented dryers or condensing dryers. Vented dryers vent the warm moisture to the outside via a hose.
"In condensing dryers this moisture is collected into a container or drained down the washer outlet via a tube. Condensing dryers cost a bit more but installation is easier because you don't have to vent."
Ms Duncan said it was better to use a dryer than leave your clothes damp.
"Micro-organisms actually multiply when clothes are left on the line damp for periods of time," she said.
Clothes drying tips from Fisher & Paykel
Five minutes in the dryer with remove most creases from a dry shirt.
Dryers are good for killing dust mites. Tumble soft toys on the hot setting and the heat will kill the mites.
Sensing dryers are more efficient because they turn off automatically when the clothes are dry.
Dryers that vent to the outside are more efficient than dryers that vent into a room. Keeping the lint filter clear of lint and the area around the dryer free of lint and any obstructions is essential to getting good air flow and maximising efficiency.
Spinning clothes at the highest spin speed possible before placing them in the dryer will reduce drying time.
Use a lower drying temperature to dry delicate items or anything that might shrink.
Putting a few tennis balls or a knotted towel in the dryer when drying a feather doona will help fluff it up - dry doonas on delicate and check often.
Put sheets that have been stored for a while in the dryer for a 10 minutes to freshen before placing them on the bed.
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