The cost of living... what can we do?

Still gas, by a very long way.

 

We have one - a Bosch which cost a bleedin' fortune when we bought it (£900 from memory) - it is very good, although emptying the tank out is a pain in the backside at times. It can be fitted with a drain kit, but I've never bothered with it. They are more energy efficient than other dryers, but (and it is a big but) they still use quite a lot of energy - ours has essentially been an ornament for the past 12 months.

 

Jocko has explained it well.

Here are the 3 types, I've only ever had the vented type which are the worst for wasting heat/energy.

Vented vs Condenser vs Heat Pump: Which Tumble Dryer? | Beko

 

We have a vented type and the research I did prior to buying showed the outlay plus usage costs over the life expected life of the product made it quite a bit cheaper than the other two options. I didn't even think about looking at energy efficiency, only cost.

There is an added effect to our vented one. We vent it out of the window and drop the hose fairly low over the flower bed below. The less hardy plants beneath survive very well through the winter.

 

You're correct that energy wise it is better but not cost wise.

 

That takes me back

When I was a kid it was my job to operate the mangle after mum did the wash and there was a large bucket underneath. My sister's job was to hang it on the line as she is three years older and was taller.

 

I've never been a fan of tumble dryers as they've always been expensive to run and the clothes never come out really fresh.
My last machine was a washer/dryer and lasted years, I recently replaced it with a hoopy doopy washing machine but clothes are placed on airers and either put outside or in the kitchen. Can put them in the utility room but space is pretty cramped!
Underfloor heating means it all dries well and the windows are all vented so no moisture build up