Too expensive to run a dryer? It doesn't have to be

The short version: Heat pump dryers cost significantly less to run than traditional vented dryers. They cost more upfront, but that difference can often be recouped within a few years through lower electricity bills. Entry-level heat pump models start from under $600, making them more accessible than they used to be. Drying racks can be useful for some fabrics, but cool indoor conditions and poor ventilation can lead to musty odours, condensation, mildew and even mould over time. To cut drying times and costs, use a high spin speed at the end of the laundry wash cycle, run your dryer in off-peak energy times or even 'free' Solar Sharer hours.

• The stale smell: Ever noticed your clothes smell bad when they’ve taken a long time to line dry inside? That musty smell is caused by the gases given off as bacteria and mildew start to grow on the damp fabric within a few hours of being hung up. Without proper air movement, evaporation happens too slowly, creating the perfect breeding ground for these fungi.

• The indoor rainforest effect: Even a damp load of laundry that finishes on a high spin speed of 1200-1400RPM can hold litres of water. As it dries, that water evaporates into the air in your home. If you have your heater running and the windows shut - which most of us will in winter - that moisture hits cold surfaces (like windows and walls), creating condensation.

• Mould and health risks: Over time, this trapped moisture can cause damp spots and structural mould growth.

To minimise the downsides of indoor drying racks, you’ll need to either run an air conditioner on dry mode, turn on an extractor fan, have open windows (which lets the cold in), or get a dehumidifier to extract water from the air.

The simpler option, in many cases, is to use a clothes dryer. But how can you do so without guzzling power and sending your energy bills skyrocketing?

Traditionally, vented dryers were the main option. They are comparatively cheap to buy, but expensive to run because they heat up air, tumble the clothes, and blast the hot, moist air out into your laundry or vented ducting. They have 2-star energy ratings.

Heat pump tumble dryers, however, work differently. They are cheaper to run because they cycle hot air through a closed system, reheating and reusing it while condensing the moisture into water. Because of this, most heat pump models carry a 7 or 8-star energy rating. While they are more expensive to buy than vented dryers, as the technology has become more widely adopted, prices have lowered and many reputable brands now offer very affordable heat pump models.

You can buy entry-level vented dryers for as little as $450 or less, and some heat pump dryers for under $600.

For comparison purposes, let’s look at a vented and a heat pump model of the same capacity from the same brand, running three times a week at an average cost of 35 cents per kWh:

• Haier 7kg vented dryer (2-Star): RRP is $689* and costs roughly $330 a year in electricity to run.

• Haier 7kg heat pump dryer (7-Star): RRP is $999* and costs about $135 a year to run.

These calculations are based on Recommended Retail Prices, but at Appliances Online we usually sell both heat pump and vented dryers at significantly below RRP.

Plus, if a large upfront payment doesn’t fit your cash flow, you might be able to use a payment platform like AfterPay, PayPal Pay in 4, Zip or Klarna, which allow you to split the cost into manageable, interest-free instalments. Some providers charge fees for late payments, however, so check the details before choosing one.

Whether you already own a clothes dryer or have decided to buy one, you can still keep running costs down with a few simple habits:

• Crank up the spin cycle: Before your clothes even leave the washing machine, ensure you use the highest spin cycle setting - usually 1200-1400 RPM. Getting that extra water out mechanically takes a lot less energy than using heat later. The exception to this is for delicates like silk and wool, which should be spun at much lower speeds (around 400-800 RPM) to protect the fibres.

• Time it with peak and off-peak rates: If your electricity plan charges different rates throughout the day, avoid running heavy appliances during the expensive evening peak if possible. Even if you need to run the washing machine during peak hours, you can do a quick cold wash (which is relatively cheap because the machine doesn't have to heat the water) an hour or so before you go to bed. Then, simply transfer the damp load into the dryer and set its delay timer to run overnight when power is cheapest. Because the dryer drum is large and has some air circulation, the clothes won't get musty sitting idle for an hour or two before the cycle starts.

• Turn on the anti-crease function: If your dryer has this setting, make sure you select it when running loads overnight. Once the drying cycle finishes, it will gently tumble the dried clothes for short bursts over the next few hours, which reduces the formation of creases and wrinkles.

• Look into daytime ‘free energy’ plans: Depending on where in Australia you live, there may be an option to take advantage of ‘free’ electricity. To make use of excess rooftop solar generation, energy networks across much of Australia offer Solar Sharer options or windows of free electricity (such as three hours of free power between 11am-2pm) for households with a smart meter. Check with your energy retailer to see if you can opt-in, but make sure you read the small print, because some providers have higher-than-average rates during other times of the day, which could end up costing you more overall.

Managing your laundry in winter is all about balancing your budget, your available time, and your health. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, because your location, energy plan, type of dryer and daily routine all play a role, so you’ll need to weigh up these suggestions against your own household needs and financial situation.