Martin Lewis warns Brits to ditch 'demon appliance' and use dehumidifier

The MoneySavingExpert says there is a cheaper way to save your clothes and your home from damp, mould and condensation without using a tumble dryer

Martin Lewis, the financial guru, has suggested households ditch the tumble dryer this winter. As we brace for the colder season and lose the sunny days that aid laundry drying, people are seeking ways to dry their clothes indoors without inviting mould or dampness.

But tumble dryers, often referred to as 'demon appliances', can lead to sky-high energy bills, according to Martin. On an episode of The Martin Lewis Podcast on BBC Sounds, Spotify, and Apple Music, he advised using a dehumidifier instead, which is considerably less costly and prevents moisture-related issues.

He explained the economics, saying: "Many dehumidifiers have different wattages – the one I checked out was 200W.

"Once we know it's 200W and we know a kilowatt is 1,000W, which is how electricity tends to be priced, we know this is a fifth of a kilowatt."

To put cost into perspective, he added, "And you pay roughly 34p per kilowatt per hour. A fifth is 7p, so you're going to pay roughly 7p per hour to run a dehumidifier at 200W, assuming it uses full power the whole time.", reports the Express.

With recent changes in energy costs, Martin notes that running a dehumidifier could now cost about 5.5p an hour with unit prices at 26p this winter.

Energy supplier Utilita has estimated that running a tumble dryer could cost between 53p to £1 per hour, which is ten to 20 times more than other appliances. So, what's the best or most affordable dehumidifier?

The Pro Breeze 12L dehumidifier, with built-in laundry drying settings and a 12-litre tank, is available on Amazon for just £134.99.

While it may seem pricey initially, it's cheaper in the long run compared to running a tumble dryer or fixing mould damage. Devola offers a larger 20L model with an integrated air purifier, priced at £179.99, or a smaller 12L version for £119.06.

Both models feature a quiet run mode at just 38db, quieter than a fridge. Lastly, the EcoAir DD1 7L, although smaller, fits easily into a living room.

It boasts a laundry setting, a quiet running level of just 34db, and numerous settings. Priced slightly higher at £229, it comes with an app and glowing reviews.

However, cheaper portable options without laundry settings are not recommended for clothes drying due to insufficient power and water storage capacity.