Drying clothes indoors and costs

Costs of drying clothes indoors

The energy crisis, inflation, and higher interest rates are forcing Norwegian households to reduce costs. Everyone is looking for ways to reduce energy consumption, such as lowering the temperature and avoiding tumble dryers.

How to prevent moisture and condensation as cheaply as possible?

When drying clothes, it is natural for people to hang wet clothes on a clothes rack. This is cheaper than using a tumble dryer. The tumble dryer is one of the most energy-intensive appliances in the home. This will go well at first. Over the next few weeks, clothes will take longer and longer to dry, and the humidity in the air will increase from the clothes we have dried previously.

The seasons play a role

This accumulation of moisture will lead to much longer drying times the further into the year you get.

This is not only frustrating, but it also introduces a hidden threat to the home, namely moisture, condensation, and perhaps mold. Extra moisture in the air is not seen, but it will be there. The moisture from the clothes has to go somewhere. Over time, problems such as mold growth, condensation, and a stale smell in clothes will become evident.

Does it affect health?

If there is dampness and mold in the home, it likely also contributes to respiratory problems, respiratory infections, allergies, or asthma. It also affects the immune system, especially for the young and old. The good news is that there are inexpensive ways to effectively dry clothes indoors and prevent moisture and condensation in your home. Here are our top five tips:

5 good tips to prevent moisture and condensation

• Reduce moisture in the form of steam

  Many daily tasks create moisture, often without us noticing. Put lids on pots when boiling or steaming vegetables. Use an extractor fan for a short while or open a window when using a bathtub or shower. This way, you can reduce moisture vapor in the air.

• Make indoor air drying efficient

  Drying clothes using a dehumidifier is gentle on clothes compared to tumbling them in a dryer. Before removing them from the washing machine, use the spin cycle to keep the amount of water remaining in the clothes to a minimum. Place a drying rack slightly away from the walls to prevent moisture from settling. Hang items individually and with as much space between them as possible. They will dry faster.

• Be conscious of heating

  Making the most of natural sunlight can help warm up your home and dry out any damp air. Opening curtains and blinds during the day prevents moisture from settling around windows. Using rugs and mats on wooden and stone floors can also make rooms feel warmer.

• Simple changes inside and outside the home

  Try to create air circulation and remove opportunities for moisture to spread. This will reduce damage or eliminate opportunities for mold growth. Opening doors to built-in wardrobes that are on exterior walls and trying to prevent furniture, clothes, and shoes from coming into contact with exterior walls can stop moisture development. Keep downpipes clear, reducing the amount of water that can spill onto exterior walls.

• Consider investing in an energy-efficient dehumidifier with a clothes drying mode

  All of the above can help dry clothes indoors faster. However, the only way to remove moisture without opening windows and turning up the heat completely is to use a dehumidifier. Remember that there are ways to manage this extra cost. Dehumidifiers reduce humidity when they draw air from the room, remove the moisture, and then blow back warm, dry air into the room. This can help eliminate the feeling of drafts and cold in the air, allowing you to lower the temperature one or two degrees without discomfort. In a way, you can save a lot of money, and often more than the dehumidifier itself costs. Dehumidifiers are effective for drying clothes indoors and use significantly less electricity than tumble dryers. Look for dehumidifiers that have a clothes drying mode. For further energy savings, look for models that use a hygrostat. This means the dehumidifier turns off when the humidity is reached and only turns back on if it detects an increase in humidity. If you need a dehumidifier for a small room, for your boat, or even for your motorhome, I recommend Arida S3L.