Don’t use the tumble dryer when its fine outside – hang your clothes on the washing line. Apart from saving money you are reducing the amount of moisture being released into your home, which could cause damp problems.

A tumble dryer used regularly will use around £40-£50 of electricity per year – around 10% of a typical bill. A condensing dryer will use more electricity, but more of the heat produced will stay in the house, reducing your heating bill slightly.

Here’s an interesting fact: it takes energy to dry clothes ( to make the water evaporate), so if you hang up clothes inside your house during the summer, the drying process will actually cool the room a little!

There is one company - Crosslee - that makes gas powered dryers for sale in the UK. These are cheaper to run, saving around £30 a year in bills (but are more fiddly and expensive to fit).

Gooshing has a range of tumble dryers, with ethical ratings.

The Energy Saving Trust provide information on products and retailers.