Although it may seem as a cost-effective way to get the laundry dry, a plumber says it can actually lead to higher bills
Hanging the laundry on the washing line outside is something that will become less frequent as the days tick by and autumnal and wintery weather arrives in the UK. The yearly dilemma of how to dry our wet clothes is something that most households grapple with.
Using your warm radiators to dry t-shirts and underwear is one way. After all, if the heating is on anyway it’s surely killing two birds with one stone – the house is being heated at the same time the clothes are being dried off.
But a plumbing expert has warned householders that this common practice can actually lead to higher energy bills and has warned Brits to steer clear of this option.
Jordan Chance from PlumbNation stated that drying clothes on radiators increases the load on your boiler, leading to higher bills, according to RSVP Live.
And he said to avoid this method of drying your clothing in the autumn and winter months.
Jordan said: “We would recommend that you stop using your radiators to dry your clothes.
“The clothes that you place over the top of your radiators prevent the heat from escaping and heating your room, meaning that your boiler has to pick up the slack and work at a greater rate – increasing costs.”
The Express reports that another concern with using radiators to dry laundry is the potential health issues they may lead to over time.
Jordan added: “Similarly, the increase in the air’s moisture can create condensation, leading to potential issues with mould and dampness.”
He also cautioned against having certain types of popular radiator covers over yours. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes but he said it’s essential to think about your purpose for using them, as some are more decorative than practical.
Jordan said: “If you have a radiator cover make sure to check that it is a good conductor of heat. Radiator covers made from materials such as wood are poor conductors and can prevent heat from being dispersed effectively – wasting energy and money.
“Also, if your radiator cover has a solid top then you may be losing even more heat, as it will be absorbed by the top of the cover.”
Householders should be looking at bleeding radiators at this time of the year as it can vastly improve airflow and enhances efficiency.
PlumbNation clarified: “Bleeding your radiator is essential in preventing the efficiency of your radiator from decreasing, as a result of air entering your heating system.
“The quickest way to check if air has entered your heating system is to turn your central heating on and feel your radiator. If the radiator is warm at the bottom but cold at the top this is generally a sign that air is present.”
