Martin Lewis explains why 'demon appliance' is 'worst in house' for soaring bills

Martin Lewis has issued an urgent warning about the biggest energy guzzler in your house.

The MoneySavingExpert founder, 53, is continuing to provide more financial advice to the nation, given that average bills went up by two percent for millions of people in England, Wales and Scotland under Ofgem's latest price cap.

Uswitch has announced that the energy debt owed by homeowners has reached an estimated £780 million, the highest figure recorded in eight years.

3.5 million households are currently in debt - a six percent increase from last year's 2.4 million.

As the cost-of-living crisis doesn't seem to be getting any easier, Lewis has revealed what household item is potentially costing you the most to run.

Taking to his BBC Radio 5 podcast, he said: "Do you know what the real 'demon appliance' is in most people's houses - the one that you don't want to use because it's really expensive.

Martin Lewis has issued a warning about tumble dryers (ITV)

"Tumble dryers."

He insisted that people 'are paying up to a quid per load' and instead suggests starting to 'dry clothes on an airer outside'.

Lewis says this will 'shorten the amount of time you're using your tumble dryer, or avoid using it completely'.

"Those who have dehumidifiers can take some of the moisture out of the air. It's less wattage than a tumble dryer, so it can be more cost-effective," he added.

The cost of running a tumble dryer

Tumble dryers can be expensive to run (Getty Stock Images)

The folks at Ideal Home have shared the costs of all three types of tumble dryers per load and per year (based on an average electricity cost of 29p per kWh):

• A 9kg vented tumble dryer uses about 5.34 kWh of electricity per full load. If you run it roughly twice a week, that adds up to around 636 kWh per year — costing approximately £1.54 per cycle or £184.44 annually.

• A 9kg condenser tumble dryer is slightly more efficient, using around 5.2 kWh per load and 617 kWh a year. That works out to about £1.51 per cycle and £178.93 per year, making it a bit cheaper to run than a vented model.

• A 9kg heat pump tumble dryer is the most energy-efficient option, using only 2.16 kWh per load and around 259 kWh annually. This means it costs just 63p per cycle and £75.11 per year to operate.

Heat pump tumble dryers are said to be more efficient (Getty Stock Images)

The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) said of the findings: "As you can see from the numbers above, heat pump tumble dryers are clearly the most energy efficient of the lot.

"They might cost the most up front, but they’ll save you money in the long run when it comes to your energy bills.

"They’re also a bit gentler on your clothes too as they produce less heat. So, they’re a great option for delicate fabrics. And as they run at a lower temperature, this can make a big difference if you're using your dryer in a small apartment."