When the temperature drops and the days get shorter, some of the appliances around our homes suddenly have a lot more work to do. More laundry is being dried indoors, dishwashers are dealing with warming winter meals and dehumidifiers are helping to keep damp and condensation under control. Even appliances that run throughout the year can be affected by changing temperatures and our winter routines.
Fortunately, there are plenty of simple ways to help your appliances work more efficiently. From changing a few everyday habits to choosing the right settings, here are some of the household appliances that work hardest during winter and what you can do to help them.
Jump to:
Tumble Dryers
Washing Machines
Dehumidifiers
Dishwashers
Fridges & Freezers
Ovens & Air Fryers
1. Tumble Dryers
It probably comes as no surprise that tumble dryers are one of the appliances that see the biggest increase in use during autumn and winter. When hanging washing outside becomes difficult, particularly during the wet and windy weather we’re accustomed to here in Cornwall and Devon, the tumble dryer can quickly become an essential part of the weekly routine.
How to make your tumble dryer more efficient
Use the washing machine’s fastest suitable spin speed first. The more water your washing machine removes, the less work your tumble dryer has to do afterwards – always check the care labels first!
Keep the lint filter clean. A blocked filter restricts airflow and can make drying less efficient; get into the habit of checking and cleaning it after every cycle.
Don’t overload the drum. Your clothes need enough room for warm air to circulate around them. An overloaded dryer can take longer to get everything dry.
Use sensor programmes where available. Rather than running for a predetermined amount of time, sensor drying programmes can detect when your clothes have reached the required level of dryness and stop accordingly.
Consider a heat pump tumble dryer. If you use your dryer regularly, a modern heat pump model can use considerably less electricity than a traditional vented or condenser dryer by reusing heat during the drying process.
2. Washing Machines
Winter doesn’t necessarily mean we’re washing more clothes, but the type of laundry going into the machine can certainly change. Thicker jumpers, heavier trousers, muddy clothes, towels and extra layers can all make their way into the laundry basket during the colder months. A few small changes can help keep energy and water consumption under control.
How to make your washing machine more efficient
Wash full loads where possible. You’ll generally get better value from the electricity and water used by running one appropriately full load instead of several smaller ones (don’t pack the drum too tightly, though).
Use Eco programmes. They can take longer, but Eco cycles are designed to reduce energy and water consumption.
Turn the temperature down. For suitable everyday laundry, washing at 30°C can reduce the energy required to heat the water compared with hotter washes. Always follow the garment’s care instructions and use a hotter or specialist programme when hygiene requirements call for it.
Choose the right programme. Modern washing machines often provide dedicated settings for different fabrics and load types. Choosing an appropriate programme can avoid unnecessarily long, hot or intensive cycles.
Use a good spin speed before drying. If your clothes are heading straight into the tumble dryer, removing more water during the final spin can reduce the amount of work the dryer has to do.
3. Dehumidifiers
Condensation on the windows? Washing taking forever to dry? That familiar damp feeling in the air? A dehumidifier can be particularly useful during the colder months, especially in homes where drying laundry outside isn’t always an option.
Rather than heating the room, a dehumidifier removes excess moisture from the air. This can help manage condensation and create better conditions for drying laundry indoors.
How to use a dehumidifier efficiently
Set an appropriate humidity target. If your model has a humidistat, it can automatically switch the dehumidifier on and off to maintain your chosen level rather than running continuously.
Close external doors and windows while it’s running. Otherwise, you’re effectively asking the appliance to remove moisture from a constantly replenished supply of outside air.
Give it space. Follow the manufacturer’s guidance on positioning and avoid obstructing the air inlet and outlet.
Clean the filter regularly. Dust build-up can restrict airflow and reduce performance.
Use a laundry mode if your model has one. Positioning a dehumidifier appropriately in a room where clothes are drying can help speed up the process without relying entirely on a tumble dryer. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for safe placement.
4. Dishwashers
Winter is the season for roasts, casseroles, baking and plenty of warming home-cooked meals. Unfortunately, all that cooking tends to produce something else too: washing up. If your dishwasher is running more frequently, there are a few easy ways to get more from each cycle.
How to make your dishwasher more efficient
Wait for a full load. Running a properly loaded dishwasher less frequently is generally more efficient than repeatedly washing small loads.
Don’t pre-rinse everything. Scrape leftover food into the bin, but modern dishwashers and detergents are designed to deal with dirty dishes without everything needing to be thoroughly rinsed under the tap first.
Use the Eco programme. Like washing machines, dishwasher Eco programmes typically run for longer while using less energy and water than more intensive programmes.
Load it properly. Make sure spray arms can rotate freely and that large dishes aren’t preventing water from reaching other items.
Clean the filter. A dishwasher that’s looked after properly is better placed to perform at its best; check the filter regularly and follow the manufacturer’s cleaning recommendations.
5. Fridges and Freezers
Your fridge and freezer are working 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, so even small improvements in efficiency can add up over time. Winter also brings a few considerations you might not normally think about.
Help your fridge and freezer work efficiently
Check the temperature settings. Making your fridge or freezer colder than necessary means the compressor has to work harder. Follow the temperature recommendations provided by the manufacturer.
Keep the doors closed. Decide what you need before opening the door rather than leaving it open while you search.
Check the door seals. Damaged or dirty seals can allow cold air to escape; clean them regularly and check that the doors are closing properly.
Let hot food cool appropriately before refrigerating it. Putting very hot food straight into the fridge can raise the internal temperature, making the appliance work harder. Follow food safety guidance and don’t leave perishable food sitting at room temperature for extended periods.
Think carefully about appliances in garages and outbuildings. Not every fridge or freezer is designed to operate in very cold ambient temperatures. If yours lives in an unheated garage, shed or utility area, check the manufacturer’s specified operating temperature range. This is particularly important during cold snaps; a garage that feels like the perfect place for an extra freezer isn’t necessarily suitable for every model.
Is your freezer suitable for the garage?
Before putting a fridge or freezer in an unheated garage, check its specified climate class and minimum operating temperature. Some models are specifically designed to continue operating at much lower ambient temperatures than others. If you’re unsure, our team can help you find a model that’s suitable for where you plan to put it.
6. Ovens and Air Fryers
Cold evenings often mean more cooking at home, from Sunday roasts and casseroles to quick midweek dinners. That means ovens, hobs and smaller cooking appliances can all see more use.
Make your winter cooking more efficient
Avoid opening the oven unnecessarily. Every time the door is opened, heat escapes and the oven has to work to restore its temperature.
Cook multiple dishes together when practical. If foods require similar temperatures and your oven has enough space, making use of more than one shelf can help you get more from the energy used to heat it.
Don’t automatically preheat. Some recipes need a fully preheated oven, while others don’t. Follow the cooking instructions rather than automatically leaving the oven heating beforehand.
Match the appliance to the meal. Heating a full size oven for a small portion isn’t always necessary. For suitable foods and portions, an air fryer or other compact cooking appliance may be a more practical option.
Keep your oven clean. Heavy grease and food build-up isn’t just unpleasant – keeping the oven and its seals in good condition helps it operate as intended.
A Little Maintenance Goes a Long Way
Making your appliances more efficient isn’t always about replacing them. Cleaning filters, checking seals, choosing the correct programme and changing how you use an appliance can all help you get better performance from the products you already own. It’s also worth keeping an eye out for changes in how an appliance behaves. A tumble dryer suddenly taking much longer to dry clothes or a fridge running constantly could indicate that something needs attention.
HBH Woolacotts has its own Service Department, with engineers covering Cornwall and Devon. If an appliance develops a fault, getting it inspected and repaired may be a better option than immediately replacing it.
Thinking About Replacing an Older Appliance?
Sometimes an older appliance simply reaches the point where replacement makes sense. If you’re shopping for a new washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher, fridge, freezer or other household appliance, don’t look at the purchase price alone. Check the energy label and think about how often you’ll actually use the appliance.
A more efficient model can be particularly worthwhile for appliances that run continuously or are used several times each week. Our teams can help you compare models and understand the features that are genuinely useful for your household, without paying for things you don’t need.
With 9 HBH Woolacotts stores across Cornwall and Devon, you can visit your local branch for advice or shop online, with free delivery available across Cornwall and Devon.
Get Your Home Ready for Winter
Winter puts different demands on our homes, but your appliances don’t necessarily need to work harder than they have to. Using the right programmes, keeping filters and seals clean, filling appliances appropriately and carrying out a little regular maintenance can all help them perform efficiently throughout the colder months.
If one of your appliances isn’t performing as it should, or you’re considering replacing an older model, we’re always Happy to Be Helpful.
