They are known to be one of the most expensive appliances in your home despite how useful they can be especially for families who get through a lot of washing and need a lot of drying done quickly.

But from April the price of running a tumble dryer is set to go fall slightly when the Ofgem price cap drops - though they remain one of the most expensive appliances you can run.

From April 1, Ofgem will drop its price cap by 6.6% to 24.67p per kWh, though current forecasts suggest this will be nothing more than a temporary relief, with prices forecast to jump another 10% again on the next price cap from July.

The biggest factor which changes the price you will pay for your tumble dryer use is the type of tumble dryer you have.

There are three main types of tumble dryer according to Ideal Home. The first two types use almost the same amount of electricity: 5.34kWh for a vented dryer and 5.2kWh for a condenser, while a cheaper, more efficient heat pump tumble dryer uses 2.16kWh on average.

Looking at the top figure, a 5.34kWh tumble dryer would, in a 60-minute cycle, cost a shocking £1.46, or £533.88 if used one hour every day for a year, based on the new April prices.

For the cheapest vented dryer, the price is slightly cheaper, at £1.42 an hour, or £519.10 per year.

For the cheapest type, a heat pump dryer, the cost is much less, at just 59p per hour or £215.63 for a year of use.

The downside is that heat pump tumble dryers cost more to buy up front, says Currys.

The home appliance giant says in its online guidance: "Heat pump tumble dryers might cost more than vented and condenser dryers. But they're the most energy efficient of the lot, so they'll save you more money in the long run.

"They're also gentler on your clothes as they produce less heat. This makes a great option for delicate fabrics. And as they run at a lower temperature, they won't heat up the room they're in as much. Ideal if you're living in a small apartment - especially in the summer!"

Even if you have a less efficient tumble dryer, these tips will help you save some money:

• Spin your clothes in the washing machine first: This will remove excess water from your clothes. Which means that your dryer won't have to run for as long to get them dry.




• Clean the lint filter after every use: When the filter's clogged, it reduces air flow. This makes your tumble dryer work harder and consume more energy.




• Try drying similar fabrics together: Fabrics that dry at the same rate will reduce the overall drying time.




• Use wool tumble dryer balls: These help to keep your clothes separated in the dryer so hot air can circulate around them. Making the drying time even quicker.




• Dry a full load: It can be more efficient to dry lots of clothes all at once rather a few items here and there.

Of course, the best way to save money on your bills right now is to get a fix. There are still fixed energy deals slightly cheaper than the April price cap available on the market, which will save you money over the next 12 months because prices are expected to jump sharply in June, and a fix will protect you from such changes.