Lidl is introducing a new dehumidifier that helps households dry laundry indoors without a tumble dryer, running for roughly 10p an hour compared with the 21p to £1.24 per hour cost of operating a tumble dryer.
The Tronic Dehumidifier, priced at £89.99, will be available as part of Lidl's 'Cosy Bedroom' Middle Aisle promotion from Sunday, November 15. The sale also includes faux fur stools, rugs, cushions, blankets, a Storage Basket Set, a Storage Ottoman and other bedroom items.
Features and running costs
The device offers four settings: inside laundry drying with a powerful fan and dehumidification, a ventilation function without dehumidification, automatic and time-controlled operation adjustable up to 24 hours, and target humidity adjustable between 30% and 80% or continuous operation.
Key features include a moisture extraction rate of up to 20 litres per 24 hours, an LED screen displaying operating mode, timer, target humidity and current humidity, a large water tank with a capacity of up to 4 litres, a removable and washable filter, a warning signal when the tank is full, overflow protection, and a hose connection for continuous operation compatible with the included 30cm drainage hose or a garden hose.
The unit also has an automatic defrost function, four wheels with recessed handles, a child safety feature, power consumption of 400W, a cable length of 150cm, and a three-year warranty. Contents include the dehumidifier, a 30cm drainage hose, and a removable, washable filter.
Savings on energy bills
Based on the standard UK electricity rate of 26.32p per kWh, the 400W appliance costs approximately 10.5p per hour to run continuously. Over a typical four-hour period, running costs amount to 42p, rising to about 84p over eight hours. Users are advised to avoid high-power settings such as continuous ventilation and instead use automatic mode, which switches the unit off once the room reaches a target humidity range of 50% to 55%.
Using a dehumidifier can help dry wet laundry indoors by actively extracting moisture from the air, reducing relative humidity and drawing moisture from fabrics. For the fastest results, homeowners can seal the clothes airer and dehumidifier together in a small room, position the warm exhaust vent towards the laundry, and turn the airer halfway through the drying cycle.
Swapping a tumble dryer, which can cost between £1.50 and £2.50 per cycle, for a drying rack and a dehumidifier could save a significant sum on every load. Dry air is cheaper to heat than damp air, as the boiler does not need to expend energy warming suspended water molecules, often enabling the thermostat to be turned down without sacrificing comfort.
By tackling the condensation that causes black mould, the dehumidifier helps avoid costly structural repairs and redecorating bills, as mould releases microscopic spores, allergens, and irritants into the air, posing risks to health and property.
