When people think about saving energy at home, they usually focus on turning things off faster.
Shorter cycle = less cost… right?
Surprisingly, with modern appliances the opposite is often true.
Both heat pump tumble dryers and dishwasher eco programmes are designed to run longer but use less energy, and that’s where many households misunderstand what they’re paying for.
You’re not paying for time.
You’re paying for electricity and heated water.
Heat Pump Tumble Dryers: Slow Heat, Low Cost
Traditional vented and condenser dryers work by blasting very hot air through clothes and constantly reheating fresh air.
That heats quickly, dries quickly… and uses a lot of electricity.
Heat pump dryers work differently.
They warm the air gently and reuse the same heat again and again rather than throwing it away. Because the temperature is lower, they need more time to remove the moisture, but the total energy used is far lower.
So yes, a cycle may take longer.
But the electricity meter moves much more slowly.
Typical comparison:
Older dryer: fast cycle, high energy draw
Heat pump dryer: longer cycle, low energy draw
The result is often a noticeably lower cost per load, even though the machine runs for longer.
You’re swapping intensity for efficiency.
There’s another benefit too. Lower temperatures are kinder to fabrics, so clothes shrink less and last longer.
Shop our range of Heat Pump Tumble Dryers
Dishwashers: Why Eco Mode Is the Smart Mode
Dishwasher eco programmes confuse a lot of people because they can take over three hours.
It feels inefficient.
It sounds inefficient.
But it’s actually the cheapest setting to run.
A quick wash cleans by using very hot water quickly.
Eco mode cleans by using warm water slowly.
Heating water is the most energy-hungry part of dishwashing. The eco programme simply heats the water less and relies on time, detergent and soaking action to do the work instead.
So although the dishwasher is running longer, the heater is working less.
Typical comparison:
Quick cycle: hotter water, higher energy use
Eco cycle: lower temperature, longer soak, lower energy use
The dishes end up just as clean, but with less electricity used overall.
The Common Misconception
We instinctively associate time with cost because that’s how many services work. Parking, labour, taxis.
Appliances don’t work that way.
They cost based on:
how much electricity they draw
how much water they heat
Not how long they’re switched on.
Modern appliances are designed to stretch time so they can reduce power.






