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.

But from April the price of running a tumble dryer, already high, is set to go even higher after regulator Ofgem increases prices for those not on a fixed tariff. Currently, electricity costs an average of 24.86p per kWh, and it will go up to 27.03p per kWh from April 1, when Ofgem increases prices of gas and electricity by an average of 6.4%, or £111 a year. According to electrical retailer Currys, there are three main types of tumble dryer: vented, condenser and heat pump.

The first two use almost the same amount of electricity: 5.34kWh for vented and 5.2kWh for condenser, while a 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 £1.34, or £489.99 if used one hour every day for a year. On the new prices, that jumps to £1.46 per hour, or £532.76 per year, a difference of £42.77 more from April 1.

For the cheapest vented dryer, the price change goes from £196 per year for an hour of daily use to £213.10, a difference of £17.10.

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

It said: “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 cheaper than the April price cap available on the market, which will save you money against the new prices and guarantee to lock your price in for the next 12 months, but time is rapidly running out to grab one before April.