How much does a heated airer cost to run?

The formula

Energy in kilowatt hours is watts multiplied by hours, divided by 1,000. So a 250 W airer running for 4 hours uses 250 times 4 divided by 1,000, which is 1 kWh. Multiply that by your unit rate in pence per kWh to get the cost of the session.

The wattage is on the rating label, the box or the product listing. If the airer has more than one heat setting or zone, use the wattage for the setting you use. Our running-cost calculator works this out and can compare an airer side by side with a dehumidifier or tumble dryer.

1. 1

   Find the wattage on the label or listing.

2. 2

   Estimate the hours per drying session.

3. 3

   Multiply watts by hours and divide by 1,000 to get kWh.

4. 4

   Multiply kWh by the unit rate on your bill.

kWh table for typical airers

These figures assume the airer runs at its full stated wattage for the whole session, which is how most simple heated airers work.

What changes the hours

Wattage is fixed, so hours are what you can control. Drying time depends on how much water is left in the clothes, how thick they are, how much rail contact they get, and how humid and cool the room is.

• Spin speed: a faster spin leaves less water to dry.
• Load size: crowded rails dry slower than spaced items.
• Fabric: towels and jeans take much longer than shirts.
• Room humidity: drying slows in a closed, humid room.
• Cover: traps warm air round the rails and can shorten drying.
• Timer: stops the airer running after the clothes are dry.

Covers, timers and smart plugs

A cover designed for your airer holds warm air around the rails, which usually speeds drying and can cut the hours needed. The trade-off is that it also holds moisture in, so leave a gap or use a cover with vents if the maker suggests it. Our article on heated airer covers covers this.

A built-in timer, or a smart plug with a timer if the maker allows it, stops the airer once the load should be dry rather than leaving it on all night. Check the manual before using a smart plug, as some makers advise against them.

Comparing with a dehumidifier and tumble dryer

A compressor dehumidifier often draws around 150 to 300 W, similar to many heated airers, and a desiccant dehumidifier more. The difference is what each one does. A dehumidifier removes water from the air and speeds drying for everything in the room, while a heated airer warms only what touches its rails. A tumble dryer uses more power per hour but finishes faster. The energy label shows its kWh per cycle.

For a fair comparison, work out the total kWh per load for each option. Our articles on dehumidifier running costs and heated airer vs tumble dryer show the method, and the best low energy dehumidifiers guide ranks machines by stated watts.

Best low energy dehumidifiers →

Ways to use less energy per load

Most savings come from shortening the session rather than choosing a slightly lower wattage. Spin hard, hang items in a single layer with gaps, put light items on the rails and thick items on the wings, and use a cover. Running the airer in a small room with a dehumidifier lets both machines finish sooner. Our guide to the best dehumidifiers for drying clothes covers laundry modes that switch off automatically.

Note:Follow the maker's safety instructions, never cover the airer with blankets or towels not designed for it, and do not leave it running unattended for longer than the manual allows.

Frequently asked questions

Are heated airers expensive to run? They are low wattage appliances, often 100 to 300 W. A typical session uses roughly 0.5 to 2 kWh depending on wattage and hours. Multiply by your unit rate to see the cost.

How many watts does a heated airer use? Most models sit between about 100 and 300 W. The exact figure is on the rating label or listing.

Which heated airer is cheapest to run? The one that dries your load in the fewest hours at a modest wattage. A cover and good spacing often matter more than a small difference in watts.

Is a heated airer cheaper than a tumble dryer? Per hour, usually yes. Per load it depends on how long the airer takes. Compare the airer's kWh per session with the dryer's kWh per cycle on its energy label.