Heated airer vs tumble dryer: time and kWh per load

How each one dries

A heated airer warms metal rails to a gentle temperature. Clothes draped over the rails dry by evaporation into the room. Nothing removes that moisture except ventilation or a dehumidifier.

A tumble dryer heats air and tumbles the clothes through it. Vented dryers push the moist air outside through a hose. Condenser dryers cool it and collect the water in a container. Heat pump dryers are a type of condenser dryer that recycle heat, so they use noticeably less electricity per cycle, though they usually take longer than older types.

Working out kWh per load

For a heated airer, multiply the rated watts by the hours it runs and divide by 1,000. Many airers are rated around 200 to 300 W. A 250 W airer running for 8 hours uses 2 kWh. A smaller load that dries in 4 hours uses half that.

For a tumble dryer, the most reliable figure is the energy label, which states energy use per cycle or per year for a full load. Divide the annual figure by the number of cycles it assumes if needed. Heat pump models generally sit well below condenser and vented ones. Put both figures into the running-cost calculator with your own unit rate to compare.

Drying time and capacity

A tumble dryer handles a full drum, including towels and bedding, in a few hours. A three tier heated airer holds a fair load spread out, but thick items such as jeans and towels dry slowly, especially the parts not touching a rail. Most people find an airer works for a mid-week load overnight rather than a big weekend wash.

Spin speed helps both. The faster the washing machine spin, the less water is left in the clothes, and the less work either appliance has to do.

Moisture left in the room

This is the hidden cost of a heated airer. All the water in the clothes goes into the room air. In a cool, closed room that raises humidity, slows drying and can lead to condensation on windows and outside walls. A vented or condenser dryer keeps that water out of the room.

If you rely on an airer, open a window slightly, use a room with an extractor fan, or pair it with a dehumidifier. A dehumidifier also dries washing on its own; see our comparison of a dehumidifier vs tumble dryer.

Dehumidifiers that dry clothes well →

Fabric care, space and noise

A heated airer is gentle on clothes, silent, and folds away against a wall. It suits delicates, wool and items that should not be tumbled. A tumble dryer needs a permanent space, makes some noise and can shrink or wear fabrics on hotter settings, though most have low heat programmes.

• Pick an airer for small loads, delicates and occasional use
• Pick a dryer for large families, towels and bedding
• Pick a heat pump dryer if you want speed with lower kWh per cycle
• Add a dehumidifier if an airer leaves the room damp

Note:Clean a tumble dryer's lint filter after every load and empty the water container as the maker advises.

Frequently asked questions

Is a heated airer cheaper than a tumble dryer? Often per load, especially for small loads, but it depends on the dryer type and how long the airer runs. Compare the airer's watts times hours with the dryer's kWh per cycle from its energy label.

Can a heated airer replace a tumble dryer? For smaller households and lighter loads, many people manage with one. For towels, bedding and big families, a dryer is much quicker.

Do heated airers cause damp? They release the water from the clothes into the room, so in a poorly ventilated space they can add to condensation. Ventilation or a dehumidifier deals with that.