How long can you leave a heated airer on?

How much power a heated airer uses

Heated airers use electric elements inside aluminium rails. Typical three-tier models are rated at a few hundred watts. The Lakeland Dry:Soon 3-Tier, for example, is listed with 300 W thermostatically controlled heating. Smaller winged models often draw less. Check the rating plate on yours.

To estimate energy: watts times hours divided by 1,000 gives kWh. A 300 W airer on for four hours uses about 1.2 kWh. Our running-cost calculator does the sum with your unit rate, and our explainer on heated airer running costs covers this in more detail.

How long a load takes

Thin items such as shirts and underwear in contact with the rails often dry in a couple of hours. Thicker items such as jeans and towels take longer, and a full airer may need several hours. A cover traps warm air and can shorten drying time; our guide to heated airer covers explains how. A dehumidifier in the same room speeds things up and collects the moisture.

Timers and thermostats

Many heated airers have a timer, which is the simplest way to avoid leaving one on longer than needed. The drysoon Deluxe 3-Tier, for example, is listed with a digital timer from 1 to 12 hours that switches the airer off automatically. Others have only an on and off switch, so set a phone reminder or use a plug-in timer if the manual allows it.

The rails are thermostatically controlled on many models, so they warm to a set temperature rather than getting hotter the longer they run.

Safety points from typical manuals

Manuals differ, but common points include: plug directly into a wall socket rather than an extension reel; stand the airer on a level floor away from curtains and furniture; do not cover it with anything other than a cover made for it; do not dry items soaked in solvents or oils; keep children and pets away from the hot rails; and switch off and unplug when not in use.

Some manuals give a maximum continuous running time or say not to leave the airer unattended. Follow what yours says. If you want to dry overnight, use a model with a timer and check the manual allows it.

Note:Follow your airer's manual. Use a wall socket, keep it clear of curtains and soft furnishings, and use only the cover designed for your model.

Getting the most from each session

Spin the washing at the highest speed the labels allow. Spread items so each touches the rails where possible, and turn them halfway. Dry in a small room with the door closed and a dehumidifier running, or with a window slightly open if not, so the moisture does not end up on your windows. Switch off as soon as the load is dry. Our guide on how to use a heated airer has a step-by-step routine.

1. 1

   Spin at the highest safe speed

2. 2

   Load thin items over the rails, thick items on the top tier

3. 3

   Fit the cover if you have one

4. 4

   Set the timer for the load

5. 5

   Run a dehumidifier in the room or ventilate

6. 6

   Switch off and unplug when dry

See dehumidifiers to pair with an airer →

Is it worth leaving one on all day?

Running a heated airer all day for one load usually wastes energy, because most loads dry in a few hours. Keeping it on with nothing on it wastes power entirely. If you have lots of laundry, batch it so the airer runs for one longer session. For a comparison with other methods, see is a heated airer worth it and the cheapest way to dry clothes indoors.

Frequently asked questions

Can you leave a heated airer on overnight? Many people do, but check the manual first. A model with a timer is the better choice so it switches off when the load should be dry.

Are heated airers expensive to run? They draw low power, often around 200 to 300 W. Multiply watts by hours and divide by 1,000 for kWh, then by your unit rate.

Can I put a towel over a heated airer? Only use a cover designed for your airer. Draping towels or blankets over it is not recommended by most makers.