Heated airer, 8 hrs53p
Vented dryer, per load£1.41
Heat pump dryer, per load57p
Your region
Live Direct Debit rates for UK average since 1 October 2026.
The short answer
Heated airers use about 200 to 300 watts. Most take 8 to 12 hours to dry a load, according to Ideal Home. At today's price of 26.32p per kWh:
| How you dry it | Energy per load | Cost per load |
|---|---|---|
| Heated airer (250 W, 8 hours) | 2.0 kWh | 53p |
| Heated airer (250 W, 12 hours) | 3.0 kWh | 79p |
| Heat pump tumble dryer | 2.16 kWh | 57p |
| Condenser tumble dryer | 5.2 kWh | £1.37 |
| Vented tumble dryer | 5.34 kWh | £1.41 |
Which should you use?
- Got a vented or condenser dryer? A heated airer will roughly halve your drying cost, if you don't mind waiting.
- Got a heat pump dryer? It costs about the same as an airer and is much faster.
- Buying one? A heated airer costs far less to buy than a tumble dryer.
Watch out for damp
Drying clothes indoors puts several litres of water into the air. Without ventilation, that can cause condensation and mould. Open a window a little, keep the door shut, or run a dehumidifier in the same room. A dehumidifier also helps clothes dry faster. See what a dehumidifier costs to run.
Tips to dry faster
- Use the fastest spin on your washing machine. Less water in, less drying needed.
- Space clothes out, and use a cover if your airer has one.
- Avoid draping clothes over radiators. It blocks heat from the room and adds moisture.
Sources: Ideal Home, Marks Electrical, Octopus Energy tariff data.