
Laundry & Drying
Heated Airer vs Tumble Dryer: Which Costs Less to Run?
A heated airer usually costs less per hour, but the fair comparison is energy used per drying session. Use each appliance's kWh figure and your tariff to find the answer.

Editor · 7 articles
Tom covers drying, dehumidifiers and condensation. He tests kit in an unheated Yorkshire spare room in winter, which is a more honest lab than a press shot.
Writes about indoor moisture, running costs and what still works when you cannot vent a tumble dryer.

Laundry & Drying
A heated airer usually costs less per hour, but the fair comparison is energy used per drying session. Use each appliance's kWh figure and your tariff to find the answer.
Guide

Laundry & Drying
A rail-style heated airer rated at 300W costs about 7.8p an hour at a 26.11p/kWh electricity rate. An unheated sock hanger uses no electricity of its own.
Guide

Laundry & Drying
You do not need a tumble dryer to get washing dry in a flat. The trick is removing as much water as possible first, spacing the load properly and controlling where the moisture goes.
How to

Laundry & Drying
The Dry:Soon Deluxe dries a lot of laundry without tumble-dryer levels of power, but its real small-home trade-off is the floor space it occupies when open.
Review

Laundry & Drying
A heated airer warms wet clothes; a dehumidifier removes the moisture they release. If condensation is already a problem, buy the dehumidifier first. For faster winter drying, use both in a closed room.
Comparison

Damp & Condensation
The MeacoDry Arete One 12L is easy to recommend for small homes because it removes moisture without becoming the loudest appliance in the room.
Review

Damp & Condensation
To stop condensation in a flat, reduce the moisture you create, ventilate at the right times and remove water before it sits on cold windows and frames.
How to