Guide · Checked 13 October 2026
Heated airer vs dehumidifier vs tumble dryer: what each costs to run
The cheapest per hour is not always the cheapest per load.
A 300W heated airer costs about 8p an hour and a 200W dehumidifier about 5p an hour. A vented or condenser tumble dryer costs roughly £1.18 a load, and a heat pump dryer roughly 53p. So an airer or dehumidifier beats an older dryer comfortably, and a heat pump dryer is closer than most people expect.
We have not tested these products. This guide is based on the manufacturers' Amazon UK listings and buyer demand, checked on 13 October 2026. We do not show prices because they change constantly. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. How we choose.
The figures we used
- Electricity: 26.32p per kWh. This is Ofgem's price cap average for Direct Debit customers in England, Scotland and Wales from 1 October to 31 December 2026. Your own rate depends on your region, tariff and how you pay, so check your bill.
- Heated airer: 300W, from the listing for the Lakeland Dry:Soon 3-Tier. It is thermostatically controlled, so 300W is the most it draws.
- Dehumidifier: 200W, from the listing for the Pro Breeze OmniDry 12L.
- Tumble dryers: typical energy-label figures of about 4.5kWh for a full load in a vented or condenser dryer and about 2kWh in a heat pump dryer. These vary by model and load, so check your own dryer's label.
- Drying times are examples, not test results. We have not timed these products ourselves.
Running costs side by side
| Method | Power or energy | Cost per hour | Example load |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heated airer (300W) | 0.3kWh an hour | 8p | 8 hours: 63p |
| Dehumidifier (200W) | 0.2kWh an hour | 5p | 8 hours: 42p |
| Airer and dehumidifier together | 0.5kWh an hour | 13p | 5 hours: 66p |
| Heat pump tumble dryer | About 2kWh a load | n/a | One load: 53p |
| Vented or condenser tumble dryer | About 4.5kWh a load | n/a | One load: £1.18 |
The two products the figures come from
Heated airer
Lakeland Dry:Soon 3-Tier
21 metres of heated bars for up to 15kg of wet washing, at 300W. It is slow without a cover.
Read our full guide to the Lakeland Dry:Soon 3-Tier →
Paid link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Cover for the airer
Dry:Soon 3-tier airer cover
A cover traps the warm air round the washing. It is the simplest way to shorten the drying time.
Paid link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Dehumidifier
Pro Breeze OmniDry 12L
Up to 12 litres a day with a laundry mode, at 200W. It also deals with the condensation that indoor drying causes.
Read our full guide to the Pro Breeze OmniDry 12L →
Paid link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Cheaper heated airer
Status 230W heated winged airer
A flat, winged airer that draws 230W. It holds less than a three-tier airer and suits one or two people.
Paid link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Which one should you buy?
- No tumble dryer and a damp home: a dehumidifier. It dries the washing and protects the house.
- No tumble dryer and no damp problem: a heated airer with a cover.
- Both, in a closed room, dry a load fastest, and still cost less per load than an older tumble dryer.
- Already own a heat pump dryer: it is hard to beat on cost per load. An airer still helps with clothes that cannot be tumble dried.
- Own an older vented or condenser dryer: using an airer or dehumidifier for most loads saves roughly 50p to 70p a load on these figures.
Questions people ask
How much does a heated airer cost to run per hour?
A 300W heated airer costs about 8p an hour at 26.32p per kWh.
Is a heated airer cheaper than a tumble dryer?
It is cheaper per load than a vented or condenser dryer, which costs about £1.18 a load. Over eight hours a 300W airer uses about 63p, which is slightly more than one load in a heat pump dryer.
Is a dehumidifier or a heated airer cheaper to run?
The dehumidifier, per hour: about 5p for a 200W model against 8p for a 300W airer. Which is cheaper per load depends on how long each takes in your home.
What electricity price did you use?
26.32p per kWh, the Ofgem price cap average for Direct Debit customers from 1 October to 31 December 2026.
Related guides
Is the Lakeland Dry:Soon 3-Tier worth it?
Two loads of washing, dry without a tumble dryer.
Read the guide →
Is the Pro Breeze OmniDry 12L worth it?
Dry air, dry washing, less mould.
Read the guide →Best dehumidifier for drying clothes
Look for a laundry mode, the right capacity, and a room with the door shut.
Read the guide →