How Much Does It Cost to Run a Heated airer in the UK?
Last updated 5 October 2026 · Prices based on the Ofgem price cap (October 2026 – December 2026)
A heated clothes airer uses gently warmed bars to dry washing indoors. At around 200–300W it costs far less per load than a tumble dryer, though it takes several hours and works best with a cover and a well-ventilated room.
Appliance running cost calculator
A 300W heated airer running 6 hours a day costs about £0.47 per day (£74 a year) at 26.32p/kWh.
- Per hour
- £0.08
- Per day
- £0.47
- Per week
- £1.42
- Per month
- £6.16
- Per year
- £74
- kWh per year
- 281
Based on 300W ÷ 1,000 × 6h × 26.32p/kWh. Standing charge not included.
- Electric heater£958
- Immersion heater£575
- Oil-filled radiator£503
- Fan heater£383
- Electric shower£155
- Dehumidifier£153
- Tumble dryer£137
- Fridge freezer£114
- Electric oven£99
- Dishwasher£92
- Heated airer£74
- Kettle£57
- Washing machine£55
- Air fryer£51
- Slow cooker£44
- Electric blanket£10
Heated airer running cost by wattage and time (at 26.32p/kWh)
| Wattage | 3 hrs | 6 hrs | 8 hrs | 10 hrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 150W | £0.12 | £0.24 | £0.32 | £0.39 |
| 220W | £0.17 | £0.35 | £0.46 | £0.58 |
| 300W | £0.24 | £0.47 | £0.63 | £0.79 |
| 400W | £0.32 | £0.63 | £0.84 | £1.05 |
Typical heated airer cost per day, month and year
| Period | Energy used | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour | 0.30 kWh | £0.08 |
| Per day | 1.80 kWh | £0.47 |
| Per month | 23.4 kWh | £6.16 |
| Per year | 281 kWh | £74 |
What affects the cost
Wattage
Most are 200–300W; covered and winged models more.
Load size
More clothes need more hours.
Spin speed
Drier clothes from the washer cut drying time.
Room temperature
Cold rooms slow drying.
Cheaper alternatives to a heated airer
• Drying outside on a line — free • A dehumidifier with laundry mode • Heat pump tumble dryer • Drying rack near a warm radiator
How to reduce the cost
- Use a cover to trap warm air and halve drying time
- Spin washing at the highest speed first
- Ventilate or use a dehumidifier to avoid damp
- Don't overload the bars
Frequently asked questions
How much does a heated airer cost per hour in the UK?
About £0.08 per hour for a 300W model at 26.32p/kWh.
How do I work out what my heated airer costs to run?
Divide the wattage by 1,000 to get kW, multiply by the hours used, then multiply by your unit rate in pence. Our calculator above does this for you.
Is a heated airer cheaper than a tumble dryer?
Usually. Six hours on a 300W airer costs about £0.47, while a 2.5kW vented dryer for an hour costs £0.66.
Do heated airers cause damp?
They release the water from your clothes into the room, so open a window or run a dehumidifier to prevent condensation.
Does the standing charge affect appliance running costs?
No. The electricity standing charge is a fixed daily fee you pay whether or not the appliance is on, so it is excluded from these figures.
Sources and methodology
Energy prices come from the Ofgem price cap for Direct Debit customers (GB average). Installation costs are typical UK ranges from installer quotes and industry guidance, rounded. Savings use today's rates and do not predict future prices.