Cost of running a heated airer and tumble dryer compared as bills set to rise

09 December 2023 , 05:00

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Heated airers have boomed in popularity, but how much do they cost to run? (Image: B&M Bargains and More/Facebook)

In the winter months, Brits have no choice but to dry their laundry inside.

Without the option to hang clothes under the summer sun to dry naturally (and for free) most of us resort to using a tumble dryer. Over recent years, heated airers have burst into the mainstream, touting itself as a much more cost-effective alternative.

But which method is actually cheaper, and what are the total costs? The Mirror has compared the two together, using data from money-saving website Look at My Bills. All estimations are based on Ofgem's October price cap electricity rate of 27p per Kwh.

How much does a heated airer cost?

Heated airers are most common in two varieties: two tier and three tier. Depending on the size, they will have different levels of energy consumptions. A 220W power is typical of a two-tier airer, while three-tiers will be around 300W.

Prices for heated airers vary, with Dunelm flogging one for £95, and Lakeland offering a similar style for £45. It is worth reading reviews and doing your research on which particular heated airer to purchase, but it will set you back anything from £45-£250. Three-tier heaters tend to be around £20 more expensive than two-tier ones.

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How much does it cost to run a heated airer?

The cost of running a heated airer depends on the wattage of your device, as well as how much you pay for your electricity. It takes between three-eight hours for most heated airers to dry a 10-15kg load of wet laundry.

According to Look After My Bills, this means a 220W two-tier heated arier will cost 5.9p per hour, which works out at around 29p per load. If you use this type of heater three times a week, it'll work out at £45 a year.

For those with a three-tier heated airer powered with 300W, you'll be paying slightly more - at 8.1p per hour, or 41p per load. Again, if you dry three loads per week, this will work out at roughly £64 per year.

To get the most of your heated airer, make sure your wet clothes have been spun properly to get rid of any excess water. It is also advised to move the clothes around every now and then so they dry evenly.

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How much is a tumble dryer?

Tumble dryers are quite common in households, so you may already own one. Some washing machines also have the ability to dry clothes too. But, there are many varieties of tumble dryers, and the price range varies drastically.

Tumble dryers tend to come in three varieties: heat pump, vented, and condenser. Appliance store Curry's sells a slew of tumble dryers - with the cheapest coming out at £199 for a 3kg Vented, and the most expensive costing a staggering £2,699 for a 9kg Heat Pump.

Again, it's always worth doing your research on which is the right machine for you - and you can always grab a heavy discount on promos like Black Friday. But, a tumble dryer will always be a more expensive outright cost compared to a heated airer.

Cost of running a heated airer and tumble dryer compared as bills set to rise

Tumble dryers are a British household staple - but how efficient are they? (stock photo) (Getty Images)

How much does it cost to run a tumble dryer?

Because the power consumption of tumble dryers vary so much, it can be hard to estimate their cost. For the below comparison, Look After My Bills have worked out how much a 9kg tumble dryer costs.

It calculates that a Heat pump tumble dryer (2.16kWh) costs 58p to run a full load. This works out at £90 a year if used three times a week. However a Condenser (5.2kWh) is more than double the price, coming in at £1.40 a load or £2.18 a year. A Vented (5.34kWh) dryer is the most expensive option, costing £1.44 a load and £225 a year.