APPLIANCE COMPARISON · OCT–DEC 2026

Dehumidifier vs heated airer: which costs less to run?

At 26.32p per kWh, a dehumidifier costs about 5.7p per hour and a heated clothes airer about 7.9p per hour at full power, so the heated airer costs 39% more.

Last updated 11 October 2026GB average price-cap rate, October–December 2026, Direct Debit, 0% VAT

DEHUMIDIFIER · CHEAPER

5.7pper hour at 216 W

HEATED AIRER

7.9pper hour at 300 W

DIFFERENCE

2.2pper hour at 26.32p per kWh

Side by side

**Dehumidifier and heated airer running costs**Typical figures at 26.32p per kWh (GB average price-cap rate, October–December 2026, Direct Debit, 0% VAT). Running costs exclude the standing charge.
Measure	Dehumidifier	Heated airer
Rated power	216 W	300 W
Cost per hour at full power	5.7p	7.9p
One typical use	1 day, 8 hours	1 load, 4 hours
Cost per use	45p (1.73 kWh)	32p (1.20 kWh)
Assumed use a week	7 days	3 loads
Cost a year at that use	£166	£49

Usage assumptions: Dehumidifier: Eight hours a day at the rated power, every day.Heated airer: Three loads a week, each on for four hours.These are illustrations, not measured averages.

What the difference means for drying washing indoors

Both help dry washing indoors. A compressor dehumidifier like the one we cite draws 216 W and also takes moisture out of the room; desiccant models, which suit colder rooms, draw more (351 to 656 W on the model we cite).

The yearly figures above use different hours for each appliance, so compare the hourly cost for the same length of use.

Work out your own costs

Each appliance page has a calculator: enter your own wattage or energy label figure, how long you use it, and your region or unit rate.

Dehumidifier calculator Heated airer calculator

Unit rates vary by region: this period they run from 25.36p per kWh in East Midlands to 27.86p in Merseyside and Northern Wales. Electricity prices per kWh →

Questions

Is a dehumidifier cheaper to run than a heated clothes airer?

Yes, per hour at full power. At 26.32p per kWh, a dehumidifier costs about 5.7p per hour and a heated clothes airer about 7.9p per hour at full power, so the heated airer costs 39% more. Both help dry washing indoors. A compressor dehumidifier like the one we cite draws 216 W and also takes moisture out of the room; desiccant models, which suit colder rooms, draw more (351 to 656 W on the model we cite).

How much do they cost a year?

At the usage each page assumes, about £166 a year for a dehumidifier and £49 for a heated clothes airer (October–December 2026 GB average rate). For a dehumidifier: eight hours a day at the rated power, every day. For a heated clothes airer: three loads a week, each on for four hours.

Does where I live change which is cheaper?

No. Both run on electricity, so a higher or lower unit rate changes both costs in the same proportion. The cheaper appliance stays cheaper; only the pence change. Your region, tariff and how long you run each appliance change the actual amounts.

About these figures

Running cost is energy used × unit rate. Costs at full power assume the appliance draws its full rating the whole time; thermostats and programmes often switch elements on and off, so real use can be lower. Power ratings and energy label figures are examples from the sources below, not a measured UK average.

More comparisons

Sources

MeacoDry Arete One 20L dehumidifier ↗216 W at 20°C and 60% relative humidity (compressor).
Meaco DD8L Zambezi desiccant dehumidifier ↗351 W at fan speed 1, 656 W at fan speed 2 (desiccant).
Lakeland Dry:Soon 3-tier heated airer 21736, instruction booklet (PDF) ↗300 W; switch off after 24 hours.
Igenix IGHA02236S 3-tier heated clothes airer ↗300 W.
Ofgem: energy price cap unit rates and standing charges ↗GB average electricity unit rate and VAT basis, October–December 2026.

Last updated 11 October 2026. Figures are dated benchmarks taken from the sources above. How we use sources →