APPLIANCE RUNNING COSTS · OCT–DEC 2026
How much does a heated clothes airer cost to run?
Heated airers use low-power heated rails rather than hot air, so even several hours’ use costs less than one load in most tumble dryers. At the GB average price-cap electricity rate of 26.32p per kWh for October–December 2026, a heated clothes airer costs about 7.9p an hour at full power, or 32p for a typical 4-hour load.
PER HOUR
7.9pat 300 W, full powerPER LOAD
32p1.20 kWh over 4 hoursPER WEEK
95p3 loads a week (assumed)PER YEAR
£49188 kWh at the assumed useWork out your own cost
Choose your region or type in your own unit rate, then change the wattage and hours to match your appliance and how you use it. It starts with a week at our assumed use, averaged to hours a day.
3.6 kWh over 7 days · about £0.14 a day
How much electricity it uses
- Three-tier heated airers from Lakeland (Dry:Soon, model 21736) and Igenix (IGHA02236S) are both rated at 300 W.
- Lakeland’s instructions say to switch off after 24 hours and let it cool before switching on again.
| Example | Rated power | Per hour | Per load | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical | 300 W | 7.9p | 32p | £49 |
Usage assumption: Three loads a week, each on for four hours. This is our illustration, not a measured average; change it in the calculator.
What drives the cost
- Hours switched on: drying time depends on the load, the room and how well it is spun.
- A cover over the airer keeps warmth around the clothes.
How it compares
| Appliance | Typical use | Energy | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heated clothes airer | 1 load, 4 hours | 1.20 kWh | 32p |
| Tumble dryer (heat pump) | 1 load | 1.44 kWh | 38p |
| Tumble dryer (condenser) | 1 load | 4.75 kWh | £1.25 |
| Dehumidifier | 1 day, 8 hours | 1.73 kWh | 45p |
Ways to spend less
- The Energy Saving Trust says drying on racks indoors or outside in warmer weather, instead of a tumble dryer, can save about £50 a year in Great Britain.
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. See every region’s rate →
Questions
How much does a heated clothes airer cost to run per hour?
At 26.32p per kWh (the GB average price-cap rate, October–December 2026, Direct Debit, 0% VAT), a heated clothes airer rated at 300 W costs about 7.9p an hour at full power. Models from 300 W to 300 W cost 7.9p to 7.9p an hour.
How much does a heated clothes airer cost to run a year?
It depends on how much you use it. Our assumption is three loads a week, each on for four hours. At 26.32p per kWh that comes to about £49 a year (188 kWh). Change the hours or uses in the calculator to match your own.
Is a heated airer cheaper than a tumble dryer?
Per load, usually yes. Four hours at 300 W is 1.2 kWh, below the 1.44 kWh label figure of the heat-pump dryer we cite and far below standard condenser or vented dryers. Drying indoors does add moisture to the room.
Does the cost depend on where I live?
Yes, a little. Price-cap electricity unit rates for October–December 2026 range from 25.36p per kWh in East Midlands to 27.86p in Merseyside and Northern Wales. Pick your region in the calculator, or enter the unit rate from your bill if you are on a fixed or time-of-use tariff.
About these figures
Running costs are energy used × unit rate. They exclude the daily standing charge, which you pay whether or not the appliance runs. Costs per hour assume the appliance draws its full rated power the whole time; many appliances cycle on and off, so real use is often lower. Power ratings and energy figures are examples from the sources below, not a measured UK average.
Other appliances
Sources
- 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.
- Energy Saving Trust: quick tips to save energy at home ↗Savings tips for kettles, washing machines, dishwashers, drying and standby (page last updated 6 October 2026).
- 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 →