Heated Airer Running Cost Calculator UK
Enter the wattage printed on your heated airer and how long a real drying session takes. The calculator estimates cost per session, week, month and year using the current default UK electricity rate when available, or your own tariff.
Use the power for your appliance and the time it actually runs. This estimates a continuous draw; use measured kWh when you have it.
Formula: watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × electricity rate. The rate is in pence, and results are shown in pounds. Monthly = weekly × 52 ÷ 12; annual = weekly × 52. Standing charges are excluded.
How much does a heated airer cost to run in the UK?
The answer depends on two things you can verify: the airer's power rating and how long it runs. At the current default rate used on this page (26.32p/kWh), a 300W airer running for six hours costs about 47.4p in electricity. Change the calculator above to your own wattage, runtime and tariff for a household-specific figure.
Worked cost scenarios
These are arithmetic scenarios, not claims that every heated airer has these power ratings or drying times. Use the rating plate and your actual completed-load runtime whenever possible.
Cost per hour can hide the real laundry cost
A low-wattage airer can look cheap per hour but still run for many hours. For a useful comparison, calculate the electricity used to get one load acceptably dry. Spin speed, load size, fabric spacing, room temperature and moisture removal can all change that runtime.
What about a cover?
A cover does not change the cost formula. It may change the time needed to reach your preferred dryness, which is why the calculator keeps runtime editable. Follow the airer manufacturer's instructions for covers and clearances rather than assuming every cover is suitable for every model.
Do not ignore the moisture released into the room
Heating wet laundry helps water evaporate from the fabric; that moisture still needs somewhere to go. If indoor humidity or condensation rises during drying, manage the room moisture rather than judging the setup on energy cost alone.
Compare the whole drying job
If you are choosing between a heated airer, dehumidifier or tumble dryer, compare cost per completed load and the effect on indoor humidity. DryHomeLab's comparison tools keep the assumptions editable instead of declaring one method universally cheapest.
Compare laundry drying costs · Check room humidity and condensation risk · Plan indoor drying without condensation
What the result means
- Cost depends on both wattage and runtime, so a cheap hourly figure does not automatically mean a cheap completed load.
- Use the rating plate for your actual airer rather than assuming every model draws the same power.
- Load size, spin speed, fabric spacing and room conditions can change how long the airer needs to run.
- Indoor drying releases moisture into the room, so also manage humidity and condensation rather than comparing electricity cost alone.
Related guides
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