Running costs updated 1 October 2026. Every electricity figure on this page is costed at the Ofgem price cap average electricity unit rate of 26.32p per kWh, which applies from 1 October to 31 December 2026. Your own tariff may be higher or lower, so check your latest bill before relying on these numbers.
“How long will it take?” is the question that decides whether a heated airer suits you. The honest answer is that it varies a lot. It depends on the fabric, how well your machine spins, whether you use a cover and how warm the room is. Below are realistic ranges for UK homes in winter.
The short answer
A mixed load on an uncovered 300W heated airer usually takes around 4-8 hours. With a cover, roughly 3-5 hours is common. Light synthetics can be dry in 2-3 hours; jeans, towels and hoodies often take the longest.
Typical drying times by fabric
| Item | Uncovered (typical) | With cover (typical) | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sportswear, synthetics | 2-3 hours | 1.5-2 hours | Hang on the top tier |
| Cotton T-shirts, shirts | 3-5 hours | 2-4 hours | Shake out and hang singly |
| Underwear, socks | 2-4 hours | 2-3 hours | Spread across the bars, do not bunch |
| Jeans, chinos | 6-10 hours | 4-7 hours | Turn inside out halfway through |
| Towels | 6-10 hours | 4-7 hours | Fold once over a bar and turn them |
| Hoodies, knitwear | 6-12 hours | 5-8 hours | Lay knitwear flat on a winged airer |
| Bedding | Often overnight | Varies | A winged flat airer handles it better than a tiered one |
These are typical ranges, not lab measurements.
What changes drying time most
- Spin speed. A 1400rpm spin leaves noticeably less water in the clothes than 1000rpm. This is the cheapest speed boost there is.
- A cover. It traps warm air around the clothes. Manufacturers and owners commonly report about a third off the drying time. See heated clothes airers with covers.
- Spacing. Where fabric folds onto itself, it stays damp. Overloading the airer is the most common reason clothes come off it still damp.
- Room temperature and humidity. A cold, damp room slows everything. A dehumidifier in the same closed room speeds drying up considerably. Compare how long a dehumidifier takes to dry clothes.
- Airer type. A 1000W drying pod such as the Dry:Soon Heated Drying Pod is designed for runs of up to 3 hours. A 200-300W tiered airer is slower but cheaper per hour.
What it costs while you wait
| Run length | 202W airer | 300W airer |
|---|---|---|
| 3 hours | 16p | 24p |
| 4 hours | 21p | 32p |
| 6 hours | 32p | 47p |
| 8 hours | 43p | 63p |
Figures are at 26.32p per kWh. A timer, as on the Dry:Soon Deluxe (1-12 hours) or Minky SureDri (up to 9 hours), stops you paying for hours after the clothes are dry.
How to get a full load dry faster
- Use the fastest spin your clothes can take.
- Put heavy items on the bars and light items at the top.
- Fit a cover, or drape a sheet over the top as a stopgap without covering the controls.
- Dry in a small, closed room with an extractor fan running or a dehumidifier on.
- Turn jeans and towels halfway through.
How we worked this out: timings are typical ranges drawn from manufacturers' guidance and owner feedback, not our own lab tests. Your results will depend on how well your washing machine spins, the fabric, and how warm and ventilated the room is. Running costs use the Ofgem price cap rate of 26.32p per kWh (1 October to 31 December 2026).
More heated airer guides
- Are heated clothes airers worth it?
- Heated clothes airers with covers
- Heated airer running costs
- Do heated airers save money?
- Do heated airers cause condensation?
Compare all eight models in our best heated clothes airers guide, or work out your own cost with the heated airer running cost calculator.
Dehumidifier and drying guides
By room and problem
- Best quiet dehumidifier for bedrooms
- Best dehumidifier for a conservatory
- Best dehumidifier for mould and condensation
Choosing one
- Dehumidifier size calculator
- Compressor vs desiccant dehumidifier
- Dehumidifier buying guide
- Meaco vs Ebac
- Can you leave a dehumidifier on overnight?
Drying clothes for less
- How long a dehumidifier takes to dry clothes
- Dehumidifier vs tumble dryer cost
- Heated airer vs tumble dryer cost
- Do heated airers actually save money?
- Are heated clothes airers worth it?
Not sure what size you need? Try the dehumidifier size calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How long do heated airers take to dry clothes?
Usually around 4-8 hours for a mixed load without a cover, and roughly 3-5 hours with one. Thin synthetics can dry in 2-3 hours.
Can a heated airer dry clothes overnight?
Yes. Overnight is the most common way people use them. Use a timer and keep the airer clear of curtains and furniture.
Why are my clothes still damp on a heated airer?
The usual causes are overloading, items bunched together, a cold or humid room, or a low spin speed. Spread items out, add a cover and ventilate.
Is a heated airer faster than a tumble dryer?
No. A dryer typically finishes in one to three hours. A heated airer is slower but costs much less per load.
