Umair Gaines
With the rising costs of energy, many people are looking for ways to cut down on their energy usage. One of the prime suspects for increased energy bills is the tumble dryer, which is known for its high energy consumption. Heated clothes airers have emerged as a popular alternative, with many claiming that they are a more cost-effective and energy-efficient option. So, are electric clothes dryers expensive to run, and are there cheaper alternatives?
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What You'll Learn
Heated airers are more energy-efficient than tumble dryers
The cost of running a tumble dryer has made them unaffordable for many families. Tumble dryers are one of the most energy-hungry home appliances, and they are expensive to buy and run. They offer quick drying times but at the expense of higher energy consumption. A 9kg vented tumble dryer costs around £1.44 per cycle, adding up to £178.20 a year. A 9kg condenser tumble dryer uses approximately 5.2 kWh of electricity to dry a full load, costing £1.49.
Heated airers, on the other hand, are more energy-efficient. They typically use less electricity than tumble dryers, making them a more sustainable option. A 220-watt heated airer costs approximately 50p for eight hours of drying, while a 300-watt heated airer costs approximately 69p for the same amount of time. A 1,000-watt drying pod costs approximately 57p for two hours of drying.
Heated airers can dry a large load of washing more quickly than air-drying, and they are gentler on clothes than tumble dryers. They are a good option for those looking to reduce their energy footprint while keeping their clothes fresh and dry. By using heated airers at lower temperatures, you can also prolong the lifespan of your clothing, reducing waste.
To reduce the time your heated airer is plugged in, check that your clothes have spun properly in the washing machine to remove excess water. You can also move the clothes around on the airer to ensure they are drying evenly.
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Tumble dryers are one of the most energy-intensive household appliances
A 9kg condenser tumble dryer uses approximately 5.2 kWh of electricity to dry a full load, costing around £1.49. A 9kg vented tumble dryer costs around £1.44 per cycle, adding up to £178.20 a year. In comparison, a 300W heated airer costs just over 64p to dry a full load over eight hours.
The price range for tumble dryers varies drastically, with the cheapest being around £199 for a 3kg vented dryer and the most expensive costing up to £2,699 for a 9kg heat pump dryer. Tumble dryer capacities range from small (5-6kg) to large (up to 13kg). The larger tumble dryers can compete with heated airers in terms of capacity, but they are still more expensive to run.
Heated airers have become a popular alternative to tumble dryers due to their lower running costs. They also dry a larger amount of laundry in one go. A 220W heated airer costs approximately £0.50 for 8 hours of drying, while a 300W heated airer costs approximately £0.69 for the same amount of time.
To calculate the running cost of a heated airer, you can divide its wattage by 1000 to get the kWh of electricity it uses per hour. Then, multiply this by your cost of electricity to get the running cost per hour. Finally, multiply this by the number of hours it takes to dry your laundry.
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Running costs depend on wattage and electricity prices
The running costs of electric clothes dryers depend on their wattage and electricity prices. A 9kg condenser tumble dryer consumes approximately 5.2 kWh of electricity per full load, costing £1.49. A 9kg vented tumble dryer costs around £1.44 per cycle, adding up to £178.20 a year. In contrast, a 300W heated airer costs just over 64p to dry a full load over eight hours.
The wattage of a dryer determines its running cost. For example, a 220W two-tier heated airer costs 5.9p per hour, or approximately 29p per load. A 300W three-tier heated airer costs 8.1p per hour or 41p per load. The running costs of a 1,000W drying pod are higher at 34p per hour, but it dries clothes faster and only needs to run for about three hours a day, resulting in an 80p daily cost.
The cost of electricity also impacts the overall running expenses. The average unit price for electricity in October 2023 was capped at 27p per kWh, while in January 2024, it was 28.62p per kWh. These prices can be used to calculate the hourly running cost of a dryer by determining the kWh usage and multiplying it by the cost per kWh.
Compared to tumble dryers, heated airers are generally considered more cost-effective. While tumble dryers are convenient and widely used, they are known for their high energy consumption, making them one of the most expensive electrical appliances to run. Heated airers, on the other hand, offer a more affordable alternative, especially during the winter months when energy costs are typically higher.
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Heated airers are slower but can dry more clothes
The cost of running a heated airer depends on the wattage of the device and the amount you pay for electricity. Heated airers come in a range of different wattages, so some will be cheaper to run than others. For example, a 220-watt heated airer costs approximately £0.50 for 8 hours of drying, while a 300-watt heated airer costs approximately £0.69 for the same amount of time. A 1,000-watt drying pod costs approximately £0.57 to run for 2 hours.
While heated airers are slower than tumble dryers, they can dry more clothes. Most tumble dryers have a capacity of 5-13kg, while heated airers typically hold between 10 and 15kg of laundry. This means you can fit two laundry loads on a heated airer at a time, which is more than many of the larger tumble dryers can accommodate.
In addition to their greater drying capacity, heated airers are also more cost-effective than tumble dryers. Tumble dryers are known for their high energy consumption and are often the prime suspects when energy bills increase during the colder months. In comparison, a heated airer costs just a fraction of the price to dry the same load of laundry. For example, a 9kg condenser tumble dryer uses approximately 5.2 kWh of electricity to dry a full load, costing £1.49, while a 300-watt heated airer costs just over 64p to dry a full load over eight hours.
To speed up the drying process when using a heated airer, it is recommended to spin dry clothes before hanging and to squeeze out as much water as possible from the clothing before adding them to the airer.
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Tumble dryers are more expensive upfront
Tumble dryers are a common appliance in many households. However, they are known for their high energy consumption and can be expensive to run, especially during the colder months when alternative drying methods are not available. The cost of running a tumble dryer depends on various factors, including its type, size, and energy efficiency.
The initial cost of a tumble dryer can vary significantly, ranging from £199 for a basic 3kg vented model to over £2,000 for a high-end 9kg heat pump dryer with advanced features and better energy efficiency. The capacity of tumble dryers also varies, typically ranging from 5-6kg for small machines to up to 13kg for larger ones.
The running cost of a tumble dryer is influenced by its power consumption, which can differ among models. For example, a 9kg vented tumble dryer may consume around 5.2 kWh of electricity per full load, resulting in a cost of approximately £1.49 per cycle. In comparison, a 9kg condenser tumble dryer is estimated to cost around £1.55 per full load. These costs can add up quickly, with a 9kg vented tumble dryer potentially costing around £178.20 per year if used regularly.
While tumble dryers offer convenience and faster drying times, their upfront cost and ongoing energy expenses can be significant. As a result, many people consider alternative options, such as heated clothes airers, which are generally cheaper to buy and run, even though they may take longer to dry clothes.
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Frequently asked questions
Electric clothes dryers are considered to be one of the most energy-intensive and therefore expensive electrical household appliances to run. The cost of running a dryer depends on the wattage of the device, the amount of electricity you use, and the length of time it takes to dry your clothes.
The cost of running an electric clothes dryer varies depending on the model and the amount of laundry. A 9kg vented tumble dryer costs around £1.44 per cycle, adding up to £178.20 a year. A 300W heated airer costs just over 64p to dry a full load over eight hours.
Heated airers are generally considered to be cheaper to run than electric clothes dryers. They are a cost-effective alternative to tumble dryers, drying up to twice as much laundry in one go. A 220W heated airer costs approximately £0.50 for eight hours of drying, while a 300W heated airer costs approximately £0.69 for the same amount of time.
To reduce the cost of running an electric clothes dryer, you can try to speed up the drying process. This can be done by spinning dry clothes before hanging them up to remove excess water, using a dehumidifier, or placing a dry fitted sheet on top of the airer to contain the heat.
