How dehumidifiers, tumble dryers and heated airers compare for drying clothes in a UK home — running cost per load at current prices, speed, damp and upfront cost.
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Per load, a compressor dehumidifier (about 21–53p) and a heat pump tumble dryer (about 40–55p) are usually the cheapest; a heated airer is similar per hour but slower and adds moisture to the room; vented and condenser tumble dryers cost most (often over £1 a load). Only the dehumidifier dries the room as well as the clothes. Figures use the October–December 2026 price cap rate of 26.32p per kWh.
When the weather won’t cooperate, there are three main ways to dry washing indoors in the UK: a tumble dryer, a heated airer, or an ordinary airer with a dehumidifier. They differ a lot in cost per load, speed — and in what they do to the humidity in your home.
These are typical ranges at 26.32p per kWh (Ofgem’s October–December 2026 price cap average for Direct Debit). Your appliance’s wattage, the size of the load and how dry you start (spin speed) all change the result, so treat them as a guide.
| Typical energy per load | Cost per load | Typical time | Effect on room humidity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compressor dehumidifier + airer | 0.8–2kWh (150–300W for 4–8h) | about 21–53p | 4–8 hours | Lowers it |
| Heated airer | 1.2–2.4kWh (200–300W for 6–8h) | about 32–63p | 6–10 hours | Raises it |
| Heat pump tumble dryer | around 1.5–2kWh | about 39–53p | 2–3 hours | Neutral (condenses water into a tank) |
| Vented or condenser tumble dryer | around 4–5kWh | about £1.05–£1.32 | 1.5–2.5 hours | Neutral if vented outside |
Best for: anyone drying washing indoors regularly, especially in homes with condensation or mould.
See using a dehumidifier to dry clothes for the set-up that works.
Best for: small loads, people without space for a dehumidifier, rooms with good ventilation.
If you use one, crack a window or run a dehumidifier in the same room. If a load needs more than one heated airer session, a tumble dryer can end up cheaper.
Best for: large families, bulky items, people who need things dry quickly.
Lowest cost and least damp
Small loads, low upfront cost
Pairs well with a dehumidifier in a damp home.
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How we choose: these are types of product matched to the criteria in this guide, not individually tested models. Check current specifications and reviews before you buy.
Still weighing up whether a dehumidifier is worth it? See signs you need a dehumidifier, or get a starting size from the size calculator.
Usually, yes, compared with vented and condenser tumble dryers, which often use around 4–5kWh for a full load. A compressor dehumidifier typically uses around 1–2kWh to dry a load over several hours. Heat pump tumble dryers are much more efficient and cost about the same as a dehumidifier per load.
For a home with any condensation or damp, a dehumidifier — it removes the water from the air rather than adding it to the room. A heated airer suits small loads in a well-ventilated room, and costs less to buy. Many people use both together, which dries clothes quickly without the damp.
They can. A heated airer speeds up evaporation, so the water from the clothes goes into the room faster. Use it in a ventilated room or alongside a dehumidifier, and avoid using one in a bedroom you sleep in.
A tumble dryer, typically 1–3 hours. A dehumidifier in a small closed room usually takes 4–8 hours; a heated airer often takes longer for a full load, especially thick items.
How to dry washing indoors with a dehumidifier without damp, how long it takes, the set-up that works best, and what size and features to look for.
What a dehumidifier costs to run per hour, day and month at the current UK price cap rate, with a calculator for your own tariff and tips to cut the bill.
Practical ways to bring room humidity down in a UK home — free habits first, then low-cost fixes, then when a dehumidifier is worth it.
