How long should you let a heated airer run for? Appliance experts reveal all
Heated airers are a godsend during the winter months, but is there a limit to how long you can use them?
When the colder months arrive, drying laundry becomes a weekly struggle, and we often come to rely heavily on heated airers. However, with safety and cost in mind, how long should you be running these appliances?
If you own one of the best heated airers, then you'll know just how helpful they are during the autumn and winter when drying clothes indoors starts to take over your life. And although they are one of the best ways to dry your laundry inside, much like other appliances, there is a limit on how long they should be turned on consecutively.
So, to avoid making a common heated clothes airer mistake and keeping them on for too long, we asked appliance experts for their advice.
How long should a heated airer run per day?
Just as there's an ideal amount of time to run a dehumidifier per day, your heated airer will have a similar suggested run time.
"Just follow the instructions for your model and check how damp the clothes are now and then. There isn't going to be one perfect running time that suits every airer," Rhys Powell, Director of Operations, WarmZilla.
"A small load that's been spun well might dry after a few hours while towels and jeans might take much longer. The more important thing is that you leave gaps between items so warm air can circulate and turn any thicker garments partway through to expose damp patches," he adds.
"If your airer has a timer, use it, and don't keep extending the cycle without checking the clothes. A high spin speed on your washing machine also helps because it removes more water before drying starts," continues Rhys.
Keep an eye on your drying clothes while you complete your daily cleaning habits; that way, you won't have the airer running longer than it needs to.
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Can I leave a heated airer on all day?
With busy lifestyles and work schedules, it's tempting to set your airer on before you leave the house and hopefully come home to completely dry washing. However, that's not what the experts advise.
"That's not something I'd recommend... It's an electrical appliance operating around wet laundry, and models differ in their safety features, so just always follow the manual and use a timer if it has one," Rhys explains.
"Don't assume a low-temperature rail is safe to leave unattended, and if the manufacturer sets a maximum continuous running time, stick to it, and unplug the airer after use if the instructions recommend doing so," he adds.
Avoid making this laundry drying mistake; it could damage your appliance and cause possible safety risks.
FAQs
Do heated clothes airers use a lot of electricity?
Safety risks aside, you may be wondering how much it costs to run a heated airer, and with electricity prices raising this year it's important to know how efficient your appliances actually are.
“Running costs depend on the airer’s wattage, your electricity tariff and how long it takes to dry the washing. As an illustration, at an electricity rate of 25p per kilowatt-hour, a 200 to 300-watt airer would cost around 5 to 7.5p an hour, or 20 to 30p over four hours," says Scott Byrom, Energy Expert at The Energy Shop.
“However, a lower hourly running cost doesn’t automatically mean a lower cost per load. Compare the airer’s total drying time with the tumble dryer’s energy consumption per cycle, particularly if you have a heat pump model. If you also run a dehumidifier, include its electricity use in the calculation," he highlights.
If you are worried about the energy bill rise affecting your household, then checking how much energy your appliances are using is a great way of controlling your spending.
Do heated airers make your house damp?
If you usually tackle reducing humidity in your home during winter, then you might be slightly worried that a heated airer will add to the moisture issue.
“The airer itself doesn’t add moisture, but the wet washing releases moisture into the room as it dries. If that moisture isn’t removed, it can contribute to condensation and, over time, damp and mould," Scott explains.
“Use the airer in a suitable room with effective ventilation, or use a dehumidifier to help remove moisture. Keeping the room’s door closed can help stop moisture spreading through the home, provided there’s a way to remove it, such as an open window or an extractor fan venting outdoors. Always follow the airer’s guidance on where it can safely be used," he continues.
Having one of the best dehumidifiers in your home will make all the difference both when you're using your heated airer and when you're not. They're also incredibly helpful for speeding up the clothes drying process, which will reduce how long you need the airer on for.
Staying clear of the most expensive appliances to run will help massively with saving money over the colder months. But when you do need to use them, follow the suggested run times and make sure to switch them off at the plug when you're done.
