Overview
- AO’s Katie Lilywhite says positioning a dehumidifier near a drying rack can cut drying time to roughly 4–6 hours and can make the room feel a little warmer.
- Cost guides show heated airers draw about 200–300W (roughly 2p–26p per hour) versus older vented or condenser dryers at around 75p–£1.35 per cycle, with heat‑pump dryers typically 45p–60p.
- Coverage highlights trade‑offs, noting heated airers are inexpensive to run yet slow and uneven, with added moisture that calls for ventilation or pairing with a dehumidifier.
- Domestic & General’s Ian Palmer‑Smith advises against using heated airers or drying pods in small, poorly ventilated rooms and urges routine safety checks.
- Experts recommend practical steps such as an extra spin cycle, adding a clean towel or dryer balls, using off‑peak hours, and choosing methods by load size and fabrics, with some consumers finding dehumidifiers better value than heated airers.