Are heated airers worth it in a small student flat?

[ssd]

In Scotland, so cold damp and wet a lot of the time. Student sons room is small and he struggles with getting washing dry. I want to buy him a heated airer or dri buddy but he can't have anything too big.

Any ideas?

My kids used theirs throughout uni. I don’t think they are allowed in some accommodation though.
The uni accommodation dryers can be expensive and useless.

I'm just confused on what's best to buy for a small room.

I've not used one, so not able to recommend one, but IME, most University halls won't allow them.
Not 100% if he is in halls or a flat that is privately owned ?

Mine had them - dried clothes and heated their rooms.

If it's only a small room you could have issues with damp/mould. Maybe a small, normal airer and a small dehumidifier.

They are not open heat or fan heaters that could catch fire though. They don't get hotter than a radiator and you can hold your hand on it comfortably. Unless they are objected to on the basis of making an room damp but drying clothes in there will damp regardless. I have Lakeland one, it folds flat against the wall when not in use or handy storage to hang things on when not in use.

I use mine but would recommend the cover that you can buy with it to increase it's effectiveness.

I did not have a heated airer years ago and dried clothes in my room, i kept the window on the latch to enhance air movement and minimise the risk of mould/damp.

A small dehumidifier for less than £100 would be a better buy. They take up very little space and help with general dampness.
Buy him some damp absorbing crystals for his wardrobe and storage to protect shoes, books etc.

@NannyR

If it's only a small room you could have issues with damp/mould. Maybe a small, normal airer and a small dehumidifier.

I agree, a dehumidifier might be better. I stick ours on in the utility room and it dries the washing much quicker than without. You can get small dehumidifiers.

My son has one in his basement flat. It takes up about a square foot of floor space and is about 18 inches high. There is already a radiator in the room, so he has an ordinary foldable clothes airer near the radiator. Everything dries quickly and no condensation.

Absolutely a dehumidifier. I got one for my house, large, single glazed and a bugger in winter.

I’m AMAZED by how good it is. Mine was pricey but really excellent, it has a specific clothes drying setting.

Uni might be concerned about safety, a relative was a security guard at a uni and there were fires involving toasters.
Is there no laundry Driers?

But it’s not like a toaster at all there is zero fire risk as it doesn’t get hot enough. You could hold your hand on it all day and live to tell the tale. It’s about as hot as the side of a coffee mug after 20min.

OK fair enough

I think generally a smoke alarm and an effort to not go out leaving electrical stuff switched on is best practice in university accommodation. I know some people are careless, but most are reasonable.

Another vote for dehumidifier - they are excellent.

It'll help with potential damp issues and help dry out his clothes. I can dry a load a day using ours and a traditional airer.

It's a private rental.
I thought it would dry his clothes and heat his room up too, he doesn't turn the storage heating on

@ssd

It's a private rental. I thought it would dry his clothes and heat his room up too, he doesn't turn the storage heating on

Why not? Cost? You can't not use central heating in winter especially in Scotland.

Get him a dehumidifier

Will dry washing and the room 😁 I had to use one when living back at in-laws last year... room was so damp - we got a dehumidifier and a thermometer that tells humidity too - aim for between 40-60% 👍👍

Our was a biggish one - think of a 40l pedal bin

@ssd

It's a private rental. I thought it would dry his clothes and heat his room up too, he doesn't turn the storage heating on

It won't heat the room enough to compensate for not having heating turned on, especially as far north as Scotland and will create condensation (because the evaporated water has to go somewhere) increasing likelihood of damp problems.

At best it'll take the worst of the chill out of the air...but then a dehumidifier will do that too (just by virtue of removing water from the air).

I bought the one from home bargains, it's taller than it is wide.

Heated my conservatory really well when it was on.

I came on to say dehumidifier but see many people beat me to it.

I'm confused now. He's a student and shares with pals, they don't turn the heating on due to costs, even though it's bloody cold and wet up here in the winter.
I don't know if a humidifier would heat his room up and dry his washing too?

I may be wrong but think my DC's tenancy agreement had a clause about the tenant having to keep the property adequately heated.

Yes a dehumidifier will raise the temperature, but only slightly. If they aren't using the heating a dehumidifier is a must.