Heated airer - can it really replace a tumble drier?

[chimichangaz]

I've seen lots of really positive posts about heated airers, especially the Lakeland one. I've just moved house and my condenser drier is currently in the dining room as there's no space in the kitchen. I'm deciding whether to redo the kitchen in the next couple of years in which case there will be space for a tumble drier (or I move the washer and drier to the bathroom which is a whole other thread...) but in the meantime I'm searching for solutions to the space issue.

Will a heated airer fully replace a tumble drier - including being able to dry towels so they are fluffy and not crispy? I'd still need to find somewhere to store it when not in use but it's the only solution I can think of.

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MNHQ

Ooh lots of replies! Probably should have said I live with my 19yo DS who has a lot of sport related washing and we do have space outside for line drying when the weather is ok.
I've already looked into washer/dryer and they wouldn't be any good due to not being able to wash and dry at the same time - plus the general opinion was that they're not much good.

I think the pp who said about storage of a heated dryer is right - it would be a problem - plus it seems they don't dry towels the same way as a tumble dryer which is a big turn off for me.
I've always had a tumble dryer and I guess you get used to having one.
Think I'm going to look at the possibility of moving it upstairs into the old airing cupboard, but it would have to be a narrow one.

Thanks for all the thoughts and suggestions- really helpful.

Mine is ok, it goes from east to dry directly, the trick is that if you want to dry you have to put half loads.

There are a lot of different specifications for washer driers (and many different prices as well, but considering you seem to have plenty of drying to do I would say forget about airers and washer dryers you really need a proper dryer or a good dehumidifier.

Good dehumidifiers are expensive but worth it, you can even plumb them so you don’t have to empty the tank. But you would need to put the dehumidifier and washer in the same room and bear in mind that good high volume domestic dehumidifiers are like fridges (if you move them around you need to let them rest in position for 24 hrs to avoid ruining them).

I did a bit of research recently to get mine, in terms of cost, output, volume & price this one is the one that came at the top of my list: www.appliancesdirect.co.uk/p/cd20leb/electriq-cd20leb

Wash to dry not east to dry!

Haven't used ours since the day we got our tumble dryer, and as PP said the footprint is similar. I would live with tumble in the dining room or a bedroom until you are ready to find it a permanent home.

We've got a tumble drier and a heated airer. There is def a knack to loading the heated airer, and it's crap without the cover but it doesn't shrink your clothes and most stuff dries overnight.

But I wouldn't even attempt putting towels or bedding on it. We still use the drier for those, and underwear, teatowels etc.

The only thing I will say is that our electricity usage has dropped dramatically now we don't use the drier as much........... this is for 4 adults so we have a lot of laundry.

Buy a big, regular airer and a dehumidifier.

I have no problem whatsoever with tumble dryers and can't understand all the angst they seem to induce but a dehumidifier is good for keeping the whole house dry too.
Probably not worth spending the extra cash a heated airer if you go down this route.

Alternatively, you already have a dryer so why not leave it where it is and just use it? Buying extra stuff will cost the same a running the existing (paid for) dryer for quite a while.

I think the heated airers are rubbish. Yes they dry clothes overnight but in the time it takes for things to dry I can do 3-4 loads in the tumble dryer. They're also rubbish for towels. Then again I have 7 soon to be 8 people in my household so we are always washing.

I bought one after reading rave reviews... it's shite !!! ... my house is an old terrace with a high kitchen ceiling so I've got a hoisty up thing on a rope ... it's brilliant and drys the washing really quickly .. I feel very Downtown Abbey when I use it .. although I'm more Mrs Patmore than Lady Mary ! . The heated airer didn't dry the washing any better than a normal and way cheaper airer( I have got a tumble dryer as well for towels and bedding)