refers to the quantity of water a dehumidifier is supposed to remove from the air in 24 hours, according to the industry. The problem is that these values are based on tests at 30 degrees Celsius and 80% humidity. Unless you reside in Southeast Asia, that climate is nothing like ours. We believe the industry should adopt a more realistic testing standard, however this is a challenging task given that this is the global standard. It’s not merely possible in our temperate climate.
Based on our research, we believe the Goldair GD330, which we tested in 2012, is the best on the market. The only thing that distinguishes it from every other model on the market is that it employs a different type of technology. behave similarly to a refrigerator without the door or a heat pump and as a result, their performance drops dramatically at lower temperatures.
The performance of the Goldair isn’t as bad. We discovered that it removed the same amount of water from the air at 8 degrees Celsius as it did at 16 degrees, whereas any of these refrigerant models that claimed to remove 20 litres only removed only 4 litres on average at lower temperatures.
are merely a band-aid. The easiest way to stop moisture is to stop it at the source, according to us. If you have water accumulating under your house and seeping up into your floor, it will cause structural damage when it enters your home. And while a dehumidifier will successfully remove the moisture from the air, you won’t be addressing the structural damage or mildew growth. If you have water gathering under your house, the best thing you can do is mend any broken drainpipes or gutters, and try to improve drainage. Install a moisture control sheet if that doesn’t work.
Many of us who live in rentals on the wrong side of a hill won’t be able to do much to prevent dampness in our homes during the New Zealand winter – which is where dehumidifiers come in handy.
as well as heaters The primary disadvantage of the Goldair is that it costs roughly $180 per year to operate, whereas refrigerant models only cost about $60. They only consume about 400 watts, so they aren’t power hogs. At the same time, they generate heat. Because dehumidifiers heat the room at the same time, I don’t think energy efficiency should be your first focus.
The better models include a digital humidistat, which functions similarly to a humidistat. If you have an ancient humidifier with a rotary dial humidstat, however, you can purchase a secondary humidity meter. And it’s a smart way to avoid spending $600 on a new dehumidifier.
If you’re concerned about sound and plan to use it in the TV room, I’d suggest plugging it in at the store to get a sense of how it sounds.
The major recommendation is to avoid using one of those small dehumidifiers. They make some bold claims, but they’re basically only suitable for a wardrobe or a campervan.
If you’re going to be utilizing it at lower temps, the GD330 is a good choice. Below 10 degrees Celsius, any of the refrigerant models will not work properly. They’ll only be able to extract a litre or less from the air. GD330, on the other hand, will work at temperatures as low as 0 degrees.
When you turn on your heat pump in a hot, humid area, it cools and dehumidifies at the same time. But in a New Zealand winter, that’s exactly what you don’t want. You’ll be dehumidifying a little, but you’ll also be chilling your home quite a bit. The heat pump dehumidifying mode isn’t worth anything to us.
The best approach to dehumidify in the summer is to just open a window, right? Allow enough air to circulate around your home.
Can dehumidifiers consume a lot of power?
While the wattage (483.24W on average) and hourly power usage (0.427 kWh on average) are not significant, dehumidifiers consume a significant amount of electricity due to the long duration of use.
Older dehumidifiers can consume up to 23.6 kWh per day, which is a significant amount of energy.
Dehumidifiers today are far more energy efficient, consuming as little as 5.52 kWh per day.
Let’s compare the amount of electricity a dehumidifier needs each day to the amount of electricity used by other household appliances to put dehumidifier electricity usage into perspective.
How much does it cost per hour to run a dehumidifier?
According to the Energy Saving Trust, the national average price per pence/kWh of energy is 20.33p as of November 2021. For the sake of demonstration, we’ve rounded it up to 20p.
The wattage of a dehumidifier is the easiest way to figure out how much energy it needs at its maximum setting. Mini dehumidifiers can use as little as 22 watts, whereas high-volume ones can consume up to 500 watts.
What is the power consumption of a dehumidifier?
Germs and molds thrive in environments where the humidity is too high for lengthy periods of time. This is why it’s crucial to have a well-ventilated home. However, not all residences can be sufficiently ventilated to evacuate all excess moisture. If enough ventilation is not possible, a dehumidifier should be purchased.
How electric dehumidifiers work
Let’s start with a simple explanation of how electric dehumidifiers work. The concept is actually quite simple: The temperature of a metal surface is reduced. Humid air that comes into contact with the metal surface cools down as well. Water condenses on the metal because cold air can contain less moisture than warm air. This condensation is collected in a plastic bucket that may be emptied on a regular basis. Despite the fact that most electric dehumidifiers operate in this manner, there are significant disparities in efficiency.
Dehumidifier energy consumption
The most significant factor to consider is the device’s energy usage, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), as well as how efficiently it consumes that energy. The energy usage is always listed on the product’s label. Next, look at the energy efficiency, which is measured by the energy factor. The energy factor for an electric dehumidifier is dependent on its performance per kWh, so this will tell you how many liters of water are removed from the air per kWh. By visiting the Energy Star website, you can simply compare energy factors of typical models.
Larger gadgets are frequently more efficient than smaller devices. However, because most places do not require high capacity devices, the device with the highest energy factor may not necessarily be the best or cheapest option for you. There are also significant price discrepancies between models and manufacturers when it comes to purchasing. Non-electric dehumidifiers are worth considering, especially if you have a moisture problem in a small space.
What would be the approximate operating cost of an electric dehumidifier?
Let’s look at a standard model that uses 280 Watts each hour. An electric dehumidifier requires 4.2 cents of power per hour assuming the current power rate is 15 cents/kW. As a result, if you use it for 10 hours each day, the cost is 10 hours * 4.2 cents = 42 cents per day, or $153.30 per year. Of course, the preceding calculations are based on estimates, but they provide a reasonable picture of the operational costs.
So what things should you take into consideration when buying an electric dehumidifier?
The cost of running an electric dehumidifier in real time is determined by the size of the room, the humidity in the area, the number of hours you require it to run, and the kWh rate charged by the power company. The performance of an electric dehumidifier is also influenced by the ambient temperature. Furthermore, not every space will have a reliable power source. Always consider the noise that an electric dehumidifier produces. Some electric dehumidifiers are as loud as pedestal fans, so give them a test run before you buy.
When choosing a dehumidifier, be sure to do your research because the operating costs of a dehumidifier that is too large may be higher than the cost of adding adequate ventilation. In many cases, a high-capacity electric dehumidifier is simply overkill. We hope this information aids you in making an informed decision.
Will a dehumidifier help me save money on my power bill?
Heat is the summer’s worst enemy when it comes to comfort. Humidity, on the other hand, is a close second. High temperatures can be made tolerable on a dry day. When the moisture content in the air rises, though, it prevents your body from sweating adequately, making you feel hotter than the actual temperature.
The installation of a whole-house dehumidifier is one technique to combat humidity during the summer months. Dehumidifiers do more than make a home feel more comfortable; they also save money in a variety of ways.
Installing a whole-house dehumidifier necessitates the assistance of an indoor air quality specialist who can assess your needs and appropriately integrate the dehumidifier into your HVAC system.
Air Mechanical, Inc.’s skilled indoor air quality team will help you choose and install a whole-house dehumidifier in Ham Lake, MN.
How a dehumidifier saves you money
When you turn on a dehumidifier, it will instantly begin to lower your utility bills. You won’t need to run the air conditioner as much because your home will seem cooler with less moisture in the air. Reduced stress on your air conditioner implies fewer service needs and a system with a significantly longer lifespan, in addition to lower electricity expenses. What better way to save money in the long run than to extend the life of your air conditioner before it needs to be replaced?
Don’t be concerned about the additional electricity required to run the dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers consume a fraction of the energy that an air conditioner does. (A central air conditioner runs on 220 volts, while a dehumidifier runs on 100 volts.) If you can reduce your air conditioning use by just one hour per day due to the dehumidifier’s activity, you’ll save roughly $20 per day… and you’ll probably be able to lower it even more.
By absorbing moisture onto the evaporator coils, air conditioning systems help to reduce humidity. Air conditioners, on the other hand, are not designed to control humidity and have minimal effect at humidity levels above 50%. If your home suffers from excessive humidity, investing in a whole-house dehumidifier to supplement your air conditioner is a good choice.
The other advantages of a dehumidifier, such as decreased moisture damage to furniture, reduced mold and mildew growth, and improved health, will save you money in indirect but substantial ways.
If humidity is making your summer miserable, or if you’ve discovered moisture damage in your home, a whole-house dehumidifier should be installed in Ham Lake, MN. Call Air Mechanical, Inc. immediately for advice and installation services that will ensure you get the best dehumidifier for your needs.
How much does a dehumidifier cost to operate all day?
For less than $1, a dehumidifier can absorb 5+ liters of water from indoor air.
Dehumidifiers do not represent a large electrical expense, as we proved in our post about dehumidifier energy use.
For less than a dollar, you can run a tiny 30-pint dehumidifier for ten hours.
It costs $0.72 to $3.84 per day to run a dehumidifier 24 hours a day. Dehumidifiers are classified as ‘low power expenditure’ HVAC devices by the US Department of Energy (DOE).
You’ll find a calculator further down that will determine the cost of running a specific dehumidifier. Here’s what it would cost to run a 500W dehumidifier for 240 hours in a month (30 days, 8 hours per day):
As you can see, the cost of operating a dehumidifier varies significantly.
Typically, everyone wants to know how much electricity their dehumidifier consumes. If you know three things, you can compute it:
- The dehumidifier’s wattage. Most dehumidifiers have a power range of 300-700 W, which can be seen on the specification sheet.
- Electricity costs in your area are on average. The average cost of electricity in the United States is $0.1319 per kWh. The cost in California, for example, can be significantly greater.
For example, a 50-pint dehumidifier running at 500W for a whole day will cost $1.58 in electricity.
Keep in mind that the dehumidifier’s capacity (50-pint) has no bearing on the cost estimate. Instead, dehumidifier power consumption is calculated using power (500W).
You can use the calculator below to figure out how much it costs to run a dehumidifier. Finally, you’ll get three cost calculation examples for the three most typical dehumidifiers now on the market.
What is the monthly electricity consumption of a dehumidifier?
The energy consumption of a dehumidifier is quite minimal. A tiny 30-pint dehumidifier consumes 300W of power. A typical large 70-pint dehumidifier consumes 700W of power.
To put the energy use into perspective, these are the wattages of some other devices:
A dehumidifier uses significantly less electricity than a water heater, air conditioner, or even a hair dryer. A dehumidifier uses roughly the same amount of electricity as a computer. If you look at how dehumidifiers work, you’ll notice that the majority of the energy goes into compressing refrigerant gas.
Nonetheless, purchasing the most energy-efficient dehumidifier makes sense. Let’s look at how we can determine which dehumidifiers are more energy efficient.
It costs less than $1 to run the most energy-efficient dehumidifier for 10 hours.
Is it affordable to run a dehumidifier?
Manufacturers of dehumidifiers are more aware of energy consumption than ever before. To assist keep energy costs down, newer dehumidifiers are being developed with a range of energy-saving features.
The Meaco Low Energy is a nice example (which is also our top pick at the moment). It costs roughly 0.04 per hour to run on full power with a power rating of only 255W. The dehumidifier also features Meaco’s “Control Logic,” which allows it to turn on and off depending on the humidity level.
A desiccant dehumidifier with a power rating of 650W, for example, is the Meaco DD8L Portable. This means that running it at full power costs roughly 0.10 per hour. It will warm a room and evaporate water faster in chilly temperatures because it is a desiccant machine. Although a refrigerant is the cheapest option in warmer climates, this can balance the additional energy expenses.
However, this does not imply that all dehumidifiers are energy efficient. Some low-quality dehumidifiers consume significantly more electricity than they should and extract water slowly. Given that a good dehumidifier can be had for under 200, it’s usually advisable to spend a little more on a high-quality unit.
There are also a number of features that can help you save electricity. If you’re concerned about your energy cost, keep an eye out for the following:
- Smart Control + Humidstat It will consume less energy if a dehumidifier monitors the humidity and only turns on when necessary.
- Coil Coating with Hydrophilic Properties. Due to the improved water extraction rates of refrigerant dehumidifiers with this coating, you won’t need to operate the dehumidifier for as long.
- Protection Against Overdrying When the air becomes too dry, some dehumidifiers turn off automatically. This keeps your lips from drying out and cracking while also saving you money on your electricity bill.
- Extraction of water quickly. The quicker a dehumidifier removes moisture from the air, the less time it will need to run. The goal is to select the appropriate dehumidifier for the situation (i.e. a desiccant for colder rooms or a refrigerant for warmer ones)
Do dehumidifiers help you save money on your heating bills?
This may be a nightmare for landlords with renters who do everything wrong and generate condensation and moisture problems, because tenants frequently protest that dehumidifiers raise their heating expenses, even if landlords agree to give one. Here’s a counter-argument to consider if you’re having this problem this winter.
Not only is it more expensive to heat wet air than dry air, but excessive humidity also makes a place feel colder than it is, causing people to set their thermostats higher than they need to. A dehumidifier removes this humidity, which can help you save money on your energy expenses.
It’s also worth noting that damp exacerbates health concerns, which is especially true in the winter. Mold development is more prevalent as condensation forms in windows owing to wet air. Mould and damp can aggravate asthma, irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, and cause sinus congestion, headaches, common colds, and tonsillitis, all of which are more common in the winter.
As energy companies raise costs this winter, an increasing number of people are turning to dehumidifiers to save money and keep healthy.
Is it necessary to leave the dehumidifier on all day?
To summarize, you should operate your dehumidifier for at least 12 hours every day. This is a good guideline to follow. It’s fine if you don’t follow this timetable every day, but keep in mind that the more your family uses the dehumidifier unit, the fresher and cleaner it will be throughout the year.
If you have any questions on how to run your dehumidifier, please leave them in the comments section below and I will respond as soon as possible.
What in a house consumes the most electricity?
The breakdown of energy use in a typical home is depicted in today’s infographic from Connect4Climate.
It displays the average annual cost of various appliances as well as the appliances that consume the most energy over the course of the year.
Modern convenience comes at a cost, and keeping all those air conditioners, freezers, chargers, and water heaters running is the third-largest energy demand in the US.
One of the simplest ways to save energy and money is to eliminate waste. Turn off “vampire electronics,” or devices that continue to draw power even when switched off. DVRs, laptop computers, printers, DVD players, central heating furnaces, routers and modems, phones, gaming consoles, televisions, and microwaves are all examples.
A penny saved is a cent earned, and being more energy efficient is excellent for both your wallet and the environment, as Warren Buffett would undoubtedly agree.