The equipment a contractor employs on the job site during water or fire repair jobs might use a lot of electricity. It’s critical for repair professionals to figure out how much electricity they used on the job so that the cost can be included to the property owner’s insurance claim. On a typical restoration project, you can use the method below to calculate the power consumption cost of running a dehumidifier or air mover.
To begin, convert amp draw to kilowatt-hours (kWh). Then multiply kWh by the local kilowatt-hour charge.
The formula is as follows:
- Watts per hour Equals amps x voltage
- Killowatts per hour = watts per hour divided by 1,000. (kWh)
- Hourly electricity cost per unit = kWh x cost per kWh
- 3 amps multiplied by 115 volts equals 345 watts per hour
- 0.345 kWh = 345 watts per hour / 1,000
- $0.0552 hourly electricity cost = 0.345 $0.16*
If you assume that 15 of these air movers will be needed for 120 hours, the cost is computed as follows:
*The national average cost per kWh in 2020 was around $0.16. To discover the cost per kWh in your location, you may need to call the local power utility company or acquire a copy of the property owner’s electricity bill.
How long can an air mover run?
Cleaning of carpets Drying times are a problem for professionals and contractors that clean carpets. The client clearly wants the carpet to dry as soon as possible so that the area can be used again. This, however, may pose a safety risk.
It’s risky to go from a wet carpet to a hard surface floor. As a result, proactive residential carpet cleaners now know to provide customers advance notice of a potential slip-and-fall hazard while the carpet is still wet.
Wet carpet has an impact on more than only the safety of building inhabitants; it also has an impact on the cleaning job’s effectiveness. The carpet is more susceptible to quick resoiling while it is wet. Dust and dry soil, which may have little or no effect on a carpet when dry, can soon transform to mud, wreaking havoc on its appearance. Furthermore, cleaning solution residue may still be present in damp carpets. If the residue is there, it works as a magnet, attracting dirt, dust, and filth.
So, how can we make carpets dry faster once they’ve been cleaned? The extractor is the first step. Technicians should inspect their vacuum motor, filter, and hoses to ensure they are in good operating order. Furthermore, the extractor’s wand can have a significant impact on carpet drying timeframes.
However, once we’ve verified that our equipment is in good operating order and that we’re using the right wand for the task, air movers are the most efficient way to dry carpets. These aren’t the kind of fans you’d find in a hardware shop. Fans are typically meant to blow air across a large area, not necessarily the carpet. Air movers, on the other hand, are commercial devices that blow massive amounts of air directly over the carpet, causing more moisture to go airborne and evaporate.
Air movers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but the following are the most frequent ones for reducing carpet drying times:
Centrifugal air mover: This is the most prevalent form of air mover. The fan lies on top of the carpet and blows air directly onto it. A centrifugal air mover with two or three speed settings should be chosen by technicians. When drying floor finishes, a lower setting is recommended; when drying carpet, a higher setting is recommended. Some centrifugal air movers may be changed to a variety of angles, allowing them to be utilized for a variety of drying applications.
Downdraft: This equipment takes drier, typically warmer air from above and blows it down across the carpet or floor surface, hence the name. Because the air is released in a 360-degree arrangement, it can assist in the drying of a vast area. In rare situations, an entire room’s carpet can be dry in as little as 20 minutes.
Low-profile: Also known as “snail air movers” or “whistle air movers,” these systems work similarly to centrifugal air movers.
As air is taken into the unit, it is released via the machine’s snout, allowing for high-volume, direct air flow. These air movers have two distinct characteristics: For starters, they are usually very light and can be quickly moved from one location to another. Second, some are stackable, meaning one unit may be placed immediately on top of another, making storage and transportation easier.
When cleaning the carpet, air movers should be employed. Place an air mover at either end of the hallway that was recently cleaned as soon as it is clean and before moving on to the next area. A general rule of thumb is to place at least one unit every 200 feet for exceptionally lengthy hallways. This means that, for example, a 400-square-foot room will almost certainly require two air movers. Air circulation can be improved by placing them in corners. These best practice guidelines apply to various types of places, not only hallways.
Start with centrifugal and downdraft systems while deciding which systems to utilize. Low-profile devices are often employed in smaller, more specialised regions. In many circumstances, a carpet may be dried in about 20 minutes by just allowing an air mover to work its magic. Even if it isn’t totally dry, it will considerably cut drying time.
Many of these methods may be used to dry damp, freshly finished, or flood-damaged flooring in comparable ways. The same procedure that speeds up the drying of carpets also speeds up the drying of hard surface flooring.
It’s vital to know that moisture can seep down to the carpet pad and even the floor underneath in some cases. When operated correctly, a good carpet extractor should keep this from happening. If this happens, one solution is to rip up the carpet in the issue area and insert a centrifugal or low-profile air mover over the pad and/or floor. Allowing the system to run for up to 30 minutes, depending on the quantity of moisture, should assist.
The use of air movers should be considered the second half of the carpet extraction process. Not only does this benefit the consumer and encourage safety, but it can also help protect carpet fibers and the carpet’s backing, as well as improve the carpet’s overall appearance.
Is it true that portable 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.
One day of use of the most energy efficient dehumidifier equates to:
How much does a dehumidifier cost to run 24 hours a day?
Electricity expenses for dehumidifiers range from 3 cents to 15 cents per hour. 8 cents is the most typical hourly rate.
The power consumption was calculated using data from 573 dehumidifiers. Visit Dehumidifier Wattage & Most Efficient Revealed for more information about dehumidifier power consumption.
The hourly cost is calculated using the daily operating costs for accuracy. So, let’s have a look at how much it costs to run a dehumidifier for a day.
How much does it cost to run a dehumidifier 24 hours a day
A dehumidifier can cost anywhere from $0.83 to $3.54 per day to run, with $1.97 being the most common price.
Dehumidifiers that are older and less efficient tend to use a lot of electricity. The coils, compressors, and fans in their refrigerators are not as efficient as those in modern models.
This leads to higher daily operating costs, which can add up quickly over time.
Cost to run a dehumidifier per month
The monthly cost of running a dehumidifier ranges from $24.84 for the most efficient model to $106.20 for older inefficient versions.
Cost to run energy efficient dehumidifiers
The cost of running an energy efficient dehumidifier ranges from $0.83 to $1.97 per day, with an average of $1.54.
This is based on 502 ENERGY STAR certified dehumidifiers’ IEF (L/kWh) and daily capacity.
The cost per hour, cost per week, and cost per month to run 14 energy efficient dehumidifiers are listed in the table below.
This table also shows the dehumidifiers’ sq. ft. coverage, as well as whether they’re ENERGY STAR certified and have earned the coveted “ENERGY STAR Most Efficient” certification. If you want additional information on individual dehumidifiers, there are also links to Amazon.
The operating costs are calculated at 15 cents per kWh and assume that the appliance is used 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Cost to run the most energy efficient dehumidifier
The most energy efficient dehumidifier (the 50 pint Midea Cubesee more, including pricing, on Amazon, here) costs 8 cents per hour, $1.80 per day, and $54.14 per month to run. The same type, but with a pump, may be found here).
Because of its IEF (L/kWh) and innovative features, the 50 Pint Media Cube is considered the most energy efficient. More information about the most energy efficient dehumidifier may be found here.
While it has the “ENERGY STAR Most Efficient” badge, it does not use the least amount of electricity among the energy efficient dehumidifiers on the short list.
The 20 Pint Media Cube is the most energy efficient dehumidifier on the market, costing just over 3 cents per hour, 84 cents per day, and $25.10 per month to run.
In comparison to its greater capacity counterpart, this model is suited for smaller rooms.
Amazon’s #1 best seller, which costs just 1 cent more per hour and has a more classic dehumidifier style, also made the shortlist of energy efficient dehumidifiers. Here’s a link to Amazon’s best seller.
Visit Dehumidifier Wattage & Most Efficient Revealed to learn more about dehumidifier energy efficiency, including why the most energy efficient model uses more electricity than others.
So now that we know how much it costs to run a dehumidifier, let’s put it in context by examining the impact on power bills and comparing the expenses to those of other typical household appliances.
Are dehumidifiers expensive to run
While the hourly operating cost (6 cents on average) may not appear to be significant, the expenditures accumulate over time.
Dehumidifiers are frequently used for long periods of time, running for days or even months at a time.
Dehumidifiers can add $46.07 to your electricity bill if left running constantly for 30 days.
Dehumidifiers can add a stunning 40% to your monthly electricity price, according to eia.gov, when compared to the average US electricity bill of $115.
If you run a dehumidifier for 8 hours per day for 30 days, your electricity bill will increase by $15.36, or 13%.
Let’s put things into perspective by comparing the average daily cost of running a dehumidifier to the cost of running other typical household equipment.
The average daily cost of running a dehumidifier (i.e. $1.54) is equal to:
Is a dehumidifier going to increase your electric bill?
Increased atmospheric humidity stops the body from releasing heat through sweat in hot and humid weather. As a result, the “real feel temperature” is greater than the actual temperature, prompting people to turn up the thermostat. Dehumidifiers remove moisture from your home’s air, making the temperature feel a little cooler. Despite the fact that both dehumidifiers and air conditioners use electricity, dehumidifiers use less, resulting in a lower overall electricity expenditure.
Is it possible to leave the air conditioner on overnight?
A carpet blower should never be left alone. Carpet blowers and dryers should never be left unattended or running overnight. Move the fan around every hour or two to ensure even drying.
Is it possible to leave an industrial dehumidifier running all night?
Yes, we recommend utilizing a dehumidifier 24 hours a day; however, be aware that the machine will always make noise while it is running. If they will be used near bedrooms, we recommend one of our smaller and quieter Woods dehumidifiers, such as the MRD10, MRD14, or Woods 36. Otherwise, we recommend running the dehumidifier from early morning through late evening before shutting it off. If the machine is located in a hallway and the bedrooms are located upstairs, you may not be able to hear it.
Is it cheaper to run an air conditioner or a dehumidifier?
However, this convenience comes at a cost, and many people ask if it is more cost effective to use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier. When both units are of average capacity and have typical running times, it is generally cheaper to run a dehumidifier than an air conditioner. Regardless, because each has its unique role, this does not mean you should get rid of your air conditioner and replace it with a dehumidifier.
Both air conditioners and dehumidifiers have their functions, and understanding them will keep you from preferring one over the other without reason.
On average, you can anticipate to pay the following amount on your monthly power bill:
- Depending on their size, portable dehumidifiers can cost anywhere from $25 to $350 per year. Although this isn’t the most accurate way of looking at it, it breaks down to $2 to $29 every month. In the hot and humid winter months, most dehumidifiers, like air conditioners, operate nonstop, whereas in the summer, they barely run or are even turned off.
- Your monthly electricity bill will normally increase by $80 to $125 if you have central air conditioning.
- Electricity costs for mini-split air conditioners with an average capacity (about 12,000 to 20,000 BTU) range from $35 to $50 per month. Portable or window air conditioners with equivalent BTU capabilities should cost around half as much.
Let’s look at the similarities and differences between your air conditioner and dehumidifier now that you know the pricing.
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.
Here are the things in your house that consume the most energy:
- Cooling and heating account for 47% of total energy consumption.
- Water heater consumes 14% of total energy.
- 13 percent of energy is used by the washer and dryer.
- Lighting accounts for 12% of total energy use.
- Refrigerator: 4% of total energy consumption
- Electric oven: 34% energy consumption
- TV, DVD, and cable box: 3% of total energy consumption
- Dishwasher: 2% of total energy consumption
- Computer: 1% of total energy consumption
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 your wallet and the environment, as Warren Buffett would undoubtedly agree.
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.
Other benefits of a dehumidifier include less moisture damage to furnishings, reduced mold and mildew growth, and enhanced health, all of which 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 energy does a dehumidifier consume?
A dehumidifier’s average energy usage is 280 watts-hour, or 0.28 kilowatt-hour. Are you unsure what it means? Don’t be concerned; you’re not alone. Simply said, a kilowatt-hour (Wh) is a unit of measurement for the quantity of energy consumed over time. Your dehumidifier will use 0.28 kilowatts if you operate it for an hour.
We put up this short tutorial to help you navigate the basics like a pro if you’re interested in learning more about different energy units and what they signify for your power usage.
