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.
Is it true that dehumidifiers raise your electric bill?
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 it true that dehumidifiers consume a lot of electricity?
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.
- The number of hours you want your dehumidifier to run.
- 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.
Is it true that a dehumidifier can help you save energy?
If you’ve lived in Eastman, Georgia for a long time, you’re probably used to the heavy humidity. You may be aware that a dehumidifier can help you keep moisture in your home under control. But did you realize that this device can also help you save energy in your home? Learn how a whole-home dehumidifier can help you save energy by enhancing HVAC efficiency and reducing cooling needs.
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 possible to leave a dehumidifier on all of the time?
No, the dehumidifier does not need to be on all of the time. When the humidity level is 50% or greater, it’s usually enough to run the unit. For most homes, a comfortable humidity level of 30-50 percent is a decent rule of thumb to remember.
Set your humidistat to a comfortable level, but not too low. Because the unit operates when it doesn’t need to and should actually turn off, you wind up wasting energy and money.
Furthermore, keep in mind that if you run a dehumidifier continuously, the tank will continue to fill. As a result, the unit should either have an auto shut-off option or a pump that automatically drains the water.
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.
How much does it cost to run a dehumidifier?
1 kW of power costs roughly 10-12 pence per hour. We display the wattage on each product, therefore a 300w machine will cost 3-4 pence each hour, depending on your electricity rate. If you run an average dehumidifier continually, it will cost you roughly 3-4 pence per hour. Adsorption machines, on the other hand, will cost you around 5 pence per hour. However, at temperatures below 20 degrees Celsius, adsorption machines such as the DD200, DD300, and DD400 will accomplish the work faster, resulting in lower total expenses than a standard refrigerated dehumidifier. The actual running expenses will drop dramatically after the house is brought under control, as the dehumidifier will need to run less.
Which is less expensive to operate: a dehumidifier or an air conditioner?
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.
Is it worthwhile to invest in a dehumidifier?
A dehumidifier has been shown to have various health benefits. The biggest advantage is that allergies and irritants are reduced in wet parts of your home.
There’s also some evidence that a dehumidifier can help asthma sufferers breathe easier.
Dehumidifiers are widely available and inexpensive. Giving one a shot might make a difference in the degree of comfort you have at home.
Do dehumidifiers save money on energy?
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.
