Like every electricity-powered device, it’s only wise you understand the electrical energy of a device before buying it. I know that’s what you’re thinking, do dehumidifiers take a lot of electricity?
Here’s the simple answer; dehumidifiers are cheap to run, they use a little amount of electricity.
However, there are questions we will address, which include how to calculate dehumidifiers’ demerit cost and whether it’s wise to buy a dehumidifier for your home.
Let’s dive in.
How to Calculate a Dehumidifier Energy Cost?
Before showing you how to calculate the energy cost of running a dehumidifier. First, your news to understand the following;
- The watts per hour of a dehumidifier. You will find this information on the annual or the website of the company.
- The time frame you intend running the dehumidifier (e.g. 8 hours daily)
- Your average electricity cost
- Your power bill is in kilowatts-hour.
The formula of the estimated daily cost of a dehumidifier;
- Watts × running hours ÷ 1000 × power rates = cost per day
So for instance, your 400w dehumidifier runs for 8 hours
The calculation for daily running is:
- 400 (watts) × 8 (hours) ÷ 1000 (kilowatts) × 0.15 (power rates)
- = $0.48 per day.
To get the monthly running cost of the dehumidifier.
All you need to do is;
Multiply the daily cost by 30 days (month)
- That’s $0.48 × 30 days
- = $14.4 per month
Then to know the annual or yearly running cost of the dehumidifier.
Multiply your monthly cost by 12 months (year)
- That’s $14.4 × 12 months
- = $172.8 per year
However, you must understand that the role of a dehumidifier’s moisture removal rate plays in its energy efficiency.
To explain what I mean. Understand that the energy consumed by a 70-pint dehumidifier won’t be the same with a 30-pint dehumidifier, because of the higher output.
However, a 30-pint dehumidifier would run for a longer time because of the little moisture removed at a go. Meaning the longer the running hours, the higher your total electricity bill.
That’s why purchasing a bigger capacity dehumidifier is more efficient than a lower capacity dehumidifier. However, using a bigger capacity dehumidifier in a small room will overkill it.
Why?
There are fewer moisture problems in a small room or enclosed space, so a compact rechargeable dehumidifier would make sense.
How Dehumidifiers Work?
They absorb moisture content in the air, condense them into water droplets, and distribute dry air back into the room.
Using a dehumidifier improves breathing quality, stops mold from growing, and removes any musty odor in the room.
Also, using a dehumidifier can lower your electric bills and cool your room temperature. This means that with a humidity of 50%, a dehumidifier will help improve the energy efficiency in your room, which allows the air purifier to run efficiently.
Factors That Increase The Electricity Cost Of A Dehumidifier
1. Room size
Before buying a dehumidifier, consider your room size. The bigger your room, the more hours the dehumidifier needs to efficiently run to manage your room humidity.
Also, understand that the moisture content in the air determines the time frame it would take your dehumidifier to run efficiently.
2. The kilowatts rate
The kilowatts rate plays a big role because you should find out what the power company charges for it.
3. Energy star label
The energy star label is a dehumidifier model that consumes less energy compared to other models like equivalent capacity dehumidifiers.
To know more about this model visit the energy star label and check different dehumidifiers models.
Do Dehumidifiers Take a Lot of Electricity?
I want you to know that dehumidifiers are cheap to use. From my research, I found out that you will spend around $0.08 to $ 0.16 per hour.
Based on this figure, the cost of using a dehumidifier daily is between $1.92 to $3.48. While the annual cost would be around $23.04 to $46.08.
From this little analysis, it’s clear that a dehumidifier would cost you less electricity compared to an air conditioner, hairdryer, washing machine, or vacuum cleaner.
Let’s assume you own a 30-pint dehumidifier that uses 280 watts of energy hourly or 0.28 kwh. You won’t be charged high on utility bills even if it runs cleaner.
This means that the amount of electricity consumed is dependent on the type of dehumidifier, the efficiency, and the size. For instance, a big 70-pint dehumidifier uses more electricity compared to a 30-pint dehumidifier.
Should You Buy a Dehumidifier?
The answer is Yes or No.
Let me start with the answer No. If your indoor humidity level is too high, it will affect your bills. So instead of depending on a dehumidifier to minimize dampness in the air, consider doing the following:
- Improve the ventilation of your room
- Increase your room temperature
- Place house plants in your room like Spider Plant, Reed Palm, Peace Lily, etc.
- Multi-purpose air conditioner with a dehumidifying feature.
Yes. You should consider buying a dehumidifier if:
- Anyone has a prolonged allergy season every year
- There’s water leakage in your room after heavy rainfall
- There’s muggy air anytime you enter your house
- An increase in pests like cockroaches, moths, or spiders
- Your clothes always smell moldy even after washing them
- Persistent symptoms of respiratory sickness like runny nose, coughing, etc.
- Anyone with an allergy to dust mites.
Dehumidifiers create a healthy environment by eliminating dust, mold, and also invaders like spiders, cockroaches, etc.
So running a dehumidifier can cool off your home if you live in a humid climate place, which will reduce the use of air conditioners.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Will a dehumidifier lower my electric bill?
That depends on whether you had an AC installed in the first place. A dehumidifier will drastically reduce your utility bill once you start using it instead of an AC. Because it will
increase the comfort level of your home almost as much as an air conditioner.
For example, a 30-pint dehumidifier takes 300 watts of electricity, whereas an AC requires around 3000 watts per hour. So, the dehumidifier is consuming what a simple desktop computer requires to run an hour.
From this point of view, a dehumidifier will definitely lower your electricity bills.
2. Is it okay to run a dehumidifier all the time?
You can run a dehumidifier all day long, but this isn’t necessary.
Dehumidifiers are required when the humidity level in the air hits 50% or higher. If the humidity reaches 30-50%, a running dehumidifier will stop the process (auto-shutoff feature).
Though it varies among different units, a general rule of thumb is to keep your unit on for 12 hours a day. Dehumidifiers take less energy than most other household appliances, and there’s no need to pile up the bill by running it all the time.
3. How do I calculate the dehumidifier?
The dehumidifiers’ size depends on their moisture removal capacity or pints per day rate. By multiplying your room’s length and width, you can measure
your room size. And then, you can look for a dehumidifier that fits the size.
Here’s a dehumidifier size that will come in handy.
4. Is a dehumidifier a good investment?
It’s a good investment because it will prevent damage from humidity-related
problems within your home. Besides, a dehumidifier-
- Reduces health issues for people with allergies, headaches, asthma,
- Prevents molds, wall dampness, and water beading on surfaces,
- Promotes a cleaner and more comfortable air quality in the surroundings, and
- Consumes less energy than an air conditioner or hairdryer.
5. Should I get a dehumidifier for my house?
Getting a dehumidifier for your house will help reduce odors that come with mildew
and mold. Also, it will help minimize dust content in your room, which means you won’t
be cleaning too often.
Besides, dehumidifiers prevent wall dampening as well. Although it’s not a solution to the greater problem, these devices are very effective in treating the symptoms of house dampness.
Moreover, dehumidifiers lower the humidity level within an enclosed area, making the air lighter and more comfortable. That’s the fundamental purpose of these devices. So, it’s a great addition to any household to replace or aid the air conditioning system.
Conclusion
We have learned that dehumidifiers have established health benefits. Their major benefit is minimizing the presence of irritants and allergens in damp places of your home.
Also, it was established that a dehumidifier doesn’t consume much electricity and helps asthmatic people breathe better.
Now you have gotten answers to your question, “do dehumidifiers take a lot of electricity?” Try giving it a try by buying today and seeing the difference in the comfort level of your home.