- If you run your dehumidifier for 8 hours each day for 30 days, your electricity bill will rise by $15.36, or 13%.
Will using a dehumidifier help me save money on my electricity 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 immediately 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.
Is it true that a dehumidifier uses a lot of electricity?
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. A dehumidifier uses significantly less electricity than a water heater, air conditioner, or even a hair dryer.
In a year, how much electricity does a dehumidifier consume?
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 every home can be adequately aired to remove all extra 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.
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 is the monthly electricity consumption of a dehumidifier?
The most typical quantity of electricity used by dehumidifiers is 0.548 kWh per hour.
Dehumidifiers use 0.23 kWh to 0.983 kWh of electricity per hour on average.
Dehumidifiers that are ENERGY STAR certified utilize between 0.23 and 0.548 kWh of electricity per hour.
How much electricity dehumidifiers use per day
Dehumidifiers consume between 5.52 and 23.6 kWh of electricity per day, with 13.14 kWh being the most typical.
Dehumidifiers that are ENERGY STAR certified utilize between 5.52 and 13.14 kWh of electricity each day.
Dehumidifier electricity usage per month
Dehumidifiers utilize 307.2 kWh of electricity per month on average, assuming 30 days of continuous use.
The average monthly electricity consumption of a dehumidifier is 394.2 kWh.
Is this, however, a lot? Let’s take a look at how and where dehumidifiers use electricity first.
Dehumidifier energy use
When dehumidifiers are in use, they consume varying quantities of energy. When eliminating moisture from the air, they cycle through various stages, activating various components.
The quantity of energy used by the refrigeration coil, fan, compressor, and standby mode varies.
The humidity level in a room has an impact on energy consumption as well; the higher the humidity, the more energy is consumed.
The hourly, daily, and monthly electricity usage estimates stated above require continuous usage over a 24 hour period in order to provide realistic energy usage evaluations.
The figures are based on 573 dehumidifiers’ electricity usage. For the majority of dehumidifiers, ENERGY STAR provided IEF (L/kWh) and daily capacity (more on these below). Older models as well as the best-selling ones are covered.
Let’s put the consumption of dehumidifiers into context now that we know where they utilize energy and how much electricity they use.
How much do dehumidifiers cost in terms of electricity?
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.
The dehumidifiers’ sq. ft. coverage, as well as whether or not they’re ENERGY STAR certified and have earned the coveted “ENERGY STAR Most Efficient” certification, are all listed in this table. 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 Cube check details, 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.
Despite receiving 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.
How much does it cost 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 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.
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 generate heat in the room?
Yes, dehumidifiers produce a tiny amount of heat during operation. However, most clients are unaware of it for several reasons: (1) It’s only a small rise, and (2) dehumidifiers eliminate moisture from rooms, making them seem naturally colder and more pleasant.