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.
Is it true that dehumidifiers consume a lot of electricity?
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 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.
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.
How much energy does a dehumidifier consume on a daily basis?
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?
In real time, the operating cost of an electric dehumidifier depends on the size of a room, the humidity entering the space, the number of hours you need to keep it on 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 necessary to keep 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.
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.
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.
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.
Is it necessary to use a dehumidifier in the summer?
You should use a dehumidifier to minimize the quantity of moisture in the air if you want your home to be as pleasant as possible during the summer months. Using a dehumidifier throughout the summer improves indoor air quality and helps to reduce irritants such as mold and mildew.
Improves Health
According to the EPA, inhaling wet indoor air can cause coughing, wheezing, and asthma symptoms. However, keeping your home’s relative humidity between 30% and 50% will significantly minimize the growth of dust mites and other allergens. According to the EPA, controlling humidity can lower the amount of formaldehyde emitted by wood goods, cigarette smoke, paints, varnishes, and carpets, which can be released when indoor air is excessively hot and humid.
Prevents Damage
Humidity levels that are too high might foster mold growth and attract pests like termites. According to the EPA, this can cause deterioration and corrosion in building materials, causing damage to timber support beams and floors, as well as paint, furniture, and insulation. Exposure to wetness for an extended period of time can warp books and even harm gadgets.
Saves Money
Because dry air is cooler, utilizing a dehumidifier in the summer can help you save money on cooling expenses by reducing the amount of time you spend using your air conditioner (or set it at a higher temperature). According to a research conducted by the Department of Energy in Florida, a whole-house dehumidifier combined with a central air-conditioning unit might save 8.2 percent in space-conditioning energy over the course of a year.