If you’re planning to buy a dehumidifier or already have one but need to know how much it costs to run this home improvement product, you’re not alone.
The fact is, dehumidifiers won’t take a toll on your monthly bills. But you’re going to pay for some extras!
This post discusses how much it costs to run a dehumidifier.
That said, consider that other factors, like the type and size of a dehumidifier, can also influence the overall running cost.
What is The Average Cost Of Running a Dehumidifier?
The cost of running a dehumidifier varies. At the same time, some people may spend up to $25 per year. The Golden rule of thumb is: the bigger the size, the higher the bill. You can churn out about $350 per year on larger units (mainly those with over 70 pints).
Simple Ways To Calculate the Energy Cost Of a Dehumidifier (Let’s Do Some Math)
Two factors determine the amount of energy your dehumidifier will use. They include the power rate and the number of watts. While you may not know the exact cost, you can make a rough estimate. Just figure out the following things;
Your utility charges per kilowatt-hour are easily identifiable by checking the extra fees on your bill. They are the typical extras on each kilowatt-hour.
Most dehumidifiers draw power in watts, but some companies use volts and amps instead. But don’t fret.
Just do the conversion yourself. Pretty simple. Multiply the amps and volts for your estimates and divide your resulting watts by 1000.
Do I Need to Run my Dehumidifier 24/7?
The length of time required to run your dehumidifier is usually determined by humidity level and size of the room.
Most new houses have higher humidity, so you may need to run them daily.
A healthy environment will maintain a 40-60% humidity to prevent bacteria development.
While your dehumidifier can run daily, you may shorten its lifespan with daily operations.
How to Improve Dehumidifier efficiency
Although dehumidifiers consume little electricity, improving their energy efficiency is a good idea. This way, it’d only take a little effort to get rid of excess moisture. Here we go:
Keep The Doors and Windows Shut
First, shut all doors and windows when you want to run your dehumidifier. This practice aims to prevent excess moisture from entering the room and improve your dehumidifier’s efficiency.
Block all holes and cracks
Check for cracks and holes in your doors and windows as they pave the way for moisture to enter your home.
Securely place your dehumidifier.
It’s also important to consider the position of your dehumidifier. Please keep it away from dusty areas that can clog your dehumidifier’s internal components and reduce its performance.
Always Check the Water Seepage
Check your home drainage regularly. I’ve seen instances where water enters the wall through the clogged drain. Unfortunately, the water evaporates, increasing the humidity level and reducing air quality.
In addition, check your dryer. Some malfunctioned dryers can blow moist air into the room.
Maintain clean Air ducts
Lastly, always clean the air ducts inside your room.
Air ducts can transport damp air, and when combined with dust, can be unhealthy and ultimately impair the dehumidifier’s efficiency.
Do Dehumidifiers Use Lots Of Electricity?
It’s important to consider this question before purchasing your dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers do not use a lot of electricity. So you’re not going to get higher bills when you install one. Let’s briefly break down the costs factor:
Cost Of Operation Per Hour
A dehumidifier typically has a 280 watts-hour power rating. Let’s say your cost of utility power runs at 15 cents per kWh. Your dehumidifier will run for 0.280 x 15 = 4.2 cents per hour. Therefore, it’s inexpensive to run a dehumidifier.
Bonus tip
Choose energy-efficient units
Another workable way of reducing your electricity cost is to go for Energy-efficient models.
On average, bigger dehumidifiers are more energy-efficient than the smaller models. However, we’re saying something other than you should go for a giant model on the market. Instead, you should prioritize a model that supports your installation space.
Bottom Line
Owning a dehumidifier is a long-term investment! They don’t come cheaply. They consume a considerably high amount of energy depending on their size.
Fortunately, you can easily calculate your daily, monthly, or even yearly energy consumption.
But if you already own a dehumidifier and would love to lower its influence on your monthly bills, there are several ways you can achieve that. For example, you can boost air circulation by adding an extra fan and keeping the windows open. In addition, moisture absorbers can also leverage your job.
My name is Theresa Clark. I am an engineer and air quality specialist.
