Dehumidifiers are generally more energy-efficient for reducing humidity as they specifically target moisture without significantly lowering the temperature. They use less energy because their main function is to remove moisture from the air, and that uses significantly less power than cooling an entire room.
Yet just looking at the average estimates, we can see a clear winner: a dehumidifier costs on average $0.03 and $0.16 per hour to run, while an AC unit will run you $0.06 and $0.88 on average per hour. So while you could find AC units that cost less than a dehumidifier, most AC units will cost much more.
If you're now using a portable dehumidifier in your home, it's increasing your energy bills. If yours is a 50-pint dehumidifier and you run it for 8 hours per day, it could cost you up to $40 per month.
Dry mode can help to save on electricity bills, as the air conditioner does not have to work as hard to cool the air. By reducing the workload on the compressor and fan, dry mode can help to extend the life of the air conditioning unit and reduce maintenance costs.
High humidity levels can make a room feel warmer, even if the temperature is set low. By using a dehumidifier, you can remove excess moisture from the air, which will make it feel cooler and more comfortable. This can help reduce the need for air conditioning and potentially help you save on energy bills.
You potentially turn your air conditioner lower to feel more cool air. However, this makes your AC run more frequently and longer, which ultimately shortens its lifespan. A dehumidifier lowers your home's humidity, allowing you to set your thermostat higher, saving energy, money, and your AC's lifespan.
Dehumidifiers are generally more energy-efficient for reducing humidity as they specifically target moisture without significantly lowering the temperature. They use less energy because their main function is to remove moisture from the air, and that uses significantly less power than cooling an entire room.
You should only use dry mode for just one to two hours at a time. Letting your air conditioner run indefinitely while in dry mode can leave you with excessively dry indoor air. This can lead to sneezing, dry eyes, dry skin, and other uncomfortable symptoms.
Eco or energy-saving mode
This is the ideal mode for users looking to save up on energy bills by toning down the performance of the AC and its compressor. Eco-mode uses less electricity by automatically adjusting the fan speed and temperature, while still maintaining a comfortable level of cooling.
Mold stays “dormant” in the air or on surfaces even when there's no excess moisture to help it grow. If the humidity in a room increases, mold will start growing in patches on walls, clothes, and more. So, to answer your question, dehumidifiers do NOT kill mold, but they do prevent it by reducing humidity.
The bigger the dehumidifier (and the higher the wattage), the more watts it'll generally use. Large ones can use up to 500 watts, while the smaller models usually only use about 22 watts. All of these factors can also impact your dehumidifier's energy use.
Is a dehumidifier better than an air conditioner? Dehumidifiers are better at removing excess humidity and moisture from the air than air conditioners but are not better at moving warm and cool air like AC units do.
Some versions provide the option of draining into a sink or out a window so that you don't have to worry about the collection tank filling up. A dehumidifier and an air conditioner can be used simultaneously.
The power consumption of most dehumidifiers ranges from 300 to 600 watts. Suppose you have a medium-sized 400-watt dehumidifier that runs eight hours a day. If the average electricity cost in your area is 15 cents per hour (like a penny and a half), that dehumidifier would cost about $1.92 to run each week.
Yes, a central air conditioning system is designed to remove humidity, but it can only do so much by itself. If you are dealing with high humidity levels in your living space, you may want to install a dehumidifier.
Dry mode only needs to slowly pass air over the evaporator coils while cool mode needs to pass air over them with more power. When an AC unit runs on dry mode, it uses less electricity than the same AC unit running in cool mode. This makes dry mode the ideal choice when the weather is humid but not necessarily hot.
Moisture buildup or condensation on closet walls or room ceilings and walls also indicates high humidity. Humidity should be monitored daily since outside temperatures will change. Consider purchasing a digital hygrometer (inexpensive and widely available) and check it regularly.
It's a fact: dehumidification keeps indoor air at its optimum humidity level, which helps you and your family breathe easier. But that's not all – it also fights against common allergy triggers, such as dust mites, mould and mildew which thrive in an excessively humid environment.
Operational Costs
So the hourly cost of running a dehumidifier might range from $0.03 to $0.16. On the other hand, an AC unit can cost you between $0.06 to $0.88 an hour. So, there is a noticeable difference between the operational costs of a dehumidifier and an air conditioning system.
Reduced Energy Costs
It's true! A dehumidifier helps your cooling system work more efficiently day-after-day.
According to the EPA, humidifiers account for approximately 0.11 percent of all electricity consumed in U.S. households. The type of humidifier you choose will determine how much energy it consumes. For instance, the EPA reports a cool-mist humidifier consumes 136 percent more energy than an ultrasonic model.
A common misconception is that dehumidifiers are expensive to operate because of their high energy requirements. However, there are modern and high-end dehumidifiers that can filter out 12L to 20L of excess humidity while only using 185 watts and 378 watts of power.
Mould will easily grow and spread if the right conditions are present. So, dehumidifiers don't kill mould, but they can help to prevent it from growing inside your home by reducing humidity. However, the best way to deal with it is to get rid of its source.
As a general rule of thumb you may need to empty your dehumidifiers bucket at intervals ranging from once every two days to twice a day, depending on the conditions.