Running a dehumidifier can impact your electric bill through increased energy consumption.
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.
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.
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.
Yes, if an average dehumidifier in an average location were to run continuously it would cost over $700 per year in electricity cost! In general, your dehumidifier will not run 24 hours per day all year long. Even if you assume the dehumidifier ran just 50% of the time, your annual cost would be $363.
However, we always recommend leaving your dehumidifier running 24/7 [see below]. It will turn on and off as needed (depending on the relative humidity level) and therefore continuously prevent condensation." See what our experts say about what size dehumidifier you need.
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.
Should you keep your dehumidifier running all the time? In order to achieve the ideal indoor relative humidity levels of 35 to 50 percent, it is recommended that you run a dehumidifier for 12 hours a day.
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.
Dehumidifiers are popular, and it's for good reason – these handy appliances are not only energy efficient but can significantly improve your home environment.
A cost-effective alternative to dehumidifiers
Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) is a comprehensive whole-house ventilation system that eliminates moisture and mould in your home.
An air conditioner will reduce the humidity AND lower the temperature significantly. So, dehumidifiers are best used in situations where moisture ( humidity ) is a problem but where significant cooling is not required.
Yes, moderately. Depending on the type of dehumidifier i.e. compressor or desiccant it may increase the temperature in the room by a few degrees.
An example dehumidifier that can extract up to 20 litres a day, with a wattage of 480W would use 0.48 kW every hour. This means that an hour's usage would cost just 12p. In comparison, an example dehumidifier that can extract up to 12 litres a day, with a wattage of 157W (0.157 kW), would cost just under 4p an hour.
Set the Right Humidity
To get your manually-controlled dehumidifier up and running, set its humidity level. You want it set at 30 – 50%. If there's too much moisture, you'll get dampness and mould. If there's too little moisture, your home will be too dry and attract bacteria.
A dehumidifier will not lower the temperature of your room, but it can make you feel cooler. *Because they don't affect actual room temperature, you shouldn't use a dehumidifier in place of a portable air conditioner—you simply won't get the same effect.
Cons of Dehumidifiers
Dehumidifiers collect water meaning they need to be regularly emptied. They also need to be regularly cleaned otherwise black mould can start to grow on the machine , which can induce a wide range of health problems including allergic reactions, lung problems and irritation.
Most dehumidifiers should not be operated in temperatures under 60° F because of the potential for moisture removed from the air to freeze on the coils, which can damage the unit.
Also use dehumidifiers, which can help remove moisture from the air and walls. Professionals use tools like moisture meters, infrared imaging devices, dehumidifiers and heavy-duty fans. That ensures the walls are truly dry before further repair, painting or refinishing.
How Long Does It Take for a Dehumidifier to Dry Out a Room? The size of the room, the humidity level, and the extent of the water damage are some of the variables that affect how long a dehumidifier takes to dry out a room. A dehumidifier typically needs between 24 and 72 hours to completely dry out a room.
Leaving your dehumidifier on all the time can result in dehumidifying too much, leading to a dry indoor environment. It can cause dry air, leading to respiratory issues, dehydrated skin, and static electricity.
Research shows that the ideal relative humidity for your home is between 40%-60%. However, to discourage the growth and spread of mold, levels should be kept below 50%.
Where to Place Dehumidifier in Your House. You want to place your machine in an area where there is good air circulation so the unit can efficiently work. We do not recommend placing a dehumidifier directly against a wall or piece of furniture. Instead, put it at least six inches away from these vent-blocking surfaces.
As long as you leave all of the internal doors open a correctly sized dehumidifier will prevent condensation and mould from appearing around the whole house.
Yes, 70% humidity is too high for a bedroom. Ideal indoor humidity levels for comfortable sleep are between 30% and 50%.