Do dehumidifiers consume a lot of electricity? (2023)

In some parts of the United States, like New Orleans, the average humidity is 86%. This means that most people living in this region and many others find that a dehumidifier is not a luxury but a necessity. But do dehumidifiers consume a lot of electricity? This is a relevant issue to consider.

Dehumidifiers consume a lot of electricity. Although the power (consumption) of many is low, averaging 483 watts, they remain on for at least 12 hours a day (24 hours in most cases). The average cost is around $1.50 per day, which means it can cost you up to (if not more than) $45 per month.

I'll break down all aspects of dehumidifier energy efficiency, detailing how much energy (electricity) they use, going through different models, their IEF rating, how much you expect to spend per month, and much more. After reading this article, it shouldn't be difficult to know your energy efficiency based on your Energy Star rating and what to look for.

Do dehumidifiers consume a lot of electricity?

To understand how much electricity a dehumidifier uses, you need to consider how it works.

The energy cost of dehumidifiers, and therefore their energy efficiency when turned on, obviously varies depending on the amount of electricity consumed. This is because they go through different stages as they activate different components while effectively removing moisture from the air.

Remember that the compressor, fan and cooling coil also use different amounts of electricity. In addition, the size of the room and the degree of moisture to be removed also play a role in making the dehumidifier more energy efficient.

Although the energy consumption of small and medium-sized dehumidifiers is relatively low, with continued use (especially with older and less energy efficient models) it can become a very significant amount.

Also, most dehumidifiers run 12 to 24 hours a day.

How many watts does a dehumidifier consume?

The average power of a dehumidifier is 483 watts each, and the average humidifier uses 0.427 kWh per hour. That means it consumes almost 10.24 kWh per day when left on for 24 hours. However, dehumidifiers can be divided into three categories, namely:

• low voltage
• average power
• high voltage

Each of the dehumidifiers in these categories uses different amounts of electricity, and low wattage results in the lowest electricity costs.

Here's a breakdown of how many watts each category typically uses;

Dehumidifier energy consumption table

This means that the average humidifier most people own falls into the second category, and as said, depending on whether the humidifier is on all the time, how old it is and how much air (how much space) Zu needs.

How much electricity does a dehumidifier consume per month?

If the average medium wattage dehumidifier is considered standard and consumes 10.24 kWh in a 24 hour period, the average energy consumption is 307.2 kWh per month (30 days).

Which dehumidifier uses the least electricity?

According tocanadian government, ENERGY STAR qualified dehumidifiers use nearly 15% less energy and are the most energy efficient. These types of dehumidifiers are not brand specific, which means that any brand of dehumidifier can have them.

Additionally, entire home dehumidifiers and portable models can be certified.

Keep in mind that depending on the situation; a different size dehumidifier is required, so determining which uses the least amount of electricity is not a viable option.

However, all dehumidifiers have an IEF rating based on their energy efficiency (how much electricity they use), which I'll explain below.

Are dehumidifiers energy efficient?

Modern dehumidifiers that use low power between 124 and 466 watts tend to be the most energy efficient dehumidifiers on the market.

It should be remembered that a humidifier will normally run for hours a day (usually 24 hours) and when using medium and high power humidifiers (even if they are considered low power) the energy consumption is quite significant.

Also, dehumidifiers have something called "Integrated Power Factor" or IEF. This is simply a measure of how many liters of water a dehumidifier can remove from the air using 1kWh of energy. The higher the IEF rating, the more energy efficient the dehumidifier is.

How much does it cost to operate a dehumidifier?

Considering that a dehumidifier works 24 hours a day and consumes 10.24 kWh, the average daily cost is around US$ 1.54.

However, smaller and larger dehumidifiers will use less and less electricity. Therefore, the average cost of low to high wattage dehumidifiers ranges from $0.83 to $3.54 per day.

This means that if a high powered dehumidifier is used, the monthly electricity charge can be as high as $106 per month.

Do dehumidifiers reduce heating costs?

Dehumidifiers really reduce heating costs. According to EcoAir, a leading manufacturer of cooling and ventilation equipment, dehumidifiers can help reduce energy costs because the higher the humidity in a home, the harder it is to heat. This leads to higher gas bills.

Are dehumidifiers cheaper than air conditioners?

When an air conditioner and dehumidifier have the same capacity (size) and typical run times, a dehumidifier is often more economical to operate than an air conditioner.

What are the pros and cons of a dehumidifier?

I have listed all the pros and cons of a dehumidifier below for ease of use.

When is the best time to use a dehumidifier?

It's best to use a dehumidifier in spring, summer and early fall. Please note that humidity can fluctuate throughout the year depending on the time of year. In winter, it's best to turn off a dehumidifier, as the air is generally much drier, meaning a dehumidifier isn't necessary.

Should you leave a dehumidifier on at all times?

On average, and depending on the humidity, a dehumidifier must run at least 12 hours a day to be effective. However, it would be best to run it 24 hours a day in most cases to fully remove moisture.

Can I leave a dehumidifier on all night?

Since a dehumidifier needs to run 24 hours a day, leaving it on overnight is perfectly acceptable. It should only be noted that some dehumidifiers can generate a great deal of noise, so keep that in mind.

Does a dehumidifier cool a room?

In fact, a dehumidifier heats up a room. However, because a dehumidifier removes moisture from the air, many people find the room to be cooler when it isn't.

This paradox occurs because high humidity makes it difficult for water to evaporate from the body and therefore sweating occurs. Lowering the humidity allows sweat to evaporate again, making you feel cooler when it's actually warmer.

Where is the best place to place a dehumidifier in your home?

The best place to install a dehumidifier is in the basement, which is closest to the source of moisture. This is because basements have the highest amount of moisture in a home.

However, if a house consists of several floors, it should be placed as close as possible to the stairs leading from the basement.

Can I open a window when using a dehumidifier?

It's safe to say that windows and doors should be closed when the dehumidifier is on. From my personal experience, leaving doors and windows open lets in air with the moisture I'm trying to get rid of.

It is a contradiction to leave windows and doors open. A dehumidifier cannot dry out a room or house if moisture-filled air is constantly rushing in.

Diploma

While dehumidifiers don't necessarily use a lot of electricity and are really energy efficient (even more so if they're ENERGY STAR qualified), they generally need to run at least 12 hours a day, but preferably 24 hours.

This means that power consumption can be quite significant. Furthermore, if a high powered dehumidifier is used, electricity costs can be as high as $100 per month. This is something to consider despite the benefits of reducing allergies, preventing mold, eliminating dust mites, and more.

Therefore, the first thing to consider is how much budget is available for the electricity bill.