The cost-of-living crisis has hit us all in the pocket. With bills going up, we’re all thinking about how we can save some cash - and make our houses as energy efficient as possible. Which means we’re all looking a lot closer at how much energy our tech is using.
Dehumidifiers are just one of these gadgets. Loads of us use them to stop damp and dry clothes quickly in the winter. Plus, because they naturally produce heat, they can make your room feel warmer too. So, you won’t have to whack the heating on as much – saving you some money in the process.
But how much does a dehumidifier cost to run? Let’s have a look…
How much electricity does a dehumidifier use?
It probably goes without saying that this is going to depend on what kind of dehumidifier you’ve got. And how big the thing is too. To work out how much yours costs to run on its max setting, you’ll need to take a look at the wattage first. 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. So, they’re worth keeping in mind before you start using one:
The dehumidifiers extraction rate of water per kilowatt
Is the dehumidifier running in an unheated or heated room?
Where are you using it?
What time of year is it?
Some don’t run constantly (they’re controlled with a humidistat, which can shut on and off as needed)
Cost of running a dehumidifier
Let’s dig into some more of the numbers with a quick example…
Say that your dehumidifier can extract up to 20 litres of moisture a day and has a wattage of 480w. It’ll use 0.48 kWh, which means that having it on for an hour would cost a little over 14p. Make sense?
You’ll be able to keep a proper eye on your costs with a smart meter. Combine it with some smart plugs and a handy app, and you can easily see how much energy your dehumidifier (and other tech) is using. And you won’t have to do any maths and work things out yourself either!
Is it cheaper to use a dehumidifier than a tumble dryer?
If you’re drying your clothes, it’s definitely cheaper to use a dehumidifier instead of a tumble dryer. Your average desiccant dehumidifier – set to laundry mode – uses about 650 watts. Whereas with a tumble dryer, you’ll be looking at a whopping 4000 watts. While it might be slower, it’s easily the more cost-effective method.
Cutting the cost of using a dehumidifier
There are a few easy things you can do to keep your costs down:
Clean out the filter – you should vacuum out the filter every couple of weeks if you can. Sucking out all of the muck and grime will keep it running nice and effectively
Reduce the amount of excess humidity – open windows while you cook and shower. Check that any extractor fans in your bathroom or kitchen are working properly. And put lids on your pans while you make your dinner. Doing all this means your dehumidifier won’t have to strain and work overtime to get the job done
Close your windows – when you’ve got the dehumidifier on, make sure you shut any doors and windows to the room
Turn down your thermostat – dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air – and cold air can make your place feel chilly. Once the moisture is gone, it should feel a little warmer. Meaning you shouldn’t need to spend as much on your heating bill
Energy efficient dehumidifiers
One of the best energy efficient dehumidifiers around is the Meaco 12L Low Energy. They’ve packed in loads of smart tech which makes it run way more efficiently than older models.
Part of their platinum range – which includes a whole load of cost-effective options – the Low Energy dehumidifier uses only 157 watts of electricity. But what does that look like when you break things down? Well, it means it’ll cost you just 5p per hour (based off of 34p/kWh). Super cheap then!
And of course, low electricity usage means lower energy bills. So, your money will go that bit further every single month. Plus, you’ll protect your home from damp, condensation, and mould. It’s a win-win.
You can find out more about how a dehumidifier works right here. Or maybe you’re not sure which humidifier to go for? No worries. Head in-store and speak to one of our expert colleagues. They’ll be able to show you some low energy dehumidifiers, explain dehumidifier running costs, and talk you through a whole lot more.
