Do Dehumidifiers Use a Lot of Electricity?

The concern for energy efficiency has become paramount, and in this regard, there are many homeowners who wonder:do dehumidifiers use a lot of electricity?. These devices have become a necessity in maintaining and ensuring healthy indoor air quality, controlling the development of mould, and driving humidity away from living places. However, the energy consumption of dehumidifiers will be based on some factors such as type, size, efficiency rating and usage.

This guide will enlighten you about the consumption of power by dehumidifiers, putting them in comparison with other household appliances, and thrifty ways to make them utilise the least amount of energy efficiently.

What is a Dehumidifier and How Does It Work?

A dehumidifier is a device designed to remove excess moisture from the air, improving indoor air quality and preventing issues like dampness, mould, and dust mites.

How Does It Work?

1. Air Intake: The dehumidifier pulls in humid air.
2. Cooling & Condensation: The air passes over cooling coils, where moisture condenses into water droplets.
3. Reheating & Release: The now drier air is reheated and released back into the room.

The amount of energy a dehumidifier consumes depends on its type, size, and how often it’s used.

Types of dehumidifiers and energy consumption

1. Desiccant vs. Refrigerant dehumidifiers:

A desiccant dehumidifier contains moisture-absorbing materials, and uses energy in the range of 240 to 480 watts making these types more energy-efficient. 

On the other hand, Refrigerant dehumidifiers rely upon a cooling coil for condensation and therefore use upwards of 300-700 watts, to give excellent performance in humid conditions.

View the differences between Desiccant vs. Refrigerant dehumidifiers

2. Whole-house vs. Portable units:

Whole-house dehumidifiers are integrated with the HVAC system and use energy upwards of 1,000 watts; however, they control humidity for the entire house. 

Portable Dehumidifiers are the best option for an isolated single room, generally using energy in the range of 300-500 watts, thus being more energy-efficient for setting up in smaller spaces. 

💡Key takeaway: For energy savings purposes, unless the entire space is to be dehumidified, it is better to purchase a portable unit. 

What are the key factors that affect energy consumption?

The amount of electricity consumed by a dehumidifier is largely dependant on a number of factors working in conjunction:

1. Size and Capacity

Larger units with more moisture removal capacity (measured in pints per day) generally consume more energy. The right size will ensure efficiency and no excessive power use.

2. Ambient Humidity and Temperature Conditions

High humidity requires the unit to work hard, increasing energy consumption.

Keeping the indoor humidity at 40-50% ensures less strain on the dehumidifier.

3. Duration and Frequency of Use

Having the dehumidifier running for long hours means more electricity consumed. The use of timers and humidity sensors can help cut-down unwarranted running.

4. Energy Efficiency Ratings

Dehumidifiers are energy star certified and use up to 30 percent less energy than regular models.

High Efficiency Units provide better moisture removal rates per watt, hence lower running costs. 

5. Maintenance

Regular cleaning of filters and care of coils ensure efficiency and low power consumption.

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Is there a way to calculate the energy consumption of a dehumidifier? 

To calculate the energy consumption of dehumidifiers, you would do the following:

Power Rating (in Watts) * Hours of Use Divided by 1,000 Equals Energy Consumption in kWh

Example:

A dehumidifier of 300W running 6 hours a day results in 1.8 kWh per day (54 kWh per month). 

A dehumidifier at 700W running for 5 hours gives: 3.5 kWh per day (105 kWh per month). 

For calculating electricity cost: 

Energy use (kWh) × Rate of electricity (pence/kWh) = Monthly cost 

To get an estimation of real-world costs, view your electricity tariff fees.

Comparing Dehumidifier Energy Use to Other Appliances

Understanding how dehumidifiers compare to other household devices helps put their energy consumption into perspective.

💡 Key Insight:
When comparing dehumidifiers to air conditioners and tumble dryers, dehumidifiers consume significantly less power.

See our top tips on how to cut costs:

Tips for Cutting Energy Costs with Dehumidifiers

To keep cutting costs on electricity bills, here are some energy-efficient hacks:

✅ 1. Choose the Right Size

• Avoid oversized dehumidifiers because they waste energy.
• Use the guidelines of the manufacturer for choosing the

perfect capacity.

✅ 2. Humidity Levels Set Right

• Humidity should be between 40 and 50 percent so as not

to allow excessive running.

• The low settings cause the machine to run for longer

periods, thus incurring high energy costs.

✅ 3. Maintain it Dehumidifier

• Air filters should be clean every few weeks.
• Inspect coils for dust buildup so that efficiency can be improved.

✅ 4. Timer or Smart Plug

• Let the dehumidifier only run when it is needed

and not the whole day.

• There are intelligent smart dehumidifiers that contain humidity sensors. 

✅ 5. Airflow & Ventilation Improvement 

• Open windows or use fans for now to reduce humidity

naturally.

• Place the dehumidifier in a central location for maximum effectiveness. 

For more insights look over the UK government page for energy efficiency 

Conclusion 

So, do dehumidifiers actually use a lot of electricity? It varies from model to model, its efficiency ratings and how you maintain it. Although a dehumidifier tends to use more energy than a humidifier, it uses considerably less energy compared to an air conditioner or a tumble dryer.

However, using correct humidity levels, and keeping the appliance up to date will reduce energy consumption and electricity bills.

So the next time you ask yourself, “do dehumidifiers use a lot of electricity?” Just remember, with smart usage and maintenance, they can be really energy-efficient indoor air quality solutions.