The question that might have popped into your mind about the dehumidifier’s power consumption is: Is it too much? While there are no fixed parameters or dehumidifier power consumption calculators to measure the exact calculations of the dehumidifier’s energy consumption, we can still help you understand the phenomenon and factors affecting the dehumidifier’s power usage.
Do Dehumidifiers Use A Lot Of Electricity?
Buying a dehumidifier to regulate the moisture level may be a confusing decision. You may have believed it to be an expensive device that consumes a hefty amount of energy, which may, in turn, increase your utility expenses.
The amount of electricity consumed by a dehumidifier depends greatly upon several factors, the most significant of which is the duration of its operating hours. In simpler words, the dehumidifier’s energy consumption depends upon its total running hours.
Apart from the runtime duration, some other factors like the humidity level of the air, total area of the workplace, and the size of the dehumidifier are also of the same importance. It must also be taken into consideration that with every technological innovation, the newest models of dehumidifiers come with built-in power consumption techniques.
How Much Electricity Does A Dehumidifier Use Per Day?
The electricity consumption by your dehumidifier relies on the power requirements of the dehumidifier and its runtime.
To get a rough estimate of your dehumidifier’s power consumption, check the power wattage mentioned in the manual. Multiply it by the number of hours used per day. You will get the value of dehumidifier power consumption per hour.
For instance, if the dehumidifier’s power wattage is 3500 W and is used for 8 hours a day, your daily consumption is 28000 Watts/hour or 28kWh.
You can also determine the cost by checking the electricity meter after using the dehumidifier for a calculated period. Once you have the dehumidifier’s power consumption figure, calculate it with your country’s per-unit cost, and you can easily determine its running cost.
Factors Affecting The Dehumidifier Power Consumption
Several factors are responsible for determining the power usage by a dehumidifier. Let us elaborate on the significant ones for you :
Size And Capacity Of The Dehumidifier
One of the main factors affecting the power consumption of the dehumidifier is its size and capacity.
A large-size dehumidifier with a large capacity will need more energy to run. One must choose the size of the dehumidifier precisely following the room size. Large or commercial dehumidifiers, meant to cover large industrial and commercial spaces, use comparatively more power than residential dehumidifiers.
The dehumidifier capacity is its capability to remove moisture in 24 hours, usually measured in pints. Normally, a large industrial dehumidifier can remove 350 – 2000 pints of moisture, depending on its size. In other words, the larger the capacity of a dehumidifier, the more power it consumes.
Size Of The Workplace
The size of the workplace where the dehumidifier is being used is also one of the determinants of dehumidifier power consumption. The more vast the space, the more powerful the dehumidifier must be to cover it completely. Using a small and less capable dehumidifier in a large space will prolong its working hours, increasing its power consumption.
Temperature And Weather Conditions
The power consumption of the dehumidifier is also increased according to the temperature and other variants of the climatic conditions. If the temperature of the area increases, it will ultimately raise the humidity level, resulting in the increased and prolonged use of the dehumidifier, increasing the power consumption.
It must also be noted that extremely cold temperatures may also increase the dehumidifier’s power consumption, as the freezing temperature may cause the coil to freeze up and not work effectively. The dehumidifier always works best in warm temperatures.
Duration Of Operation
Prolonged hours of usage will definitely alter the dehumidifier’s Power Consumption. If you use the dehumidifier continuously without setting it to auto ON/OFF, the power consumption will increase, and vice versa. However, if the humidity level of your area is super-high, it is more energy efficient to let the dehumidifier run continuously rather than repeatedly turning it on and off.
Nature Of Industrial Activity
The nature of the commercial and industrial activities performed in the workplace cannot be overlooked when calculating the dehumidifier’s power consumption. Certain activities require a specific level of humidity.
In addition, the continuous operation of industrial machinery increases a space’s humidity. This may alter the dehumidifier’s working duration, affecting its overall power consumption.
Energy-Efficient Settings And Timings
One factor affecting the dehumidifier’s power consumption is its energy efficiency ratings. According to an estimate, a dehumidifier with a high energy factor rating and energy-efficient certification by the U.S. Environmental Agency (EPA) is believed to use approximately 15% less energy than normal dehumidifiers and can lessen your power cost.
Also, certain settings and timings may help you save on costs, like the auto-shut button or the off-peak hours of the day when the cost of power is comparatively lower.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Dehumidifier Power Consumption More Than That Of AC?
When talking about the dehumidifier vs AC power consumption, the power consumption of a dehumidifier is less than that of an AC. There is a difference between the working mechanism and function of both. The main function of a dehumidifier is to remove moisture from the air, while the AC is used to lower the temperature of a space and cool it down, apart from removing some of the moisture content from the air. Hence, an AC requires more power to operate than a dehumidifier.
How Can The Dehumidifier Power Consumption Be Reduced Significantly?
Certain steps must be followed if you aim to reduce the power consumption of the dehumidifier.
- Get the right size dehumidifier. An oversized dehumidifier will also increase power consumption whereas a small dehumidifier power consumption will also be high in order to cover the entire workspace.
- Set the right humidity settings to attain the desired level effectively and quickly.
- Select energy-efficient models only. They can greatly help in dehumidifier low power consumption and cut down the power cost to a significant extent.
- Place it centrally to let it cover the entire space with proper ventilation and airflow.
- Follow a regular maintenance routine to ensure the dehumidifier’s effective and extended working life. The filters must be cleaned on time, any leakage or issues must be monitored, and a proper drainage system must be maintained.
Why Is My Dehumidifier Using So Much Electricity?
There may be one or more reasons for your dehumidifier’s increased energy consumption. If you live in a high-humidity area, the constant and increased dehumidifier running may be the reason.
Using a small dehumidifier for a large space may also cause increased energy consumption. Poor ventilation is yet another cause. If you use an old dehumidifier model with no energy-efficient rating, the energy consumption will be higher.
Is It Expensive To Run A Dehumidifier 24/7?
Yes, running an industrial dehumidifier 24/7 is expensive, depending on your country’s electricity cost and the variation in peak hour charges. Normally, you don’t need to run a dehumidifier for the whole day except for the first few days. Once your desired humidity level has been achieved, the best trick is to maintain it by running the dehumidifier for at least 10-12 hours daily.
Wrap Up
Being well-versed in the dehumidifier’s power consumption, you can make prompt and smart choices to maintain the moisture content at your workplace while significantly reducing the power expenses. Contact us today if you want an industrial dehumidifier with the most innovative technology to strike the perfect balance between efficiency and power usage.