Dehumidifiers have become a winter essential for many households across the UK who are looking to cut laundry drying time in half and help keep rooms mould and damp-free.
The gadgets are great for taking the moisture out of the air and can also work to make the air cleaner, making it beneficial for those with asthma or allergies. With soaring energy costs many are looking at ways to save money around the home, and a dehumidifier can be a cost-effective appliance, if used in the right way.
The appliances work by drawing warm air currents into its coils via a fan, the warm air contracts as it's fed through the coils and condensation is then left inside the dehumidifier. As the condensation collects it turns into water which falls into a storage tank attached to the dehumidifier, cooler, drier air is then released back into the home through the other side of the machine.
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But how much do dehumidifiers cost to run, and are they saving you money in the long run? We've looked at the running costs below as well as what you can use dehumidifiers for, along with the best deals.
How much do dehumidifiers cost to run?
Dehumidifiers are usually quite cheap to run compared to larger appliances and some come with a special 'laundry mode' for drying clothes.
The best way to work out how much a dehumidifier is costing you on its maximum setting is to look at its wattage. Mini models can use as little as 22 watts, while high-volume dehumidifiers go up to around 500 watts.
To establish their running costs you will need to work out the wattage of the appliance and what you pay for energy per pence/kWh, and use the following calculation - the kWh x the time it's on for x the average electric cost.
So for example, a dehumidifier that can extract up to 20 litres a day, with a wattage of 480w would use 0.48 kWh, would mean an hour’s usage (0.34) would cost just under 16p. Whereas a dehumidifier that can extract up to 12 litres a day, with a wattage of 157w (0.157 kWh) would cost just over 5p an hour.
Depending on the size of the dehumidifier, some can cost as little as 8p an hour to run, according to Chris Michael, managing director of Meaco.
"This means that with every load you choose to air dry, instead of putting the tumble dryer on, you’re saving £1.50 per load on your energy bill," he told Ideal.
So if you're drying washing everyday, using a dehumidifier could save you quite a bit, especially when the tumble dryer can cost around £2 per cycle to use.
It's rare that users run dehumidifiers constantly though, as they’re controlled via their humidistat that turn them on and off when needed.
What can you use dehumidifiers for?
There are two types of dehumidifiers, compression (or refrigeration) and desiccant. The first sucks air from the room in and passes it over cold coils on to which the warmer air condenses before dripping into a collection tray or tank beneath. They tend to be a good option for warmer rooms such as living rooms.
Desiccant dehumidifier passes the air they take in over a moisture absorbent material (known as a desiccant) that can take up the water in the air. Warm air then passes over the desiccant to dry it out again. They are commonly recommended for colder rooms, such as conservatories.
Dehumidifiers don't have to just be used as an alternative to drying laundry. They can also be handy if your have a lot of condensation or damp inside your home as they take out the moisture from the air.
In short they are used for:
- Preventing condensation
- Reduce laundry drying time
- Eliminate damp and mould
- Clean the air
Energy-efficient dehumidifiers you can buy right now
When using your dehumidifier, closing windows and external doors will help improve their energy efficiency. Features such as automatic shut-off, timers and smart controllers may also help reduce their energy consumption.
The cheapest dehumidifier with a low energy-run cost we have seen is currently this one on the Argos website. It is a mini appliance but only has a 23 wattage which would mean it would cost just a little over 7p an hour to run.
For £29 more there's this Uniprodo dehumidifier which has the same wattage but a bigger capacity at 0.6 litres. If you're after a dehumidifier with a bigger tank then you'll need to pay out over £100, Currys has this Essentials dehumidifier at £149.99, with a 280 wattage and a 1.8 litre tank.
Over on Amazon, this Meaco 20 litre dehumidifier is rated as one of the best due its two-in-one set up but its on the pricey side. This Lipontan one has been rated for the best for low consumption, whereas this Gocheer appliance has been voted as the best for energy-saving on the Amazon website.
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