
With winter approaching and the cost of living problem driving bills to increase, many Britons are considering ways to make their homes as energy efficient as possible.
Dehumidifiers are vital in the winter since they shorten laundry drying time in half and assist to keep homes mold-free.
They also make houses feel less cold, which saves money on energy bills.
But how do dehumidifiers function, and how much do they cost to operate?
Here’s everything you need to know.
What exactly is a dehumidifier and how does it function?
Dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air, causing it to dry.
To accomplish this, they draw air into the system and direct it over very cold coils, which extract moisture.
Moisture condenses into water and accumulates in the system.
The air is blasted over warm coils to recover to ambient temperature before being pumped back into the room.
How much does it cost to run a dehumidifier?
The cost of running various dehumidifiers will vary.
The watts of a dehumidifier is the easiest way to assess how much it costs to run on its highest setting.
Smaller devices can consume as little as 22 watts, while larger machines can require up to 500 watts.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, the national average price per pence/kWh of power in October 2022 was 34p.
As a result, a dehumidifier that removes up to 20 litres per day and has a power of 480w would require 0.48 kWh, costing only 16p to run for one hour.
A dehumidifier that removes up to 12 litres per day and has a power of 157w (0.157 kWh) costs only 5p per hour to run.
‘Remember that you’re more likely to use your dehumidifier throughout the winter,’ said Chris Michael, Director of Meaco.
‘Because a dehumidifier’s wattage is converted into heat, you receive a double benefit: less condensation on the windows, less chill in the air, and the place seems warmer.’
What are the advantages of utilising a dehumidifier?
Houses can get cold as a result of moisture.
As a result, utilising a dehumidifier to remove moisture from the air will help to lessen the need to turn on the heating.
Damp air can also breed mould, which can damage wallpaper and walls and cost you money.
Mould can also cause health difficulties, such as respiratory and immune system disorders.
A dehumidifier can help prevent this.
Dehumidifiers also absorb moisture from your laundry, which means your clothing dry much faster and you save money by not using the tumble dryer.
How much does it cost to buy a dehumidifier?
Dehumidifiers typically cost between £100 and £200.