Last updated on August 14th, 2022 at 01:28 pm
What would we do without dehumidifiers? Since their importance in homes can’t be overemphasized, we tend to have a preference for them.
Nonetheless, knowing how much energy they consume is key to planning how much you’ll use them; because you won’t want to have a crazy electricity bill at the end of the day.
The size of a dehumidifier determines the amount of electrical energy it consumes. A 30-pint dehumidifier utilizes as much as 3.5 amps, while a 70-pint dehumidifier uses up to 7.5 amps. However, these readings are for the 110v model with higher ratings. So, like I said, the bigger the dehumidifier, the higher the amperage it utilizes.
Does Running a Dehumidifier Use a Lot of Energy?
Luckily, dehumidifiers are not generally considered heavy feeders and do not draw a substantial amount of electricity. However, if left active or in use for a prolonged period, it may add high charges to your bill.
Before purchasing a dehumidifier, you might wonder if its uses and advantages would be worth the extra bills. The energy consumed by a dehumidifier is expressed in Kilowatts Hour (kWh); kWh is a way to measure the amount of energy a device uses per hour.
The amount of energy a dehumidifier consumes is labeled in its case. If you can’t find it there, look in the manual. The average amount of energy a dehumidifier consumes per hour is 0.28kWh; this doesn’t seem much, but multiply this by the number of hours you leave it running for; that’s when the charge begins to surge.
It is advisable to leave your dehumidifier running for 7-12 hours a day at most. This not only helps you with managing costs, but it also helps stabilize the room temperature as well.
Nevertheless, during winter, a dehumidifier is more likely to be left on for a longer period. You might even need to leave it on for a whole day, depending on the humidity level of your room.
Electricity tariff varies from region to region, but they are higher in zones with hot climates. It is easy to calculate how much extra charge a dehumidifier will add to your bill. You need to multiply the kWh rate of the dehumidifier by the number of hours it stays active.
Some dehumidifiers are more energy-efficient than others. These are mostly the ones with an EEV of 1.2 and above, and they usually have an Energy Star label. Energy Efficient dehumidifiers are great cost beaters as they utilize a very minimal amount of electricity.
Some reasons may also cause your dehumidifier to consume a substantive amount of energy, thereby adding outrageous charges to your bill. They include the following:
- Using an old or faulty dehumidifier.
- Using it at the same time with an air conditioner.
- Running the dehumidifier all day long.
How Many Amps Does a 22-Pint Dehumidifier Use?
One hundred ten volts model 22-pint dehumidifiers draws an amperage of 2.6 amps. Meanwhile, the 220 volts model needs 1.3 amps to run.
The 22-pint dehumidifier is relatively small, and just like the name connotes, it can only evaporate a maximum of 22 pints of moisture from the atmosphere (that is 2.27 liters) from the environment.
It is both inexpensive and quite handy as well. It weighs up to 33 pounds and can cover an expansion of 1500 Square Feet.
The portability of the 22 pints is one of its biggest advantages. Different companies manufacture many models, and most of these models are designed with a wheel structure that allows them to be rolled from room to room.
You do not have to lift a thing; ensure that there is a socket in each room so that once you’re done, you would simply unplug it and move on to the next room. Recent models of the dehumidifiers have inbuilt technology that sets a self-timer for the device, thus, allowing it to shut itself down after a stipulated period.
The devices are also compatible with smartphones, so you can turn on a dehumidifier in the morning before you leave for work and turn it back off via your phone later in the day at your convenience.
Nevertheless, there are downsides to the 22-pint dehumidifier; because of its petite size and voltage rating, it is only efficient in limited spaces such as bathrooms, garages, mini-bedrooms, basements, attics, and other mini-compartments. It would not make so much impact on the atmosphere if placed in large rooms.
How Many Watts is the 35 Pint Dehumidifier?
A 35-pint dehumidifier uses 450 Watts of energy as opposed to the 500+ portrayed by some manufacturing companies.
It can dehumidify a space of 1500 square feet and is only effective within this distance.
The 35-pint dehumidifier is preferred over the 22-pint simply because it is faster. If a 22-pint dehumidifier takes 60 minutes to completely dehumidify a room, a 35 pint can do so in 30 minutes, thus making it twice as fast as a 22-pint dehumidifier.
Just like the 22-pint dehumidifier, it is also portable, compatible with smartphones, and saves cost. The major disparity between the both would be their speed rate.
How Many Watts Does 70-pint Dehumidifier Need?
The 70-pint dehumidifier requires up to 700watts. It also can dehumidify an area as broad as 2500 square feet. The 110v model of a 70-pint dehumidifier can draw up to 7.5 amps, while the 220v model draws 3.25amps.
The 70-pint dehumidifier is the most common type of dehumidifier found in homes and offices. It is very effective in dealing with mold and mildew and can help cure some minor respiratory problems.
It is mostly designated to the kitchen, laundry room, and bathroom; these are the most humid rooms in a home. It is not advisable to place a 70-pint dehumidifier in an enclosed space or small room.
These devices are designed to promptly evaporate a substantial amount of atmospheric moisture, therefore, placing them in confined spaces can lead to excessive dryness of the atmosphere.
Does a Dehumidifier Require a Dedicated circuit?
A dehumidifier does require a separate circuit.
It comes with a default three-wire cable that you must not plug into an extension outlet. Dehumidifiers can start fires; these fires can be triggered by electrical malfunction caused by plugging the dehumidifier into a shared outlet.
You should plug the three-wire cord of the dehumidifier directly into a secured three-prong wall outlet. Doing this would ensure that the device gets uninterrupted access to electrical current.
Conclusion
The dehumidifier uses a very low amount of electricity — around 3.5 to 7.5 amps. Water heaters, hairdryers, and air conditioners use a higher proportion of electricity than they do.
Dehumidifiers come in varying shapes and voltage ratings. These factors determine the proportion of electrical current the dehumidifier will draw.