I've just bought a de-humidithior (scuse spelling). Will it cost a lot to leave running all the time?

Question

And do i need to leave it running all the time?

And if it's in the hall will it still help with the bedrooms, bathrooms etc...

Answer 1

If you look on the rating plate on the rear or base of the unit it will have the consumption in watts, I guess it will be 100-200 watts in which case it will cost about 1.2 to 2.4 pence per hour (when running) or pro-rata. Based on average UK energy costs. Yes if its in the hall it will help the other rooms,IF the doors are open and the volume of air is within its capacity. The dehumidified air in the hall will 'average' out with the other rooms.

Answer 2

I've had one for the last year. It doesn't use any more electric than a fridge and is much the same principle as it draws air over a cooler which has the effect of drawing the moisture out of the said air.

If you have a lot of condensation then yes you should leave it on all the time (well not in summer when it's hot as the air will be dry then).

Placing it in the hallway - central to the house - is the best place and it will still be effective with the bedrooms and bathrooms etc.

Answer 3

A dehumidifier is nothing more than the front half of an air condioning unit.

In a typical home air cooling system, the air temperature cannot be cooled below a certain temperature until the water content in the air has been reduced to the level equivalent to the moiisture content in the air.

Removing water from air is the primary energy demand for your air conditioner. Once the air has reached what is known as the "dewpoint", it take very litte energy to cool the air down.

So, your dehumidifier is doing more than half the work of your AC system. The question then is ....which is more efficient.

Chances are it's a wash as long as your AC system is big enough to handle the humidity in your home.

Answer 4

Oh.. how many times have I asked that question.... It should be run all the time when the humidity is high.. that I was informed.. As to the cost, count on an extra $10 to $15 more a month. That is the best answer that I have been able to come up with from people who use them.

Answer 5

Most have a humidistat that senses when the air is dry enough and it then cuts off, some have timers, they are about the same to run as a refrigerator as they have the same size motor/compressor and a little heater to keep the drain channel clear, also they have a cut off switch to stop the unit when the water in the reservoir gets full, erm in other words, no not expensive and more effective if they are bigger units.

Answer 6

We have a dehumidifier, located in our hall and it is wonderful and has made a difference. We have had it for several years now and leave it switched on all the time all the year round. No it is not expensive to run.

Answer 7

For quite a few years now, we have a dehumidifier on each floor at a central location, always on at the same setting year around. Since we live on the coast, we don't have much choice.

Those machines have eliminated a mildew problem and the electricity bills are tolerable.

Answer 8

A dehumdifier is basically half an air conditioner. Unfortunatley its the part that uses a lot of electricity.
If you keep all your windows closed it will help at least half your house, if not more.
Its effect on the bathrooms is minimal since they get flushed with steamy air a few times a day.
You also get the benefit of heat output in fall, winter and spring.

Answer 9

I have one that runs 24/7 in my basement. Operating cost is about $15.00 a month. Well worth it when you consider the the other things that are down there, washer, dryer, freezer, tools, etc stay in better shape because the dampness is eliminated

Answer 10

For it to work properly, it must be left on constantly (at the right setting). I've had one for years and the cost is negligible, little more than running a fridge.