Cost of running a dehumidifier

hebron

What is the cost of running a dehumidifier?

Some are about 200w,
and the desiccant type is even higher wattage, at 30/330/630, depending on what level you have it set on.


cost is an issue for me and not knowing how long a day I would need it running for, I'm not sure what it would cost me.

I have a 3 bedroom terrace house, and have humidity downstairs about 65% and up stairs in cold weather up to 83%. I have water running down the windows and water on the window sills most cold mornings.

If you have a dehumidifier I would be please if you could let me know what you think I might have to spend in electricity.

Thank you.

daggy

In our last home we had severe black mould caused by humidity/damp... we had a dehumidifier put in, but it literally had no effect on the damp... In my experience they are crap.. it was professionally installed, so I'd assume it was correctly located etc.

I've no idea how much it will cost you though...

Chunks

My experience is a bit different to the previous post. I have one but I don't need it on for long (and can see positive results in terms of water extraction and have only very minor mould issues). If you use in combination with venting and reducing controllable sources of water vapour (eg. opening window after showering) then an hour or so a day should see results. I use about 1kw over two days roughly speaking. 83% is pretty high but since you use more energy to heat humid air (according to one of the experts on here) it's swings and roundabouts on a net basis.

Hope you get more input shortly.

iamcornholio

Find your unit rate for the electric tariff you are on and multiply it by 0.2 for 200w and .03 for 300w etc - and you get your cost in pence per hour

Don't expect the humidifier to magically stop condensation on the windows or elsewhere

Edit

Also, don't try and interpret your presumed high humidity readings as being a problem just because they may seem high. Many properties can have RH in high 70 and 80% ranges, but that does not in itself indicate a problem ... rather it can be totally normal

Likewise, a window can experience condensation if the RH is at 50%

iharding

In our last house (solid walls, dubious damp course) we had an Ebac dehumidifier running throughout the winter. It dried out the room with damp and mould in the corners and if we left washing in there it was always properly dry within 24 hours provided the door was left closed. I think they are effective in a small area, but leaving all the doors open and trying to dry out the entire house isn't going to work, even though the one we've got has in theory the capacity to do so.

I had the dehumidifier, rated at 200W, but on an auto-program so not drawing that continuously, connected to a plug-in power meter. The cost of electricity worked out about 20p/day

Ian

cyclonebri1

So, going by your figures that's about 500watt per hr per 24 hr day, agreed??? IE a 1/2 Kw/ per time on?

You need to obtain the exact cost to you of electricity provided by your suppliers via their website, to realise the exact cost to you in real money

hebron

My electric is in two different prices

The first 185 units are priced at 24p per kwh
The units are priced after that at 10p per kwh

TimBuckTeeth

hebron wrote: »

My electric is in two different prices

The first 185 units are priced at 24p per kwh
The units are priced after that at 10p per kwh

The 10p per kWh is the price to use in calculations.
The more expensive units are to cover the standing charge, which was originally charged separately.

hebron

Thanks for explaining that: i wondered why there was two rates.

cyclonebri1

After just having reread the OP, I think any dehumidifier less than an industrial unit would struggle and I have to say I agree with the earlier poster, ie, ventilation is the way to go, certainly it won't cost as much and if likely to be more effective.:money:

fluffymuffy

We have two dehumidifiers. One was running in the hallway 24/7 on its Economy setting. The other was used three days a week in a bedroom that was used part time.

Last week I switched them off to see what it would cost. With no change to our regular electrical habits I can say that at 11.6p per kwh we were using £2.44 per day (plus standing charge) and we're now using £1.69 (plus the same standing charge).

So one ebac dehumidifier used all the time plus another used half the time costs 73p per day.

The atmosphere in here does feel damper today. But it's a cold day so I'm not sure how scientific it is to say that I need switch it back on.

I might buy a humidity-monitor-thingy.