Is a small dehumidifier expensive to run? This is one of the first questions that prospective buyers should ask before purchasing the best small dehumidifier.
For most homes, the cost of dehumidifier can range between $25 and $350. You will be paying at the lower end of this spectrum when you purchase a smaller dehumidifier. The smallest mini dehumidifiers will cost you about $25.
Energy Star Rating
While purchasing a small dehumidifier for your home, you should check for the Energy Star emblem. Devices that carry this logo can save up to 30% on your utility bills.
The good news is that the prices of appliances and dehumidifiers that have the Energy Star are not too different from the devices without this star rating.
Here is how the Energy Star rating works.
The dehumidifier capacity refers to quantity of moisture that a dehumidifier can extract each day from the air surrounding it. Based on this capacity, the Energy Star rating system segments dehumidifier models into two classes.
Read more: How much is a small dehumidifier?
Energy Factor
After undergoing a sequence of tests, the energy factor of the dehumidifier model is evaluated. Although this is abbreviated to EF, you may also find EEV in some models which are the same thing.
The energy factor or the EF is a measure of the moisture that the dehumidifier can extract from the air in liters per kilowatt hour of energy that it utilizes.
If the dehumidifier capacity is 75 pints per day, then the energy factor should be greater than or equal to 1.9 for the device to qualify. If the dehumidifier capacity is between 75 and 185 pints, then the energy factor should be greater than or equal to 2.8 for the device to qualify. Based on these criteria, dehumidifier models are assigned the Energy Star in recognition of their energy-saving capabilities.
Do I Have to Run the Dehumidifier Constantly?
Many people are under the wrong impression that they have to operate the dehumidifier 24/7 to keep humidity under control. The reality is that the dehumidifier does not need to run continuously.
Since dehumidifier models have an automatic control feature, they can shut off when the room reaches the desired humidity level. Your electricity bill is saved due to this automatic functionality.
As a consequence of this intermittent operation, dehumidifiers will realistically be running for around 12 hours each day.
The only case when a dehumidifier will never shut off is if it is unable to bring the room down to the target humidity level. This most often happens when people buy a low capacity device for larger areas that have very high humidity.
Conclusion
There are many factors to consider while purchasing a small dehumidifier. You should talk to the experts or read out expert reviews so that you do not end up buying a model that fails to meet your requirements.
