When the excessive humidity strikes you with allergies and nasty odors in your own house, dehumidifiers provide a significant relief. Requiring lengthy periods of time to get the job done, however, they often seem like power hungry devices. Does it mean you have to choose between suffering from allergies and paying higher electric bills every time humidity attacks? With the help of a few simple tricks and these brands, you can maximize your dehumidifier’s energy efficiency without maximizing your power bills.
How to Use Your Dehumidifier in an Energy-Efficient Way
With a bit of forethought, you can prevent your dehumidifier usage from taking its toll on your electric bills. To ensure this, use your dehumidifier:
- As intended by the manufacturer Not using your dehumidifier in line with its intended use makes it waste energy while working in vain. Avoid using your dehumidifier for something it’s not designed to do, such as removing condensation from your windows in winter. Also, keep in mind that most dehumidifiers are only effective at decreasing the relative humidity levels down to 50%. Trying to decrease the relative humidity levels further will only make your dehumidifier burn energy to no purpose.
- In warm temperatures Dehumidifiers work at their best when you employ them in warm temperatures. Using them in cold temperatures both decreases their effectiveness and increases the risk of them freezing. Even if your dehumidifier has frost protection, it still requires more energy to function properly when the air is cold.
- Without any obstructions Placing your dehumidifier by the wall may seem convenient but will drastically reduce its efficiency. While consuming the same amount of energy, your dehumidifier has access to less air. To help it make the most of its energy consumption, place your dehumidifier in the center of the room. And leave plenty of space around it available for the air to reach the air vents without obstructions.
- In clean areas Using your dehumidifier in rooms with dust, mold, or mildew makes it harder for your device to function effectively. To help your dehumidifier do more work in less time, clean the areas where you intend to use it. For the same purpose, clean the condensation coils of your dehumidifier regularly from the dust particles and fungus.
- Apart from aerating Avoid using your dehumidifier in the room with access to the outside, especially if the relative humidity outside is high. Close the doors and windows in the room with dehumidifier working and aerate when the relative humidity outside is normal.
- In properly sealed areas Make the effort to eliminate the causes of elevated relative humidity in your house. The usual culprits include the gaps in windows and doors, leaking roof or gutter, and aerating during excessive humidity outside.
Make Peace Between Your Dehumidifier and Power Bills
Following the above tips can help your dehumidifier function with utmost efficiency. As a result, it will require less energy and time to get the same job done.