In homes where excess moisture is a problem, a dehumidifier is a handy piece of equipment that can help bring down humidity levels, reduce the risk of water damage and control mildew growth.
But how much does it cost to purchase and operate one? Let’s delve into it.
How Much Does a Regular Dehumidifier Cost?
A regular dehumidifier, often a portable dehumidifier, designed to control humidity in specific rooms, can range in price from as low as $50 for mini dehumidifiers, to upwards of $300-500 for larger units capable of handling higher levels of moisture.
Many factors can influence the price of these units, such as the brand, size, and specific features, like the capacity to remove pints of water per day, the size of the water tank, and additional features like external pumps and dehumidifier controls.
How Much Does a Whole House Dehumidifier Cost?
Whole-house dehumidifiers are a different beast altogether. These larger units are designed to control humidity levels across a larger square footage and are often integrated with your air conditioner system.
The average cost of whole-house units can range from $1,200 to $2,000, not including labor costs for installation. These units often feature internal pumps, dedicated return ductwork, and are built for handling higher pints of moisture per day. Brands like Santa Fe are known for their robust whole-house dehumidifiers.
How Much Does a Crawl Space Dehumidifier Cost?
Crawl space dehumidifiers are designed to handle humidity in these smaller, often hard-to-reach areas. Depending on the size and features, these can range in price from $800 to $1,500.
How Much Does it Cost to Run a Dehumidifier?
The cost to run a dehumidifier is primarily dependent on power usage, measured in watts per hour, and the rate at which your utility company charges for electricity.
Smaller, energy-efficient models will naturally consume less electricity than larger, more powerful units.
How Much Does it Cost to Run a Dehumidifier for a Month?
Let’s say you have a 50-pint dehumidifier that uses approximately 500 watts per hour. If the electricity cost is 12 cents per kilowatt-hour (a rough average in the U.S.), and you run it for 10 hours a day, it would cost about $18 a month.
This is, of course, an estimate and the actual cost can vary depending on the electricity cost in your region and the dehumidifier’s usage.
How Much Does it Cost to Run a Dehumidifier Every Day?
Continuing with the above example, running a 500-watt dehumidifier for 10 hours a day would cost about 60 cents per day. Again, the actual daily cost can vary based on the energy bills in your area and the model of your dehumidifier.
Should You Run a Dehumidifier All the Time?
Whether or not to run a dehumidifier all the time largely depends on the level of humidity in your home. In regions or times of the year when humidity levels are high, running a dehumidifier continuously might be necessary.
However, most units will have controls to allow them to turn on and off automatically to maintain a set level of humidity, which can help conserve energy and reduce energy costs. Energy Star rated dehumidifiers, in particular, are designed to be more energy efficient, which can help lower electricity cost.
In conclusion, while the cost of purchasing and operating a dehumidifier can vary widely, their benefits in terms of reducing
