With advice from air conditioning experts Ryan Kandola and Chris Wood, we have selected the best dehumidifiers on the market for energy efficiency, drying power, value for money and, where possible, quiet running. “Remember, size isn’t everything,” Ryan says. “Look at the area you’re dealing with and choose the right size of unit. You’ll be surprised at just how powerful some of the small dehumidifiers are.” High demand We often get asked how much it costs to run a dehumidifier. It’s an important topic, as rising energy bills have forced everyone in the UK to be more aware of how much their appliances cost to run. Fast Water Extraction. The faster a dehumidifier removes moisture from the air, the shorter time it’ll need to be switched on. The key is to choose the right dehumidifier for the environment (i.e. a desiccant for colder rooms or a refrigerant for warmer ones) As you’ve probably realised, it’s often difficult to estimate the cost of running a dehumidifier. Aside from the machine’s power rating, the ongoing costs are affected by humidity, temperature, energy saving features and running time.

The reduced moisture can prevent damage to furniture. It also means you won’t need to buy anti-mould spray and similar products. Your Dehumidifier works properly and protects your home from an accident even when you are gone! The tank management system stops working when the container is full.

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There’s also the endless debate between desiccant and refrigerant (compressor) dehumidifiers. We talk more about the general differences here, but a refrigerant dehumidifier works best in warmer temperatures, while a desiccant is the better option for low temperature applications. Designed specifically for home use, our wide range of the latest home dehumidifiers will work quietly and efficiently to ensure moisture is always at optimum levels, providing maximum results with minimum fuss. The Honeywell features a smart digital humidistat,” Air Con Centre’s Ryan Kandola says. “It automatically senses the moisture levels of your room to maintain your pre-programmed humidity level. There’s also a washable dust filter to purify the air that has already been dehumidified. It’s a good all-rounder.” Auto Restart - if the unit turns off unexpectedly due to the power being cut, it will restart with the previous function setting automatically when the power resumes. You won’t need to leave windows open as much, which again makes your home easier to heat. This is especially important during the winter months.

In terms of energy efficiency, however, a refrigerant dehumidifier is often cheaper to run. Desiccant dehumidifiers have a warming effect though, which can mean you don’t need to heat your home as much during the winter months. They are also faster at removing water in cooler conditions, which may mean they don’t need to be run for as long to maintain low humidity. Are Dehumidifiers Energy Efficient? Lowering humidity can prevent mould growth on walls, tiles and ceilings, which is costly to remove.With that said, it’s possible to get a rough idea of a dehumidifier’s running cost before you buy. The aim of this article is to give you a general overview of running costs so you can budget for your new dehumidifier. A compressor dehumidifier is almost like a mini-fridge that cools the air and converts it into water that you can pour away,” says Ryan Kandola, a dehumidifier expert from Aircon Centre, “whereas desiccants take the air and run it over a rotating flywheel which absorbs the moisture, before heating it so the wheel doesn’t get saturated.” How do you know when you need a dehumidifier?

The beauty of a desiccant dehumidifier is not only that they are typically quieter than compressor models, but they are ideal for smaller, unheated areas such as conservatories, campervans, garages, boats and cellars. They’re also fantastically efficient. Of course, energy usage isn’t the only consideration when buying a dehumidifier. If you’re tired of condensation or mould, a dehumidifier is one of the fastest ways to reduce humidity. Humidstat + Smart Control. If a dehumidifier monitors the humidity and only switches on when needed, it’ll use less energy.This data is based on running the dehumidifier for 12 hours a day at the listed wattage. If you only need to run a dehumidifier for 2-4 hours per day, which is common once a baseline humidity has been established, the energy costs (per day or week) are likely to be lower. If you need to run the dehumidifier for 24 hours per day until the humidity is brought down, then the costs will be double. Things are a bit more complicated than this though. While a dehumidifier is sold with a power rating, that doesn’t mean it uses this power all the time. Compressors are generally efficient at room temperature, but they can’t handle the winter cold so well. If the temperature drops below three or four centigrade, they will tend to stop working. That’s not the case with desiccants, although they can be more expensive to run. How to use a dehumidifier The recommended humidity for your home is 40-60 per cent in the summer months and between 30-50 per cent in the winter. You can measure it with a hygrometer (a humidity gauge - they’re not expensive). If it goes over 70 per cent, you run the risk of condensation, damp, mould, fungi and bacteria. That’s when you need a dehumidifier. Which is better, a compressor or desiccant dehumidifier? Low Noise Design- minimise noise and maximise comfort by optimising the refrigeration and air duct systems. The noise is as low as 39dB. The DF Dehumidifier also uses reciprocating compressor technology allowing less vibration to effectively reducing the noise level.