Dehumidifiers have many advantages to reducing the build-up of mould and condensation in your house. Of course, with such appliances, this means more electricity being used within your home. But, is that necessarily a bad thing?
If you were to walk into someone’s home and spot they have a white box, with ventilation ports that is connected to the mains power supply, you’d probably ask what on Earth that contraption is. This goes to explain how rare these devices are in homes across the United Kingdom. However, you have more than likely been in rooms (most likely bathrooms) that have mould growing on the ceilings and walls; which would indicate that a dehumidifier is desperately needed.
Depending on your budget and needs, there are many dehumidifiers to choose from, all of which require varying levels of power input. Take for example, the Inventor Care 12L runs at 207W per hour, whereas the Pro Breeze 500ml Compact runs at 12W per hour. Two very different power consumption rates. However, when they are both on standby, the power consumption is almost nothing.
So, are dehumidifiers expensive to run?
That really depends on the model you buy. But, let’s look into how much money you will save by not using one.
As mentioned, by not using a dehumidifier, your home is at some risk of condensation and mould build-up. The more humid your home, the more likely dust mites and other nasty bugs are going to love thriving there. This could result in a potentially dangerous environment for children, people with breathing difficulties (including asthma) or anyone that has mould allergies. If you have a room that requires constant cleaning due to mould build-up, then think about how much you are spending on cleaning products. A bottle of mould and mildew remover will probably cost you from £3-10, depending on the size and the brand. Not a lot perhaps, but consider having to buy a bottle once a month. You could be spending between £36-120 a year on mould cleaner. Not only that, but a proper mould cleaner brush set can set you back £5.
Don’t forget cleaning wipes too from Cif, Dettol and Flash. When cleaning, these brands offer the best possible cleaning solutions. Sure, all of these cleaning products are relatively inexpensive and could be probably be bought from a discount store, but what if you are someone that hates cleaning, or doesn’t have the time to?
A dehumidifier might seem like a large cost, however, it is only a one-off payment. As mentioned regarding the running costs, they aren’t overly that expensive. Some mini dehumidifiers can cost no more than a single light-bulb to run. However, the bigger the device, the more costly they become.
When looking to purchase a dehumidifier, try to keep in mind what you want it for. There are different types:
- Ideal for homes. They work by condensing moisture, which then drips from the pipes into a tank.
- Ideal for garages and green houses. These require a higher use of energy due to the fact the pipes are heated in order for the moisture to drip into the storage tanks.
So, if you are someone that is on a budget, the compressor dehumidifier is what you will want. They are low-cost in terms of unit price and run cost. Ideally, try to pick up a mini or portable device.
There are however, dehumidifiers that have zero run costs. These devices are known as moisture collectors. They work by collecting moisture within the air via moisture crystals. They are ideal for small rooms and spaces, such as bathrooms, cupboards and caravans. They work 24/7 and require no power input what so ever. Depending on what type you purchase, you can either throw the box away, or replace the moisture absorbing tablet. These type of dehumidifiers get great reviews online and to me they seem like a no-brainer. Best of all, they output no sound what so ever.
If you are someone that is in dire need of something to help compact mould, condensation, dampness and poor aroma around your home, then a dehumidifier is something you should definitely consider. Personally, I would choose the moisture absorber devices. They require no run-cost and you position them anywhere in your home, whereas a traditional electrical device needs to be near a power socket. If you are looking for a powerful unit, then I would consider purchasing a compressor unit. Running costs can vary, with some being as the equivalent as a light bulb to run per hour.