Dehumidifiers can help reduce household energy costs during the cost-of-living crisis, according to Chris Michael, Managing Director of Meaco. However, using them incorrectly can waste energy. Proper positioning and settings are key to efficiency.
Michael advises against placing a dehumidifier flush against a wall, as this forces the appliance to work harder to pull in air. Instead, it should be positioned close to the source of damp or, for general moisture reduction, in a hallway with doors open to cover the whole area. The Meaco Arete range is an exception, designed to be placed against a wall.
Using a humidistat helps maintain a suitable humidity level, typically 55% RH. The machine switches off when the target is reached and auto-senses when to restart. Laundry mode runs for six hours at full speed, the time needed to dry an average load, then switches off. Regularly cleaning the air filter also optimises efficiency.
On a variable electricity tariff, running the dehumidifier overnight when energy is cheaper can reduce costs. To dry laundry faster, recreate outdoor conditions with a warm, dry, airy environment. A cooling fan increases airflow, helping moisture escape clothes more quickly while using little energy.
Choosing a smaller space for drying laundry makes the dehumidifier work more quickly and efficiently. However, Michael warns against using plug-in timers or Wi-Fi plugs to force power cuts, as this can damage the dehumidifier by preventing a proper shutdown.
