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This post was last updated on: Monday, September 1, 2024
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Anytime you opt to add a new appliance to your home, you are forced to consider how it will impact your energy efficiency and ultimately, your wallet. This is especially true with dehumidifiers, as determining how energy efficient they truly are can be a little tougher than just examining energy ratings.
We’ve reviewed 9 of the most energy efficient dehumidifier options on the market, and provided the pros, cons and features of each along with our review. We know you want your shopping experience to be as efficient as your dehumidifier! So let’s get into it, which of these dehumidifiers best suits your needs?
Most Energy Efficient Dehumidifier: Top Picks at a Glance
Table could not be displayed.The Most Energy Efficient 70 Pint Dehumidifier
Overall Best Pick: TACHIAIR 70 Pint with Pump
This is an ideal dehumidifier choice for homeowners that are tired of mold, mildew, and mustiness caused by high humidity. The TACHIAIR dehumidifier will keep your home clean and hygienic, preventing damage to your interior and furniture.
Pros
- 3 different fan speeds give you plenty of options to adjust to your comfort
- The Energy Star rating promises that this unit will be energy efficient
- Very easy to move, thanks to smooth-rolling caster wheels that turn 360 degrees
Cons
- While the dehumidifier does come with a pump feature, it often isn’t enough to fully empty the bucket in time during heavy use—keep an eye on that bucket full indicator, even with the pump running
- It’s advertised as being quiet, but it’s not quiet consistently. The pump feature adds quite a bit of volume, as well.
- Some units don’t seem to preserve settings in the event of a power outage; if this occurs, contact the manufacturer
Runner Up #1: Danby Energy Star 70-Pint Dehumidifier
This 70 pint portable dehumidifier is designed to improve your comfort and quality of life by dehumidifying rooms up to 4,500 square feet. Its “smart functions” allow it to factor in the temperature of the room in order to efficiently dehumidify, and it has an auto-deicing system to prevent icy coils which also helps this model be more energy efficient.
Pros
- Works impressively fast, even on 1000+ square feet spaces, with humidity dropping by tens of points in just a few hours
- Energy Star compliant and extremely energy efficient —Standby mode uses only about 1 watt of power, as well
- Extensive 2 year warranty
Cons
- The exhaust is on the left of the dehumidifier. Not necessarily bad, but if you have limited options for placement, it could be an issue compared to top-exhaust units.
- Warranty is for in-person servicing only, so you’ll have to travel to an authorized repair center, which can be inconvenient
- Overall noise is low, but the compressor “knocks” frequently, which can be disruptive
Cheapest 70 Pt Energy Efficient Dehumidifier: Hisense DH-7019K1G (Energy Star Rated)
Going with a “renewed” (refurbished) product is a great way to get a higher quality option for less. This Energy Star compliant dehumidifier is very energy efficient, and rated for lower temperatures than many of its competitors, and has been fully inspected, tested, and repaired (if necessary) by an Amazon certified technician.
Pros
- Deeply discounted—about 50% of buying the same dehumidifier new—but performs just as well as an unused item
- Offers an external drainage option by attaching a garden hose (not included), perfect for extra damp spaces
- Works quickly and reliably
Cons
- Noise level seems to be inconsistent with some units
- Gravity drain function may require a work-around to function properly; contact customer support if necessary
The Most Energy Efficient 50 Pint Dehumidifier
Overall Best Pick: HONEYWELL TP50WKN Energy Star Rated
Lots of features and an impressive 3000 square foot range make this dehumidifier a great find. Honeywell’s exceptional reputation as an appliance brand doesn’t hurt either.
Pros
- A fantastic 5 year warranty—Honeywell really steps up when it comes to standing behind their products
- The air filter is extremely easy to wash, which makes it even easier to keep your home allergen and odor free while reducing moisture
- Auto-shut off when humidifier is full, for foolproof operation
Cons
- Hose connection has a bit of an atypical flange which may make finding a compatible hose difficult if you opt for continuous drain—it does come with a hose, but it’s rather short and stiff
- Humidity sensor seems to be on the finicky side, causing unnecessary shut offs, usually addressed by turning the dehumidifier off and on again
- While it reliably restarts after a power outage, the settings are reset to default, which can be problematic
Runner Up #1: Vremi 4,500 Sq. Ft.
This unit, designed with large spaces in mind, works best in rooms that are 3,000 to 4,500 square feet. It’s perfect for basements and open office plans.
Pros
- One of the top dehumidifier choices for large spaces, works quickly and still manages to be energy efficient
- Filter usually only needs to be washed once a month
- Easy to set up—very user friendly in that regard
Cons
- Even in comfort mode, it’s pretty noisy; not really a surprise, since this is designed to be a workhorse for large spaces, but good to know if you need a quieter option
- Exhaust is on the right side; this means extra planning for placement in some spaces
Runner Up #2: Keystone White High Efficiency 50-Pint Dehumidifier
With an easy to understand LED display, a transparent indicator for water level, and an automatic shutoff for a full bucket, this Keystone unit is a great choice for large spaces. You can set it up to continuously drain by attaching a length of garden hose (not included) to the outlet.
Pros
- Very well designed, with a snap-in bucket for water collection that won’t shift if you have to move the unit
- Auto defrost works very consistently, unlike some of its competitors
- Sensors are excellent; maintains a very steady humidity level once it’s achieved the level you set
Cons
- Side exhaust, which means planning placement a bit more carefully in certain spaces
- The snap-in water bucket is great for preventing misalignment and shifts when moving, but it can make it a little difficult to remove—problematic when it’s full
- Very loud
The Most Energy Efficient 30 Pint Dehumidifier
Overall Best Pick: RSHINCO 30 Pint Energy Star Dehumidifier
This full-featured and very affordable dehumidifier is an excellent choice for spaces up to 1500 square feet. The Shinco brand has over 20 years of experience in engineering quality appliances that has translated into the fantastic reputation it has today. This is one of the best dehumidifiers for those on
Pros
- Performs as well as many larger and more expensive units
- Automatic sensors switch from high to low once target humidity is approached
- Very quiet for as powerful as it is
Cons
- Water reservoir is a bit small for the amount of water it pulls from the air (and the speed with which it does it)
- Additionally, the reservoir is difficult to remove and empty cleanly when it is full; avoiding spills is easier when it’s only at about ¾ tank capacity
- Seems to produce more hot air than other similar appliances
Runner Up #1: TOSOT 1,500 Sq. Ft. 30 Pint Dehumidifier
TOSOT is well known for their high standards in both engineering and production, and this dehumidifier is no exception to the rule. The washable air filter only needs to be washed and replaced every 250 hours of operation and requires nothing more than a rinse with warm water and a mild detergent.
Pros
- Consistently quiet, unlike some competitors that claim to be within a similar decibel range
- Heated exhaust seems to be less problematic with this dehumidifier, compared to others
Cons
- Very little in the way of manufacturer’s warranty
- Customer support seems to be lackluster
Runner Up #2: Haier HEN30ET Energy Star Dehumidifier
This unit performs very well for its price point, but we’d be remiss not to point out the conspicuous lack of an Energy Star rating.
Pros
- Audible alarm when the bucket is full makes it easy to keep the machine running, without having to constantly check the display
- 2 fan speeds for your convenience
- Easy to grip side handles on reservoir make it easy to steadily remove and empty without spills
Cons
- Customer service is unresponsive
- Small reservoir for the size of the unit; really requires a drainage hose if it is to be used continuously in a large, humid space—if you are determined not to use a drain hose, it might not be the right choice
- No Energy Star rating—have to go with the manufacturer’s word on efficiency
People Also Ask
Do Dehumidifiers Use a Lot of Energy?
Non-electric dehumidifying options, of course, are the best when it comes to reducing your energy footprint, but in some spaces they just aren’t enough.
Perhaps it’s the size of the space, the lack of adequate ventilation, or just the intense humidity levels that are to blame, but in any case, you’ve started looking to more powerful options.
By their very nature, dehumidifiers are likely to use significant amounts of energy, because they heat air to condense moisture. You can compare the energy consumption of Energy Star rated brands on the Energy Star website.
How Efficient are Dehumidifiers?
Determining what dehumidifier is most efficient is complex because there are several factors to consider. While you can easily compare their overall energy consumption, you have to put that in context with the size of the space you have and the level of relative humidity you need to address.
A lower consumption dehumidifier isn’t going to save you money or energy in the long run if, for example, you need two of them to get the desired results. You need to compare the energy consumption of dehumidifiers designed for comparably sized spaces.
Energy Efficiency: 70 pt vs 50 pt vs 30 pt
You’ll find that dehumidifiers designed for 70 pt removal will have a seemingly more efficient power draw than those rated for 30 pt removal, if you consider their energy draw versus the amount of moisture they can theoretically remove.
However, bear in mind that this assumes that there are 70 pints of moisture that need to be removed. If your space is smaller and less humid, a smaller unit with a higher power draw that only needs to run a couple of hours a day may end up being the most energy efficient option.
Is it Expensive to Run a Dehumidifier?
The cost of running a dehumidifier will likely be noticeable; whether or not you consider it expensive will depend on a few different things:
Do you need to run a dehumidifier in order to protect your belongings from humidity? Take into account the cost/waste of having to replace things that have been ruined by humidity.
Have you chosen a dehumidifier well suited to the space you need to dry out? You don’t want to get one designed for a much larger or more humid space, because it will be using energy you don’t need—and costing you more than you need to pay monthly.
Is the dehumidifier sturdily made, and does it have a warranty? The cost of replacing it should also be taken into consideration.
How Much Does it Cost to Run a Dehumidifier for a Month?
The cost of running a dehumidifier for a month is variable. On average, a 280 watts-hour unit will cost 4.2 cents per hour of operation. At 10 hours per day, this would be a little over $150 per year, or about $12-$13 per month.
Is it Better to Get a Bigger Dehumidifier?
Whether or not a bigger dehumidifier is your best bet will depend on the size of the space and the level of moisture in that space. You’ll also have to consider whether you’ll be able to empty it frequently enough—or if you need a continuous draining option, if you have a drain available in that area.
You’ll definitely want to get a dehumidifier rated, at a minimum, for the square footage of the space in which you intend to use it. Bear in mind that these ratings usually refer to more or less unimpeded space (open plan offices, basements, attics, etc.).
Then, you’ll need to determine how many hours a day it can run; a larger dehumidifier may be more effective if you don’t want it to run continuously, for example.
Conclusion
The most important factor in choosing an energy efficient dehumidifier is understanding the space you’re putting it in. When you shop for your next dehumidifier, know the size of the space you’ll be using it in, and the relative humidity levels. This will help you determine how large of a dehumidifier you need and how powerful it needs to be.
Any of these energy efficient dehumidifiers will help you reduce the relative humidity in your home, so it’s really about finding the dehumidifier best fit for your specific needs.