What’s the most efficient way to run a dehumidifier?
I have tried everything but short of a DER i can’t reduce the humidity load of the basement so i have little choice to bring in a dehumidifier.
The one i am getting is oversized according to online sources, 500sqft needs a small dehumidifier but i am getting a 70 pint energy star rated frigidaire (long story). It uses 746W and pulls 70 pints a day at 1.85L/kWh.
It has two fan speeds, if i set it at 60% humidity and the manual says nothing about compressor energy usage being adjusted with the fan which will use less energy assuming it brings the humidity down to 60% from 90-100% today. Before people say just get a smaller one there is also a crawlspace and brick wall that are porous so while i do intend to cover the dirt in the future i simply cannot afford the cost now (and it needs digging out, this house is a pain) and the small dehumidifier may not be enough at present (but it might be, i have no way to calculate this).
Thanks for your thoughts.
GBA Detail Library
A collection of one thousand construction details organized by climate and house part
Replies
Alan,
If you really want to see whether the dehumidifier uses fewer watts an low speed than high speed, buy a Watt meter (like the Kill-a-Watt meter) and measure the watt draw.
Indeed, i was hoping to find out before i receive it but i will use my kill-a-watt on it when it comes
Does oversizing a dehumidifier carry an energy penalty?
Also if my basement is 700 sq/ft, is brick construction, located in climate zone 4, has 70% unfinished concrete floor and 30% crawlspace, what size from 30-70 pints should i be looking at?