He is Struggling to calculate exactly how much it costs to run your humidifier?
Welcome to the club! This is a question that thousands of people who use these electronic devices ask themselves on a regular basis.
It is estimated that in 2019, the retail sales of humidifiers in the US alone was approximately 643.1 million USD. And considering that modern electricity prices are always on the rise, being aware of your monthly energy usage is now more important than ever.
Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place for answers. Below, I’ve prepared a short article explaining the power consumption you can expect from something like this, along with some helpful tips on how to reduce it.
Read on to get the most out of your humidifier!
How Much Does It Cost to Run Your Humidifier?
I would like to start by mentioning that there is no cookie cutter answer to this. There are several factors, such as the type of humidifier, its capacity, how often the machine is used, and of course, the electricity rates in your area to consider.
By factoring all of these factors into your calculations, you can more accurately determine your expected monthly spending. That being said, in most cases there’s nothing to worry about, as most humidifiers use very little energy, so if you’re paying high monthly electricity bills, something else might be to blame.
The only exception to this rule would be if your particular appliance has an internal heating element, as heating is one of the most expensive ways to use electricity out there.
To put this in perspective, let’s assume you have a medium-sized 200-watt humidifier, and you use it for 8 hours a day. Assuming the month in question has 30 days, and you use a kWh rate of $0.1524, you would be paying about $7.31 per month to use the unit..
(200 watts x 8 hours = 1,600 watts per day, or 1.6 kWh, multiplied by $0.1524 equals $0.2438 per day)
On the other hand, a humid room will stay warm for a long time. A good humidifier with built-in heat can help you save in other areas by allowing you to use your furnace or AC (which draws a lot of energy) less.
How Can You Use It More Effectively?
I hope my previous calculations have helped you feel less anxious about the monthly energy consumption of your humidifier. But still, you might want to take things a step further and you’re probably wondering if it’s possible to use less electricity.
And luckily for you, the answer is yes. Here are some tips that you can use in your daily routine to reduce energy consumption even more.
#1 See Correction
One of the easiest ways to save as much energy as possible is to look for a humidifier model that has many adjustable options.
If you have control over your machine, it will be much easier to control the energy consumption, as the unit will not always be running without a good reason. Granted, feature-rich humidifiers are almost always the more expensive option, but in the long run, the extra money you’ll spend on them will pay off in monthly savings.
#2 Placement Is Key
Unlike the AC unit, the location you choose to be the home of your new humidifier is also very important. HVAC systems, regardless of the specific model, rely on proper airflow and a clear environment to deliver the best results.
When it comes to humidifiers, the more central they are, the better. This can help these devices raise the humidity level in your home to the level you want without working hard, drawing less energy.
In addition, a good practice like this can make the reservoir last longer, reducing the frequency of the annoying beep sound that some models have.
#3 Keep Windows Closed
As I mentioned earlier, since humidifiers are part of the HVAC category, the air quality where they are placed, and the airflow they come into play with can greatly determine how well or poorly they work over time.
Leaving your windows open while you are trying to dehumidify a certain area of your home is not beneficial, as this can cause the home dryer, preventing the appliance from reaching the desired humidity. This is similar to when you turn on the AC system in your car and roll down your windows. You let all the cool air out.
Ideally, your home should be hermetic when you try to humidify it, as this will bring the best results. Just be careful not to overdo it, as excessive humidity and poor ventilation can cause mold. We have a great guide on how to prevent this, if you want to check it out!
#4 Keep the Machine Clean
Many people sadly underestimate the importance of keeping their favorite electronics clean without realizing that this is what may be causing all of their problems.
When manufacturers advise consumers to clean their electronics regularly, it’s not for the sake of beauty. In most cases, this recommendation comes from a technical point of view, since dust and gunk formation can cause many problems, such as overheating, excessive use of the resource, and even slow circulation.
By making sure you keep your humidifier clean at all times, you will be one step closer to saving energy while using it continuously.
#5 Decorate Your Home
Similar to keeping your windows closed to allow for proper airflow and humidity controls, making sure your home is properly insulated is also key to reducing your appliance’s energy consumption.
This can also help you save on other electrical appliances, such as Air Conditioners, furnaces, and central heating systems, as the interior temperature of your home will be better maintained.
Granted, installing insulation if your home doesn’t already have it, or repairing it when it’s damaged won’t be expensive, but in the long run, you’ll save a lot of money on electricity.
#6 Use a timer
Although many modern appliances (including printers) already have adjustable timers, some cheaper models may still be sold without this feature. This can cause your unit to run longer than it should to deliver the desired results.
A situation like this can increase energy consumption without any real added benefits, throwing efficiency down.
The best solution for cases like these are automatic switches that you can buy from any online marketplace. These plug into your wall outlet on one end, and plug into your humidifier on the other.
When the timer goes off, all power is cut off from any connected electrical appliances.
#7 Choose Power Saver
Finally, let’s talk about an obvious, but simple solution to this issue – smart shopping.
If you feel that you don’t have time to use all the tips I just gave you, and you are reading this article to prepare to buy your vaporizer, the first thing you want to do is look for a model that works well.
There are many of these devices on the market that are designed to work wonders while drawing as little power as possible, which is great if lowering your utility bill is of utmost importance.
Now, don’t get too excited, Effective humidifiers aren’t magic, and they won’t cut your bills in half. Not alone, at least. If you want to get the best savings, buying a unit like this, in addition to using our tips above is the way to go.
The conclusion
That about sums it up!
The price per unit of utility continues to rise year after year, so calculating how much energy your favorite appliances consume, and finding smart and fast ways to reduce this number is important.
I hope this article helped you set clear expectations about how much you will pay to use a humidifier when the bill comes, and what you can do to save money.
Thank you so much for sticking with me until the end. If you found this article interesting and helpful, please consider checking out our other amazing resources below and signing up for our newsletter.
I do not wish you well.
— Craig.