A Guide on Electricity Usage: Air Purifiers, Dehumidifiers, Evaporative Air Coolers

Dehumidifier - If you happen to own a dehumidifier operating the whole day during the summer, it uses much energy running as a conditioner. For your home to stay dry without racking up huge electricity bills, you will have to purchase an energy-efficient dehumidifier. In the past years, this meant a large, 60 to the 70-pint capacity dehumidifier, which was your best option.

How to establish the power usage in a dehumidifier

In order to establish and determine every dehumidifier’s energy efficiency, first, we have to make sure that each dehumidifier is exposed to the same conditions and applied to each of the tests. First, the relative humidity of the ambient air should remain consistent throughout all tests. However, because we set the relative humidity to 50% it was easy to do and allow us to maintain consistent humidity level throughout the testing procedure. It would have proofed much harder for us to undertake the test at a greater humidity level because the dehumidifier would quickly dehumidify the air that it wouldn’t keep the room at consistent humidity level throughout the testing duration.

Consistent humidity level is very important for the following reason; the amount of power a particular dehumidifier consumes correlates with the direct ambient air’s relative humidity. However, in the simplest terms, the dehumidifier’s internal system “works harder” at higher humidity levels. Thus the dehumidifier draws and removes more power at 90% RH than it removes at 50% RH. It’s therefore, very important that you maintain a consistent and steady room humidity level while test each dehumidifier for power usage. After the latest test was done, it was discovered that small and medium capacity dehumidifiers have equal energy efficiency as large-capacity models. These efficiency improved due to recent Energy Star requirement for all dehumidifiers that have the capacity of fewer than 75 points per day.

However, it is still advisable to still consider a larger capacity than you will technically need because they don’t cost much more, they always get your home drier much faster, and you do not have to empty the unit that often.

Evaporative Air Coolers

In comparison to traditional units, evaporative air coolers consume a small fraction of electricity, hence delivering better user experience. In order to take a leap, innovative thinking also helps. For example, an air cooler easily replaces an air-conditioner.  So in the bedroom and other closed areas can get air-conditioning while other open spaces like shaded verandahs or garden areas will be cooled with air coolers. In comparison, air coolers consume up to 10 timeless energy than air conditioners. However, low-humidity areas, evaporating water to the air gives a natural and energy efficient mode of cooling. Swamp coolers which is another name of Evaporative coolers depend on this principle that states that cooling outdoor air is passed over water-saturated pads, forcing water to evaporate into it. Then the 15° to 40°F cooler air is directed into the house, and forces warmer air out through windows. The Caring nature of your cooler.

If your cooler has serviced you twice a year, before the cooling season and midway through the summer. Regular maintenance is important and will help extend the lifespan and efficiency of your cooler.

Before turning on the unit, you are advised to perform the following simple maintenance steps:

• Remove the old pads and thoroughly dust and clean pad frames. To scrape away scale use a wire brush. Finally, Paint all the surfaces with a cooler protectant.
• Always flush and drain the reservoir. Scale and scrape away and paint with protectant.
• Wash and clean the water distribution system, including the pump impeller, pump screen, and water distribution tubes. Hence, lubricate the pump impeller. Buy and replace any cracked tubing.
• Time to time inspect the belt for wear and tear and replace the belt if need be. Repair or replace worn parts. Inspect electrical switches and repairs for poor connections or worn insulation.
• Make sure to set the belt tension so as to moderate hand pressure which depresses the belt about one inch at the center.
• Turn on the water supply and ensure that water is wetting the entire cooler pad because too little water causes dry spots and reduces the cooler's efficiency.
• Always check the water level in the reservoir and then adjust the float valve which maintains at three inches of water.

Ideally, the first five steps should always be performed at every end of the season. If you happen not be using the unit during winters, make sure to you shut off the water supply and disconnect the power cord to the unit then drain the water line to avoid possible wintertime freezing. Shut the duct dampers and cover the unit.

How to improve the cooler efficiency

For all evaporative cooler thermostats, readily available at many hardware stores, usually automatically turn off the cooler when air reaches the desired temperature, hence making the operation more efficient. However, most evaporative coolers without the automatic thermostat's system have separate switches allocated to control the pump and the fun. If the unit you have lacks a thermostat, no need to worry, all you need to do is allow your pump to run for a few minutes before you turn off the fan. This process saturates the cooler pads.

Evaporative cooling vs. air conditioning

All evaporative coolers and central air conditioners serve the same purpose that is keeping us cool. However, the two systems operate very differently. By understanding the difference will help you utilize the most out of your system hence minimizing wasted energy.

Evaporative coolers cool the air by filtering air through the water, thus bringing down the temperature. Evaporative coolers absorb water from the air during the cooling process hence producing humid air. These systems work better when small amounts of the outside air circulate into the house while the cooler is turned on.

Central air conditioners, functions by taking humidity outside of the house. These systems produce cold and dry air working best in an airtight home.

Things to always have in mind

• If you happen to have both a central air unit and evaporative cooler, avoid running them at the same time. Doing so causes both systems to work against each other which result in unstable air condition in your house.
• If you own a central air unit in your house, no need to create a crack to your house window or even open the door in order to make the system more effective. In fact, this action makes the unit system to work harder resulting in more money expenses.

Regardless of the type of system you own, make sure it in good condition and is operating properly. Systems that have water leakages, always produce unusual noise and those that don't produce cold air are usually not energy-efficient and increases your energy bill.

Air Purifiers

Don’t have sleepless nights worrying about your homes electricity bill which will be a result of leaving your air purifier running in your house bedroom. However, if you don't keep it running, Allergies will surely keep you up! With our range variety of air purifiers, you will not only be saving on medical expenses but in the long run living a healthy life and will also be saving energy! Most common air purifiers, especially those with HEPA filters, often consume a lot of power and supported with a good reason, too.

The machine requires to use a very powerful fan that is strong enough to blow and pass air through a HEPA filter. To some people, more power into the fan implies better performance of air purifiers. However, this is far from accurate and the truth. Most HEPA purifiers currently in the market consume around 30-250 watts per hour, depending on the model and size of the unit.

Hypothetically, when the purifier is used for 24 hours each day adding up to a whole year, your expenses will be around $39 to $328 annually and evaluating this on a baseline rate of $0.15 per kilowatt.

The following are measures on how to improve your home’s energy efficiency?

• Besides re-equipping your home with the latest energy efficient appliances
• Away Switch off the lights while leaving any room in your house.
• When going to sleep: turn off your television, entertainment center and computer at the wall socket instead stand-by mode.
• It’s recommendable to use cold water wash option in the washing machine; this move alternatively lowers the temperature settings from 60°C to 30°C and saves up to 50% of the laundry energy consumption.
• Always set the geyser at 60°C and cover it using a geyser blanket for maximum energy efficiency.
• Switch energy saving light bulbs in order to reduce energy consumption and increases efficiency in lighting.
• Give a breath of fresh air to your tumble dryer and your laundry.
• Make sure to insulate your ceilings.
• During cold winters use an electric blanket instead of a room heater.