A:Answer Don't know if you still need a response. A dehumidifier needs a fair amount of electricity to do its job. If you add a dehumidifier to your home and you didn't previously have one, your electric usage will increase. How much depends on how long the dehumidifier runs, which depends on the humidity level in your home.
A dehumidifier, if properly sized, can remove significant amounts of humidity. A central airconditior can also dehumidify some.
So, even if you have an A/C, it isn't able to remove all of the excess moisture in the air. So adding a dehumidifier in humid climates is highly recommended.
72 degrees at 75 percent of humidity feels far warmer than 72 degrees at 45 percent humidity. So when the dehumidifier has worked long enough to get the humidity down to 40 to 45% humidity, you can try increasing your temperature on your A/C. This combination may raise your electric bill only slightly, while you will feel more comfortable, you will have less musty odors, and you will have less chance of mold growing on your possessions. Allergic family members may do better as lower humidity reduces mold, fungus, and dustmites.
Tthere should have been an Energy label on the unit when you bought it. However, I live in a humid climate with a very high water table, so my unit runs almost constantly in my basement. I don't know off the top of my head what the extra cost was -- but well worth it.
