August 2026 Energy Wise Tip - Dehumidifiers
August 18, 2026
August 2026 EnergyWiseSM Tip: Dehumidifiers
By: Energy Efficiency Program Manager Cory Fuehrer
If you have traveled from Nebraska’s panhandle towards the southeast in the middle of summer, you likely know it can be a long and hot road trip. However, the further south and east you travel, you will probably notice that it is not only the temperature that is rising: humidity. High humidity can make those summer days feel even sweltering. While air-conditioning systems are tasked with removing most of this excess indoor humidity, many homes and businesses in the eastern half of the state also require stand-alone dehumidifiers to achieve acceptable levels.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommend a humidity levels between 40 and 50% for most indoor environments. In addition to eliminating the muggy, clammy feeling, additional dehumidification can:
- Improve air quality
- Lessen allergy and asthma symptoms
- Inhibit mold growth
- Diminish musty odors
- Reduce airborne dust
- Suppress dust mites
- Protect a home’s or building’s structural integrity
However, operating dehumidifiers can have a dramatic impact on summer utility bills. Even a medium-sized portable unit (50 pints per day) can add an additional $100 per month if the unit is set to operate continuously on its highest setting. If your home or business requires a separate dehumidifier to manage humidity level, here are some ideas of how to do it most efficiently.
- when shopping for a dehumidifier, purchase an ENERGY STAR®-certified model. Dehumidifiers that earn this certification use more efficient refrigeration coils, compressors and fans to remove the same amount of moisture as a similarly sized conventional unit but use about 15% less energy. Dehumidifier efficiency is measured with an Integrated Energy Factor (IEF), which is in the amount of electricity (kilowatt hours (kWh)) the unit consumes for each liter (L) of moisture removed from the air. To be eligible for certification, minimum IEF values are:
- Units rated up to 25 pints/day – IEF of =.70 L/kWh or greater.
- Units rated at 25.01 to 50 pints/day – IEF = 2.01 L/kWh or greater.
- Units at over 50 pints/day – IEF = 3.30 L/kWh or greater.
- Set the humidistat so the dehumidifier does not run continuously. For basements in the summertime, 50% relative humidity is recommended. In colder weather, relative humidity levels between 25 and 40% are advised to reduce condensation on windows. Tightly close all windows and doors to the area being conditioned to minimize humidity coming from outside air.
- Place the dehumidifier in the area with the highest humidity but avoid creating a safety hazard by placing it in or near water. Dehumidifiers are not the solution to standing water (or running water) in basements.
- Make sure the dehumidifier is connected to a properly grounded outlet.
- Position the dehumidifier away from the wall or furniture so air can freely circulate through the unit.
- Hook up a drain hose to the dehumidifier to eliminate the need to continuously empty the tank.
- Keep the dehumidifier clean. Wipe or vacuum dust and dirt from the coils and fan.
- If you have a choice of fan speeds, higher speeds are more efficient, though lower speeds are quieter.
- Reduce energy use during peak electric use periods. Put your dehumidifier on a timer to turn it on at 9 p.m. and off at 10 a.m.
In partnership with Nebraska Public Power District, your local utility wants to help you stay cool, comfortable and healthy this summer. Contact them or visit www.enerywisenebraska.com if you would like more information on ways to improve your energy efficiency, as well as various EnergyWiseSM incentives that may be available to you for implementing energy efficient technologies.
