macq
Member of DD Central
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Post by macq on Dec 6, 2022 13:01:49 GMT
Sounds better your way  Was also going to mention mrs macq's Tit-bits tip of the week (for people of a certain age) about using the drying balls that you put in a tumble dry but even less sure of that science
Despite the name drying balls I think they are for towels I'm told they make them softer not drier
She has only just been using them a few weeks mainly on towels as they are said to reduce the time needed in dryer and funny you should mention softer as i did complain they were softer (i am strange and like a rougher towel) but think you can use on any items.Coming right off topic but after me shaking my head and laughing when she spotted them online we have been using One of the so called magnetic balls that you put in a washing machines to cut limescale and must say so far the claims of a cleaner drum and using less detergent due to making the water softer seem to be true and making me reconsider the idea - so hopefully the limescale claim is working as well
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Post by bernythedolt on Dec 6, 2022 15:23:50 GMT
I agree its completely trivial: nobody is saying otherwise. Indeed doing the (very rough and ready) calculation demonstrates it is trivial, which was the point of the exercise. I thought the point of the exercise was to help you decide whether to purchase a dehumidifier. Sorry to waste your time by offering my perspective.
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Post by bracknellboy on Dec 6, 2022 16:03:40 GMT
I agree its completely trivial: nobody is saying otherwise. Indeed doing the (very rough and ready) calculation demonstrates it is trivial, which was the point of the exercise. I thought the point of the exercise was to help you decide whether to purchase a dehumidifier. Sorry to waste your time by offering my perspective. Uhh no. The latent energy aspect thing was just an interesting side track introduced by littleoldlady, which out of entirely academic interest was pursued to its logical conclusion. EDIT: Apologies if you felt you had wasted time on a serious consideration/aspect. Seriously. It never occurred to me that it was seen as anything other than that.
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one21
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Post by one21 on Dec 6, 2022 20:33:07 GMT
Some other advantages of using a dehumidifier, are a reduction in possible interstitial condensation forming within the external fabric of the building. Especially, with older solid wall type construction and also within 'cold deck' flat roof construction. Also, with heat saving by not having to open windows so often, to vent vapour from dry washing etc.
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ethel
Posts: 153
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Post by ethel on Dec 7, 2022 10:48:03 GMT
And you get free distilled water from your dehumidifier, useful for watering plants, the dog etc. Much better for plants than tap water. Not sure if it's better for the dog, but I believe animals in general prefer rain water to tap water.
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agent69
Member of DD Central
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Post by agent69 on Dec 7, 2022 14:30:00 GMT
Founder of Money Saving Expert, Martin Lewis answers your financial questions including is a dehumidifier a cost effective way to dry clothes?
I can't be bothered to listen to all 43 minutes of it, but maybe someone will take one for the team?
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one21
Member of DD Central
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Post by one21 on Dec 11, 2022 12:29:19 GMT
Founder of Money Saving Expert, Martin Lewis answers your financial questions including is a dehumidifier a cost effective way to dry clothes?
I can't be bothered to listen to all 43 minutes of it, but maybe someone will take one for the team?
Not much use! About halfway through the podcast, he just quotes the hourly cost of a 200w dehumidifier @ 34p KW. As it appears a large proportion of our population find it so difficult to work out! No comparison with a tumble dryer for drying washing over time, which we were hoping for.
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mikeb
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Post by mikeb on Dec 11, 2022 14:28:34 GMT
Most good Ones also have a anti-frost/freeze warning light or switch if the unit is running to cold as they need some level of heat to run correctly but i have never had one freeze yetI have  -- I've got a small/cheap Blyss unit which I lock in the bathroom for drying clothes, and general running in colder weather. If the ambient temperature falls too low, the strategy of "stopping compressor for 2 mins every N minutes of runtime, but leave fan running" to prevent frost buildup does not work. The ice remains, partly, and builds up incrementally. I first discovered this when I tested it to reduce humidity in an unheated (but fairly sealed) workshop space. Ice built up on the cold-side to the point where air couldn't get through AT ALL, so it was running but achieving nothing. It still builds up a little when used overnight indoors, when the ambient temp is low -- I know now to keep an eye out for where the ice starts to form, and put it on a time-out for an hour in the morning to defrost!
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alender
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Post by alender on Dec 17, 2022 10:11:16 GMT
In terms of energy use for drying cloths I believe (not done the calcs) dehumidifiers are cheaper than adding extra heat, however may get better value from a heated cloths dryer some have covers to keep the heat. I find these work well.
There are other advantages to dehumidifiers in the house, lack of damp and damp related problems like house dust mites allergies mold etc,. humidity exacerbates temperature experience, i.e. low temp high humidity feels colder than low temp low humidity, high temp high humidity feels hotter than high temp low humidity. I have been told that having a dehumidifier in a house is is cheaper than heating the house more to feel the same, also no need for so much ventilation go get rid of high humidity from cooking, bathing etc. with the added advantage of distilled water for irons etc.
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Post by Ton ⓉⓞⓃ on Feb 6, 2024 19:53:57 GMT
Following on from the Electric Auditing post.... Dehumidifiers: thinking of getting one to put in the 'laundry room'. Have been successful in managing to persuade the other half to not use the tumble dryer, but that is giving challenges in terms of getting washing dry/sense of damp in the room currently labelled "the laundry room" (CH not on sufficiently long to solve the problem). <snip> Did you get one in the end? I've always used them, I think there's great
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Post by bracknellboy on Feb 6, 2024 22:48:11 GMT
Following on from the Electric Auditing post.... Dehumidifiers: thinking of getting one to put in the 'laundry room'. Have been successful in managing to persuade the other half to not use the tumble dryer, but that is giving challenges in terms of getting washing dry/sense of damp in the room currently labelled "the laundry room" (CH not on sufficiently long to solve the problem). <snip> Did you get one in the end? I've always used them, I think there's great Holy c***, how did you stray across that thread/post after all this time  Yes I did, and we use it to help with washing dryout in winter [just need to train my wife to only put it on when the heating in that room has been pushed up so it can run at best efficiency]. Also need to remember to not keep in on for too long. Now, where it really really came into its own is when I had a ceiling replastered, to some depth, and needed to get it dry in time to get it painted, to a timeline. The dehumidifier working in conjunction with a couple of fans, and keeping the room at a moderate temperature (not too warm) for several days did the job wonderfully.
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Was also going to mention mrs macq's Tit-bits tip of the week (for people of a certain age) about using the drying balls that you put in a tumble dry but even less sure of that science 
-- I've got a small/cheap Blyss unit which I lock in the bathroom for drying clothes, and general running in colder weather.
Yes I did, and we use it to help with washing dryout in winter [just need to train my wife to only put it on when the heating in that room has been pushed up so it can run at best efficiency]. Also need to remember to not keep in on for too long.