I watched this. It was of interest to me because I must run two dehumidifiers in my house and they use a ton of energy. Unfortunately, this desiccant dehumidifier would use even more energy. Hoping someday someone figures out how to build a more efficient one.
In the meantime, I think manufacturers need to build all dehumidifiers with a repeat cycle timer built in. I find it far more energy efficient to run for some period like 30 minutes till the humidity drops low — like 45%, then shut off for 60-120 minutes while the humidity slowly creeps back up until the cycle repeats. Most dehumidifiers work based on a humidity threshold and will constantly click on and off as the threshold gets crossed. In my experience, this uses a lot more energy. Being in a high cost state it is completely unaffordable.
These timers have no concept of understanding if the air is too humid.
They want a cooldown period so the unit isn’t cycling constantly.
eg. turning on and off 30 times in an hour because the sensor triggers the moment it see’s 46% when it’s set to 45.
They want it so that it triggers on pull humidity down to 45%, wait an hour no matter what then trigger the next time it sees 46% or greater, which could be immediately… or in 5 more hours.
A pure timer wouldn’t get the same effect at all.
Best answer I can think of off hand would be Home Assistant related. Get a humidity sensor and a z-wave switch/outlet. Use a dumb dehumifier that turns on as long as it has power…
On humidity sensor change check if above 45%. If it is, turn on power. wait until below 45% again… turn power off then wait 60 minutes. Make sure automation is set to not run concurrently, that way the currently running automation script must complete it’s 60 minutes cooldown before it can run again
I had the same torment when buying mine, for an office-shed that’s just a swamp of English dampness.
I opted for the desiccant one as while it used more energy it does heat the space, and actually works better at cooler temperatures. Very specific to my needs as I’d imagine that’s counter to most other use cases
Hoping someday someone figures out how to build a more efficient one
Some material, that catches water atoms via static charge, until it drips down, making room for more, maybe? Can’t think of a more efficient catch & release cycle.
I watched this. It was of interest to me because I must run two dehumidifiers in my house and they use a ton of energy. Unfortunately, this desiccant dehumidifier would use even more energy. Hoping someday someone figures out how to build a more efficient one.
In the meantime, I think manufacturers need to build all dehumidifiers with a repeat cycle timer built in. I find it far more energy efficient to run for some period like 30 minutes till the humidity drops low — like 45%, then shut off for 60-120 minutes while the humidity slowly creeps back up until the cycle repeats. Most dehumidifiers work based on a humidity threshold and will constantly click on and off as the threshold gets crossed. In my experience, this uses a lot more energy. Being in a high cost state it is completely unaffordable.
You should be able to pick up an old style timer plug for under 10 euro / USD in your hardware store.
They’re a tiny bit fiddly to set up but given how power hungry those things are you’ll be saving money in no time.
We have one around here somewhere. I’ll see if I can dig you out a picture.
Internet was faster…
These timers have no concept of understanding if the air is too humid.
They want a cooldown period so the unit isn’t cycling constantly.
eg. turning on and off 30 times in an hour because the sensor triggers the moment it see’s 46% when it’s set to 45.
They want it so that it triggers on pull humidity down to 45%, wait an hour no matter what then trigger the next time it sees 46% or greater, which could be immediately… or in 5 more hours.
A pure timer wouldn’t get the same effect at all.
Best answer I can think of off hand would be Home Assistant related. Get a humidity sensor and a z-wave switch/outlet. Use a dumb dehumifier that turns on as long as it has power…
On humidity sensor change check if above 45%. If it is, turn on power. wait until below 45% again… turn power off then wait 60 minutes. Make sure automation is set to not run concurrently, that way the currently running automation script must complete it’s 60 minutes cooldown before it can run again
I had the same torment when buying mine, for an office-shed that’s just a swamp of English dampness.
I opted for the desiccant one as while it used more energy it does heat the space, and actually works better at cooler temperatures. Very specific to my needs as I’d imagine that’s counter to most other use cases
Yeah - the video does clarify that the UK is one of the few places the desiccant one makes sense.
Sounds like something that could be automated via home assistant and an esp32.
Even a simple tuya wifi plug
Some material, that catches water atoms via static charge, until it drips down, making room for more, maybe? Can’t think of a more efficient catch & release cycle.