Consumer Agency Tests 9 Dehumidifiers
Average Monthly Electricity Bill 8,000 Won
Among dehumidifiers, which are home appliances in high demand during the rainy season, some products were found to have a dehumidification capacity lower than the figures advertised or indicated on the products.
The Korea Consumer Agency announced on the 17th that it conducted quality (dehumidification performance, noise), economy (energy consumption, dehumidification efficiency), and safety (stability against tipping over, dehumidified water handling, electric shock protection) tests and evaluations on nine dehumidifiers distributed in the market, revealing differences among the products.
First, the dehumidification capacity over 24 hours ranged from 12.2 to 21.1 liters depending on the product. Carrier and LG Electronics products showed relatively high dehumidification capacities of over 20.0 liters. Although Boar and Thinkair products were labeled with dehumidification capacities of 18.0 liters and 20.0 liters respectively, their actual measured capacities were 16.9 liters and 12.2 liters, which were lower than indicated. Both companies received recommendations from the Consumer Agency and corrected their dehumidification capacity labels.
The dehumidification capacity of the Winia product was 17.5 liters, about 92% of the labeled 19.0 liters, meeting the standard (Efficiency Management Equipment Operation Regulations), but it was relatively low. For Winix, when operating in the commonly used automatic mode, the measured dehumidification capacity (12.0 liters) was lower than the labeled capacity (19.0 liters). Achieving the indicated dehumidification performance required manual mode operation. Accordingly, the Consumer Agency recommended that the difference in dehumidification capacity depending on the mode be clearly indicated on the product for consumers to verify. Winix agreed to include this information in the user manual.
Noise levels varied between 49 and 57 decibels (dB) depending on the product. Winia (maximum 49 dB) and LG Electronics (maximum 50 dB) products produced noise levels below 50 dB, and under minimum airflow conditions, four products?Winia, LG Electronics, Samsung Electronics, and Winix?performed relatively well.
Regarding product efficiency, which indicates dehumidification performance per unit of power consumption, five products from Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, Winix, Carrier, and Cuckoo Homesys scored 2.6 liters/kWh or higher, rated as "excellent." Two products from Shinil Electronics and Winia were rated as "good," while Boar and Thinkair products were rated as "average" with 1.94 liters/kWh or less.
When converting electricity costs based on 171 hours of use over a month, the average was around 8,000 KRW. Samsung Electronics products had the lowest cost at 7,000 KRW, while Boar products had the highest maintenance cost at 10,000 KRW.
In safety tests, no abnormalities were found in any products, and all products met relevant standards for labeling such as certification numbers and manufacturer names.
Additionally, when converting the applicable area based on dehumidification performance, there was a difference of about 16 to 28 pyeong (approximately 53 to 93 square meters) among the products.
The water tank capacity was largest in the Shinil Electronics product at 5.7 liters and smallest in the Winix product at 3.8 liters.
The product models used in this test evaluation by brand were Boar 'VO-DE002', Samsung Electronics 'AY18CG7500GGD', Shinil Electronics 'SDH-DY20T', Thinkair 'Thinkair DL30F', LG Electronics 'DQ203PECA', Winia 'EDH19GDWA(A)', Winix 'DXJE193-LMK', Carrier 'CDHM-C020LUOW', and Cuckoo Homesys 'DH-Y1652FNW'.
A representative from the Consumer Agency stated, "When selecting a dehumidifier, it is advisable to carefully compare dehumidification performance, efficiency, noise, and price while considering the area of the space where it will mainly be used."
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