Program Overview
While dehumidifiers have long been a part of appliance recycling programs when collected with a qualifying large appliance, you may not know that the kWh and kW savings associated with recycling dehumidifiers justify adding them as a stand-alone measure.
Based on the Mid-Atlantic TRM (V10), dehumidifier recycling can generate over 1,000 kWh of savings per unit annually. Since few programs have offered stand-alone dehumidifier pickup and recycling, this may be an untapped market with huge potential for kWh savings, peak demand reduction and customer satisfaction.
Program Benefits
- Significant kWh and kW Savings – The Mid-Atlantic TRM (V10) states that the average annual kWh savings for a dehumidifiers manufactured before October 2012 is 1,260 kWh. The average peak kW savings for a unit manufactured before 2012 is .262 kW.
- Drives Customer Satisfaction – Customers appreciate the unique convenience of free pickup and recycling for a dehumidifier. In 2021, 98% of ARCA Recycling program participants said they’d recommend our programs to friends (based on 4,500+ survey responses).
- Large Market Potential – According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Residential Consumption Survey, approximately 20% of all U.S. single-family detached homes have at least one dehumidifier.
Case Study – Efficiency Smart Stand-Alone AC and Dehumidifier Recycling
Efficiency Smart’s Appliance Recycling Rewards Program in Delaware accepts dehumidifiers and window air conditioners as stand-alone measures.
These appliances can be picked up on their own, or with another qualifying appliance (refrigerator or freezer). The customer is rewarded with a $50 incentive per working appliance.
The program launched in Summer 2020 and has been well received by customers. The convenience of having their dehumidifiers or air conditioner picked up from their home, and responsibly recycled, along with receiving a $50 incentive for doing so, have been huge selling points for the program.