Dehumidifier supplies saw a shortage over Christmas and New Year as more and more homeowners use the energy-efficient product
Dehumidifier shortages occurred over the Christmas period with suppliers predicting the shortages could continue into 2024(Image credit: Getty)
Dehumidifier companies reported that there was a shortage of dehumidifiers over Christmas and New Year, which is expected to continue in 2024.
The rise in sales of the best dehumidifiers has been put down to homeowners trying to lower their energy bills over the cold winter period with the energy-efficient product proving useful for drying clothes relatively cheaply as well as solving damp and mould issues caused by keeping the heating off in cold, damp weather.
Dehumidifier suppliers are now preparing for how they can meet the rising demand this year, although they predict meeting the unprecedented rise in demand could mean the shortage continues into 2024.
Dehumidifier shortage causes waiting list of over 20,000
One dehumidifier supplier claims they had a waiting list of over 20,000 people over the Christmas period wanting a dehumidifier, which they could not provide.
Chris Michael, managing director of dehumidifier supplier Meaco, stated: "Demand has been bonkers. We can't keep up with it.
“Our sales grew from 150,000 dehumidifiers in 2022 to 320,000 dehumidifiers in 2023, so a massive growth spurt. The entire UK market was smaller than that when we started to sell dehumidifiers!
"We did have shortages throughout the autumn, and we could have sold around another 50,000+ units, but the increase of 170,000 units is something that we are proud of."
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The Household Dehumidifiers market is expected to grow in the next few years, with the the global market size predicted to reach multimillion figures by 2030, with an unexpected annual growth rate between 2023 and 2030 compared to 2021, according to the global Household Dehumidifiers Marketreport.
Why was there a shortage?
It is no coincidence the dehumidifier shortage occurred during the coldest period year with an increasing number of homeowners using dehumidifiers to heat their homes and save on energy bills.
As dehumidifiers proved to be effective at removing unwanted water from the air homeowners began to question whether "Does a dehumidifier heat a room?" with the answer proving to be "Yes" with desiccant dehumidifiers being used by many to release heat into homes.
Some homeowners have found that dehumidifiers dry clothes more efficiently than tumble dryers meaning they can help homeowners save money on their energy bills, which is vital with the country seeing energy prices rises.
Desiccant dehumidifiers can be used to release heat into a room whilst also reducing humidity as well as drying clothes(Image credit: Meaco)
What are companies doing to counteract shortage?
In hindsight, Chris Michael says the company could have sold 50,000 more units last year, but is now preparing to meet the growing demand in 2024.
He added: "We are looking for further growth in 2024 and have already started to plan production throughout the summer to meet that anticipated demand and hopefully be in stock, for all lines, in 2024.”
Michael says Meaco are planning to supply 100,000 more units than usual to meet demand, meaning, 280,000 in total will be supplied, but claims this may still not be enough.
News Editor Joseph has previously written for Today’s Media and Chambers & Partners, focusing on news for conveyancers and industry professionals. Joseph has just started his own self build project, building his own home on his family’s farm with planning permission for a timber frame, three-bedroom house in a one-acre field. The foundation work has already begun and he hopes to have the home built in the next year. Prior to this he renovated his family's home as well as doing several DIY projects, including installing a shower, building sheds, and livestock fences and shelters for the farm’s animals. Outside of homebuilding, Joseph loves rugby and has written for Rugby World, the world’s largest rugby magazine.
