No. Why would you think a 15 amp circuit would be acceptable for a 20 amp appliance?

 

Who’s asking for 20 amps, the electrician or is it listed in the IOM?

 

The HVAC contractor is asking me to have an electrician install a separate plug with a dedicated 20 amp breaker in the attic. The spec sheet for the dehumidifier states that it uses 6.9 amps operating current.

 

If the contractor states that a 20 amp dedicated circuit is required, then do it. There is no acceptable alternative.

 

It really should be on its own separate circuit. I'd talk to an electrician to see what they say, but the minimum circuit amps for that dehumidifier is 12A so it's unlikely you're going to be able to share one of the outlets.

 

Operating amperage isn't the question here. This is an inductive load, so the compressor draws more current at start up than it does running. Follow the installation guide. The engineers know more than the homeowner!

 

But homeowners know everything! The internet says so.

 

I’m not sure if I see that number in the manual but I do see Minimum Circuit Ampacity is 12A

 

If the minimum ampacity is 12A, then a DEDICATED 15A circuit should suffice, but the installation manual may specify a dedicated 20A circuit.

As mentioned above, compressors and fans have inductive loads MANY times higher than running load. Some over 10 times.
Unless you want breakers tripping out whatever else you have on the circuit… I’d get a dedicated circuit installed.

 

If it were my house, I would plug it into water heater plug and see what happens. I doubt any problems. But hvac contractor do load calc with electrician, if you want

 

Thank you everyone for your input! I do see the manual states MCA is 12A and MOP is 20A. Based on this info it sounds like there would need to be 20 amp breaker for the dehumidifier?

 

Here is an alternative. There is a much more efficient dehumidifier, the Quest 105 that uses 50% electricity.
https://hydrobuilder.com/quest-dual-overhead-dehumidifier.html?opts=eyJhdHRyaWJ1dGU5MTkiOiI2NzE4In0=
This most efficient dehu at 4.5 amps for 105 pints per day. It is also ductable. This should be acceptable on a 15 amp circuit.

More money but 50% less operating cost noise. Used many.

Keep us posted.

Regards Teddy Bear