How Much Does It Cost to Run a dehumidifier?
A typical dehumidifier uses about 500 watts, which costs about $0.09 per hour. Used 6 hours a day, that is $0.54 per day, $16 per month and about $197 per year at the US average of about 18 cents per kWh. Change the numbers below for your own model and rate.
Typical estimate: about 6 hours of compressor running time a day in a damp basement (roughly 1,100 kWh a year, in line with the ~1,000 kWh a year typically cited for dehumidifiers). These are typical estimates – check your own label or use a plug-in meter for exact figures.
Dehumidifier running cost by electricity rate
Rates vary widely across the country. $0.12 is typical of low-cost areas, $0.18 is about the national average, and $0.25–$0.35 or more is common in high-cost areas such as parts of California, New England and Hawaii.
| Rate per kWh | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $0.12 | $0.060 | $0.36 | $10.95 | $131 |
| $0.18 | $0.090 | $0.54 | $16.43 | $197 |
| $0.25 | $0.125 | $0.75 | $22.82 | $274 |
| $0.35 | $0.175 | $1.05 | $31.94 | $383 |
Based on 500 W for 6 h/day; month = 30.42 days.
Cost by hours of use per day
| Hours per day | kWh per month | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 h | 46 | $0.27 | $8.21 | $99 |
| 6 h | 91 | $0.54 | $16.43 | $197 |
| 12 h | 183 | $1.08 | $32.85 | $394 |
At 18 cents per kWh and 500 W.
Low, typical and high wattage
A 30–50 pint dehumidifier typically draws about 250–700 W; ENERGY STAR models sit at the lower end for the same water removal.
| Case | Watts | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 250 | $0.045 | $8.21 | $99 |
| Typical | 500 | $0.090 | $16.43 | $197 |
| High | 700 | $0.126 | $23.00 | $276 |
At 6 h/day and 18 cents per kWh.
How it is calculated
500 W × 6 h ÷ 1,000 = 3 kWh per day
3 kWh × $0.18 = $0.54 per day
$0.54 × 30.42 days = $16.43 per month
How to cut the cost of running a dehumidifier
- Set the humidistat around 50% (EPA recommends keeping indoor humidity between 30% and 50%) – the lower you set it, the longer the compressor runs.
- Use the continuous drain hose into a floor drain so the unit never shuts off on a full bucket and you are not tempted to run it empty.
- Close basement windows and fix gutters or downspouts that drain toward the foundation; less moisture in means fewer hours running.
- When buying, compare the liters-per-kWh rating on the ENERGY STAR label and size to the space, not to the biggest tank available.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a dehumidifier per month?
At 18 cents per kWh, a typical 500 W dehumidifier used 6 hours a day costs about $16.43 per month (91 kWh). That is about $197 a year.
How much does it cost to run a dehumidifier per hour?
About $0.090 per hour at 18 cents per kWh, or $0.175 per hour if you pay 35 cents per kWh. Multiply by your hours of use to estimate any day.
Why does the cost of a dehumidifier vary so much?
Wattage varies by model and setting – from 250 W to 700 W here. At the same 6 hours a day and 18 cents per kWh, that is $8 to $23 per month. Your electricity rate matters just as much: at 35 cents per kWh the typical unit costs $32 per month.