How much does it cost to run a dehumidifier?
We've pre-filled a typical dehumidifier below. Set your electricity rate and adjust the hours to match how you use yours — the cost updates instantly.
A dehumidifier draws ~300–800W and often runs many hours a day in a damp basement.
Running a dehumidifier at 500W for 12 h a day costs about
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A dehumidifier is a surprise on a lot of bills because it runs quietly for long stretches — often half the day or more in a damp basement through summer. At a few hundred watts for ten or twelve hours, it can rival appliances people worry about far more.
The cost is almost entirely about run hours, which are driven by how humid the space is and how low you set the target.
What drives the cost of running a dehumidifier
- It runs until the room hits the target humidity, so a damp space means long hours.
- A lower humidity setpoint makes it run much longer.
- An old or undersized unit cycles more to keep up.
How to cut it
- Set the target to 50% rather than chasing 40% — it'll run far fewer hours.
- Fix the source of the damp (drainage, a leak) so it isn't fighting a losing battle.
- Empty/clean it and pick a right-sized unit so it isn't running constantly.
- An Energy Star model pulls noticeably fewer watts for the same water removed.
What different sizes of dehumidifier draw
The typical figure above is a middle-of-the-road unit. Since a dehumidifier is sold by removal capacity (pints/day), here's the running power to expect across the common sizes — set the wattage to match yours for an exact cost.
| Removal capacity | Typical running power | |
|---|---|---|
| 20-pint | 280W | small bedroom or bathroom, mild dampness |
| 30-pint | 350W | single damp room or small apartment |
| 50-pint | 550W | damp basement or larger living area |
| 70-pint | 700W | wet basement or whole-house / high-humidity |
Common questions
How much does it cost to run a dehumidifier per month?
At a typical 500W and about 12 hours a day, a dehumidifier costs roughly $31 a month at $0.17/kWh. Set your own rate and hours above for an exact figure.
How can I cut the cost of running a dehumidifier?
Set the target to 50% rather than chasing 40% — it'll run far fewer hours.
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