Cost To Run A Dehumidifier [573 Studied + 9 $$ Saving Tips]

Last updated: February 5, 2024.

How much does it cost to run a dehumidifier? Find out here, based on 573 models. See the average impact on electric bills in 2024, and get 9 tips to reduce your dehumidifier electricity cost.

Dehumidifiers are expensive to run, due to their level of usage.

Based on 573 models, below you’ll find how much dehumidifiers cost to run across various durations, the cost to run the most energy efficient dehumidifiers, you’ll also see the average impact on electric bills, and much more.

Spoilers:

• It costs 6 cents per hour to run a dehumidifier, on average.
• The 20 Pint Media Cube is the energy efficient dehumidifier that consumes the least amount of electricity, costing just over 3 cents per hour.
• The cost to run a dehumidifier ranges from $0.83 to $3.54 per day.
• Energy efficient dehumidifiers cost from $0.83 to $1.97 per day to run.
• Running 8 hours per day for 30 days, you can expect your dehumidifier to increase your electricity bill by $15.36, or 13%.
• The cost to run a dehumidifier is equivalent to the cost of running a ceiling fan (large) for over 18 days straight.

Continue reading to see the cost to run the most energy efficient model in 2024 and get 9 tips to easily reduce the cost of running your dehumidifier.

Cost to run a dehumidifier

It costs 6 cents per hour to run a dehumidifier, on average, in the US.

Dehumidifier electricity costs range from 3 cents to 15 cents per hour. The most common hourly cost is 8 cents.

This assumes a 15 cent per kWh rate – the US average.

Power consumption is based on research into 573 dehumidifiers. For dehumidifier power consumption details, visit Dehumidifier Wattage & Most Efficient Revealed [573 Studied].

For accuracy, the hourly cost is based on the daily running costs. So next, let’s take a brief look at the cost to run a dehumidifier per day.  

How much does it cost to run a dehumidifier 24 hours a day

Dehumidifiers cost $1.54 per day to run, on average.

The cost to run a dehumidifier in 2024 ranges from $0.83 to $3.54 per day, with $1.97 being the most common cost.

Older, less efficient, dehumidifiers tend to consume a considerable amount of electricity. Their refrigerator coils, compressors and fans are not as efficient as newer models. 

This results in higher daily running costs, which becomes considerable over longer periods.

Cost to run a dehumidifier per month in 2024

It costs $46.07 per month to run a dehumidifier, on average.

The most common monthly cost to run a dehumidifier is $59.15.

Overall, the cost to run a dehumidifier per month ranges from $24.84, for the most efficient model, to a whopping $106.20 for older inefficient models.

This assumes 24/7 usage for 30 days at 15 cents per kWh.

These electricity cost results are based on study results. Your running costs may be different.

To help you see your own specific costs, here’s a dehumidifier running cost calculator…

Dehumidifier running costs calculator

Use this calculator to see how much it costs you to run your dehumidifier.

Simply enter how much you pay kWh, which can be found on your energy bill, along with your dehumidifier’s specs.

This electricity cost calculator uses a dehumidifier’s water removal capacity (pints/day) and efficiency rating to estimate the costs.

This is because I found wattage and amperage to be less commonly listed.

The results show how much it costs you to run your dehumidifier per hour, day, and month. Also included are your power consumption estimates, in kWh.

Calculations assume 24/7 usage and max draw.

Next, let’s take a look at the cost to run energy efficient dehumidifiers.

Cost to run energy efficient dehumidifiers

Energy efficient dehumidifiers cost from $0.83 to $1.97 per day to run, with the average cost being $1.54.

This is based on the IEF (L/kWh) and daily capacity of 502 ENERGY STAR certified dehumidifiers.

The table below lists the cost per hour, cost per week and cost per month to run 14 stand out energy efficient dehumidifiers.

This table also lists the sq. ft. coverage of the dehumidifiers along with whether or not they’re ENERGY STAR certified and achieved the coveted “ENERGY STAR Most Efficient” label. Links to Amazon are also included, if you’d like more details on specific dehumidifiers.

The running costs are based on 15 cents per kWh and assumes the appliance runs 24/7.

See the power consumption of the most energy efficient dehumidifiers, here.

Cost to run the most energy efficient dehumidifier

It costs 8 cents per hour, $1.80 per day and $54.14 per month to run the most energy efficient dehumidifier (i.e. the 50 pint Midea Cube – see details, incl. price, here. See the same model but with a pump, here).

The 50 Pint Media Cube is considered the most energy efficient due to its IEF (L/kWh) and advanced features. Get more details on the most energy efficient dehumidifier, here.

However, while it has received the “ENERGY STAR Most Efficient” label, it doesn’t consume the lowest amount of electricity in the short list of energy efficient dehumidifiers.

The 20 Pint Media Cube is the energy efficient dehumidifier that consumes the least amount of electricity, costing just over 3 cents per hour, 84 cents per day and $25.10 per month.

This model is designed to suit smaller rooms compared to its larger capacity counterpart.

Get product details, here.

Costing just 1 cent more per hour and with a more traditional dehumidifier style, Amazon’s #1 best seller also made the shortlist of energy efficient dehumidifiers. Check out this best seller, here.

If you’re interested in learning more about dehumidifier energy efficiency, including why the most energy efficient model uses more electricity than others, visit Dehumidifier Wattage & Most Efficient Revealed [573 Studied].

So now that we know how much it costs to run a dehumidifier, let’s put the costs into perspective by looking at the impact on electric bills and by comparing the running costs with other common household appliances.

Are dehumidifiers expensive to run

Yes. Dehumidifiers are expensive to run.

While the running cost per hour may not be considered substantial (6 cents on average), over time the costs do add up.

Dehumidifiers tend to be used for considerable durations, running continuously for days and even months.

If left running continuously for 30 days, dehumidifiers can add $46.07 to your electricity bill, on average.

Considering the average US electricity bill is $115, according to eia.gov, dehumidifiers can add a whopping 40% to your electricity bill per month, on average.

Running a dehumidifier for 8 hours per day for 30 days, you can expect to increase your electricity bill by $15.36, or 13%.

Again, this assumes a kWh rate of 15 cents – the US average.

Let’s add more perspective by comparing the average expense to run a dehumidifier per day, with the cost to run other common household appliances.

The average cost to run a dehumidifier per day (i.e. $1.54) is equivalent to:

• The cost to run a ceiling fan (large) for over 18 days straight.
• The cost to run an air purifier for approx. 12 days.
• The cost to run a refrigerator (modern large side-by-side refrigerator) for over 5 days.

So, dehumidifiers are expensive to run. But how can you reduce the running costs?

9 tips to reduce the cost of running dehumidifiers

1. Automate humidity. Modern energy efficient dehumidifiers tend to come equipped with smart features that enable you to preset humidity levels. Setting a humidity level reduces the risk of energy wastage from unnecessary use of the dehumidifier, which, as a result, helps keep running costs low.
2. Upgrade your dehumidifier. Modern energy efficient dehumidifiers cost less to run and are more effective. Depending on your usage and the efficiency of your dehumidifier, upgrading to a more efficient model can pay for itself within a few years by saving on electricity costs.
3. Manage your creation of moisture. Cooking, drying clothes, washing dishes, using the shower, running hot water and many more activities add moisture to the air in your home. Monitor these activities and look for opportunities to reduce their impact on humidity levels in a room (e.g. dry clothes outside or elsewhere, be sure to use an extractor fan when cooking and showering). Adding moisture to the air will result in your dehumidifier having to do more work, which increases its running costs.
4. Improve air circulation and ventilation. Moving more air and increasing ventilation can make humid rooms feel more comfortable. Ceiling fans are an efficient way to help move cool and even warm air throughout a room. Adding ventilation, such as installing an extractor fan, can help improve room comfort even more. The more comfortable you feel in a room, the less you’ll need to use your dehumidifier.
5. Maintain your dehumidifier. To keep your dehumidifier running costs low, it’s important to keep it running as efficiently as possible. Check the air filter – does it need replacing? Are the air vents clear? Is there a build up of frost / ice on the coils? Are you emptying the tank regularly enough (this can be an issue on older models that don’t have automatic shut-off)? Review the owner’s manual for your specific dehumidifier’s maintenance requirements.
6. Place your dehumidifier appropriately. This typically means keeping your dehumidifier 6-12 inches away from obstacles and placing it on a level surface. Check your owner’s manual for specific instructions on your dehumidifier’s placement.
7. Seal the room. Reducing air leakage into a room reduces the amount of work that your dehumidifier needs to do. Close windows, doors and seal areas where there may be air leakage. This will help keep your dehumidifier running costs low.
8. Dehumidify at night (if you’re on an appropriate plan). If you’re on a night-saver tariff, running your dehumidifier during off-peak hours can save on your running costs (a 50% saving is common). Running your dehumidifier at night, only, may not be appropriate for you, but if it is, consider inquiring about a suitable tariff from your energy provider.
9. Switch energy provider. Energy providers tend to offer significant discounts to attract new customers. Reducing the rate you pay per kWh of electricity will not only reduce your dehumidifier running costs, but it will also reduce the cost of running all of your electric appliances. So, consider shopping around.

These 9 tips don’t just reduce the cost of running your dehumidifier. They also reduce your carbon footprint. If you’d like to reduce your footprint even more consider contacting your utility provider and asking about their Green energy options.

Final thoughts

Dehumidifiers can cost a lot to run if you’re not careful.

I hope that the insight into the running costs and the tips to keep your costs low, will help you make more informed decisions when it comes to running your dehumidifier.

By keeping your dehumidifier’s electricity costs low, you not only keep your electric bills low, you also help keep carbon footprint down.

The electricity costs in this article are based on power consumption research into 573 dehumidifiers – check out the key findings here: Dehumidifier Wattage & Most Efficient Revealed [573 Studied].

You might also be interested in: Dehumidifier Amps [Listed By Size, Efficiency & Stage].

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James

James, Eco Cost Savings co-founder and Editor-in-Chief, is also our experienced in-house energy management and sustainability expert, and manager of our network of sustainability consultants.

Before his journey into sustainability, James studied engineering. Additionally, he has experience in HVAC installation, and data analysis. A self-proclaimed practical environmentalist, and avid penny pincher, James established Eco Cost Savings to share his and his colleague’s expertise with the aim of helping to reduce energy bills and carbon footprints at scale.

Read more about James or connect directly on TokTok, here.