Last updated: February 5, 2024.
How many amps does a dehumidifier use? Find out here. See how dehumidifier amps vary on start-up, when running and by size. And see how dehumidifier amperage compares with the amperage of energy efficient models in 2024.
This article reveals how many amps a dehumidifier uses. Dehumidifier amps are listed by stage (i.e. start-up and running), size / capacity and energy efficiency.
Spoilers:
- Dehumidifiers draw between 2.2A and 10A when running, with 7.8A being most common;
- On start-up, dehumidifiers temporarily draw up to 27A and more, but 13A is typical; and
- The dehumidifier that’s the #1 Best Seller on Amazon draws 3.7A when running. This low amperage is expected given it received the coveted “ENERGY STAR Most Efficient” label – check it out, here.
Dehumidifier amperage increases with size. So, continue reading to see how many amps 20, 30, 40 and 50 pint dehumidifiers use.
How many amps does a dehumidifier use
Dehumidifiers typically draw between 2.2A and 10A when running. On start-up, the amp draw temporarily spikes to 27A or more in some cases, but 13A is typical.
Below, you’ll see how many amps 20 to 50 pint dehumidifiers use, and you’ll see a sample list of amperage for ENERGY STAR certified dehumidifiers.
But first, let’s look at how many amps dehumidifiers use on start-up and while running.
Related posts: Dehumidifier Wattage & Most Efficient Revealed [573 Studied] | Cost To Run A Dehumidifier [573 Studied + 9 $$ Saving Tips].
Dehumidifier amp draw on start-up
On start-up, dehumidifiers can draw over 5 times the amount of amps than what it uses when running.
Many household appliances, particularly those with electric motors (e.g. washing machines, clothes dryers), draw significantly more current on start-up. Dehumidifiers do the same.
Dehumidifier components (such as compressors, coils and fans) draw more current initially to start. The current draw then drops. This is because dehumidifiers require more power on start-up than they do when running.
Standard circuits cater to initial spikes in current draw. Typically, household circuits are protected by 13A breakers. Unless the initial draw is significantly higher than the breaker size, the breaker will not trip.
Standard household outlets can be used to run household dehumidifiers in the vast majority of cases.
Whole-home dehumidifiers require specialist installation and industrial dehumidifiers may require more current. But the vast majority of portable dehumidifiers can run off of standard circuits.
Dehumidifier amps drawn on start-up – the figures
Dehumidifiers typically have a start-up amp draw of 13A. However, it’s common to see an initial spike in current that’s 20A and higher.
The highest initial amp draw that I came across in my research into dehumidifier energy efficiency is 27A. For example, check out the amperage listed in the product description for the “BLACK+DECKER 4500 Sq. Ft. Dehumidifier with Drain Pump” on Amazon, here.
After start-up, its running draw drops to 5 amps.
Next, let’s take a look at how many amps a dehumidifier draws when running.
Dehumidifier amp draw when running
Dehumidifiers typically draw from 2.2A to 10A when running, with 7.8A being the most common.
After the initial spike in amp draw when starting, dehumidifier amp draw drops significantly. This is because it’s more energy efficient to continue to run the device’s components than it is to start them up and get them running.
It’s safe to run a portable household dehumidifier on a standard household outlet protected by a 10A / 13A breaker, in the vast majority of cases.
However, do check dehumidifier product descriptions and manuals before buying to verify this.
The amount of amps drawn by a dehumidifier tends to increase with its size. So let’s take a brief look at this.
How many amps do 20, 30, 40 and 50 pint dehumidifiers use
The table below lists the typical amp draw by modern dehumidifiers of different sizes.
| Size | Running Amps |
| 20 pint dehumidifier | 3.5A |
| 30 pint dehumidifier | 4.2A |
| 40 pint dehumidifier | 5A |
| 50 pint dehumidifier | 7A |
As you can see, the amount of amps drawn increases with dehumidifier capacity.
Larger, older, and less efficient dehumidifiers can draw a higher current than what’s listed in the table above. These models bring the most common dehumidifier amperage up to 7.8A.
But next, let’s focus more on the amperage of energy efficient dehumidifiers.
Energy efficient dehumidifier amperage
Energy efficient dehumidifiers typically draw between 2.2A and 5A when running.
The start-up amperage can remain just as high as less efficient dehumidifiers (approx. 13A to 27A and even higher in some cases).
Energy efficient dehumidifiers in 2024 draw less power than older, less efficient dehumidifiers while still achieving the same or better results.
ENERGY STAR certified dehumidifiers typically consume 15% less energy than standard dehumidifiers, according to ENERGY STAR.
The table below provides a sample of energy efficient dehumidifier amperage.
| Start-Up Amps | Running Amps | Voltage | Product details (Amazon links) |
| 13A | 2.2A | 115V | Get details, here. |
| 15.2A | 2.35A | 115V | See appliance details, here. |
| 19.4A | 2.9A | 115V | Learn more, here. |
| 13A | 3A | 115V | See specs, here. |
| Unknown | 3.7A | 120V | Get details, here. |
| 23A | 4.8A | 115V | See dehumidifier specs, here. |
| 27A | 5A | 115V | See details, here. |
All of these dehumidifiers are ENERGY STAR certified. Most of these listed are BLACK+DECKER, simply because they make their amperage more accessible.
The #1 Best Seller on Amazon is also listed – the hOme HME020030N (bolded in the table above). Unfortunately I couldn’t find the start-up current draw. However, at 3.7A, the amount of amps drawn while running is low.
This is to be expected given the fact that this dehumidifier is not just ENERGY STAR certified, but it also received the coveted “ENERGY STAR Most Efficient” label.
Check it out, here.
Don’t miss…
Interested in seeing a shortlist of the most energy efficient dehumidifiers on the market? Visit: Dehumidifier Wattage & Most Efficient Revealed [573 Studied].
Also, don’t miss the cost to run a dehumidifier, here, where 9 cost saving tips are listed.
To quickly reduce your overall electric bills, be sure to get this cost-free 6 Quick Wins Cheat Sheet:
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Dehumidifier Amps [Listed By Size, Efficiency & Stage]
How many amps does a dehumidifier use? Find out here. See how dehumidifier amps vary on start-up, when running and by size. And see how dehumidifier amperage compares with the amperage of energy efficient models.
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.