Quick answer: A 50-pint dehumidifier draws about 550 watts while running, about $0.10 an hour at the US average rate of 18.2¢ per kWh. Running 8 hours a day, it costs roughly $24.02 a month; with the humidistat cycling it off, the real figure is often lower.
A dehumidifier’s cost depends on its size, its efficiency and how damp the space is, because a humidistat switches the compressor off once the air is dry enough.
Dehumidifier running costs by size
| Dehumidifier | Power | Hours a day | US per hour | US per day | US per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small, 20 to 22 pints a day | 300 W | 8 | $0.05 | $0.44 | $13.10 |
| Medium, 35 pints a day | 450 W | 8 | $0.08 | $0.66 | $19.66 |
| Large, 50 pints a day | 550 W | 8 | $0.10 | $0.80 | $24.02 |
| Basement, 70 pints a day | 700 W | 8 | $0.13 | $1.02 | $30.58 |
Living in the UK? See dehumidifier running costs in pounds.
Dehumidifier cost calculator
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The right humidity setting
The US Environmental Protection Agency recommends keeping indoor humidity between 30% and 50%, and below 60% to limit mould. Setting the humidistat to around 45 to 50% protects your home without running the machine longer than needed.
How to run a dehumidifier for less
- Close doors and windows in the room you are drying.
- Fix the source: leaks, poor ventilation, drying laundry indoors, unvented dryers.
- Use continuous drainage with a hose so the machine doesn’t stop when the bucket fills.
- Keep the filter and coils clean.
- Choose an ENERGY STAR model: they remove more water per kWh.
- Mind cold basements. Compressor units lose efficiency in cool air; models rated for low temperatures cope better.
Frequently asked questions
Should I run my dehumidifier all the time?
Run it with the humidistat set to your target level and it will switch on only when needed. There is no benefit in drying the air below 30%.
Does a dehumidifier use more electricity than an air conditioner?
A large dehumidifier uses less than a central AC system but can match a small window unit.
A real example: a damp basement in summer
A 50-pint dehumidifier in a basement set to 50% humidity might run about 12 hours a day in a humid July, using 198 kWh a month: about $36.04. In a drier month it may run only 4 hours a day, around $12.01.
Running it continuously at full power would use 396 kWh a month, about $72.07, which is why the humidistat setting matters so much.
Getting the most from a dehumidifier
- Close the doors and windows of the space you are drying.
- Keep the unit away from walls and furniture so air can flow through it.
- Clean the air filter every few weeks.
- Use a hose to drain continuously if possible, so the unit does not stop when the bucket is full.
- Look for an ENERGY STAR model, which removes more water per kWh.
More questions readers ask
What size dehumidifier do I need?
For a moderately damp space of 1,000 to 1,500 sq ft, a 35 to 50-pint model is usually enough. Very wet basements may need a larger unit.
Does a dehumidifier make a room warmer?
Slightly. Compressor dehumidifiers release a little heat as they work, and dry air also feels more comfortable.
Sources
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidance on indoor humidity and mould.
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, Short-Term Energy Outlook.
- Our methodology.