💧How much does it cost to run a dehumidifier?
A dehumidifier draws about 300 to 700 watts. Running about 12 hours a day and the US-average 17¢/kWh, that’s about $18–$43 a month ($223–$521 a year) — roughly $0.051–$0.12 an hour while it’s on.
These are estimates, not a meter reading. The wattage and energy figures are typical US ranges and the 17¢/kWh is the national-average rate — the math is exact once you plug in your own wattage and rate. Your real cost depends on the specific unit, your settings and your utility.
Energy and cost, broken down
| Timeframe | Energy (kWh) | Cost @ 17¢/kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour running | 0.30–0.70 | $0.051–$0.12 |
| Per day (12 h) | 3.6–8.4 | $0.61–$1.43 |
| Per month | 108–252 | $18–$43 |
| Per year | 1314–3066 | $223–$521 |
At the US-average 17¢/kWh. On a cheap rate (~11¢) these drop about a third; in California, New England or Hawaii (~33¢+) they roughly double. Ranges reflect the typical span of unit sizes and settings.
Why it costs what it does
A dehumidifier's cost comes from two things: its wattage (300–700 watts, larger-pint units at the top) and how much of the day it actually runs, which in a damp basement can be most of it. That combination is why a dehumidifier often surprises people — at 500 watts running 12 hours a day it uses about 6 kWh, roughly a dollar a day. Bigger-capacity units cost more per hour but reach the target humidity faster and then idle, so a right-sized model can cost less over a day than an undersized one grinding non-stop.
How to run it for less
- Set the humidistat to 50% and let it cycle off — running to a target rather than 24/7 is the biggest saving, and 50% is enough to stop mold.
- Right-size the pint capacity to the space: a too-small unit runs constantly, while a larger one hits the target and idles, using less over a day.
- Fix the moisture source where you can — seal basement leaks, vent the dryer outside, run a bathroom fan — so the dehumidifier has less to remove.
- Empty or drain it promptly; a full tank shuts the unit off (no dehumidifying) or, with a hose, avoids the stop-start that wastes energy.
Keep going
Frequently asked
How much does it cost to run a dehumidifier for 24 hours?▾
About $1.20 to $2.90 for a full 24 hours at 300–700 watts and the US-average 17¢/kWh — but few units actually run non-stop. With the humidistat set to 50%, the unit cycles off once it hits target, so real daily cost is usually well below that. A damp basement in humid summer weather sits near the top of the range; a lightly damp room, near the bottom.
Is it cheaper to run a dehumidifier constantly or in cycles?▾
Cycles, by a wide margin. A 50-pint unit pulling about 500 W costs roughly $2 a day run 24/7 — about $61 a month. Set to a humidistat target of 50% relative humidity it typically runs 8–12 hours a day instead, landing near $20–$30 a month for the same dry room. Emptying the tank promptly matters too: a full tank stops the unit while the compressor keeps cycling.
How do I work out what a dehumidifier costs to run for my electricity rate?▾
Take the wattage ÷ 1,000 to get kilowatts, multiply by the hours you run it, then by your electricity rate. Find your rate on your bill (total ÷ kWh used) — the US average is about 17¢/kWh, but it ranges from ~11¢ in the cheapest states to 30–42¢ in California, New England and Hawaii. So the same dehumidifier costs roughly 35% less on a cheap rate and nearly double on an expensive one than the figures here.
What is the average price of electricity in the US?▾
About 17¢ per kWh for residential customers as a national average (2026). The cheapest states — parts of the Midwest and Pacific Northwest — sit near 11¢, while California, most of New England and Hawaii run 30¢ to over 40¢. Your exact rate is on your utility bill; divide the dollar total by the kWh used, or read the per-kWh charge directly.