Running a dehumidifier costs between $3 and $60 per month, depending on the unit's wattage, how many hours it runs daily, and your local electricity rate. At the 2026 national average of $0.17/kWh, a typical 50-pint ENERGY STAR dehumidifier running 10 hours/day costs about $25 per month — or roughly $0.83/day.
Use the calculator below to find your exact cost, then read on for a complete breakdown by unit type, state-by-state electricity rates, and five strategies to cut your dehumidifier's energy bill by up to 30%.
Dehumidifier Running Cost Calculator
The Running Cost Formula
The math is straightforward. Here's the formula every HVAC tech uses:
Daily cost = (Watts ÷ 1,000) × Hours per day × Electricity rate ($/kWh)
For example, a 550-watt dehumidifier running 10 hours at $0.17/kWh:
- (550 ÷ 1,000) × 10 × $0.17 = $0.94/day
- Monthly (30 days): $28.05
- Annually (6 months of use): $168.30
Most homeowners only run dehumidifiers 5–7 months per year — typically May through October in humid climates. Your actual annual cost is usually half of what a "12-month" calculation would suggest.
Running Cost by Dehumidifier Type
Every dehumidifier type has a different wattage range. Here's what each costs to operate at $0.17/kWh:
Whole-house dehumidifiers often cost less per month than large portables despite higher wattage. They process air more efficiently through ductwork and reach target humidity faster, so they run fewer hours per day.
Running Costs by Popular Models
Here are the actual wattages and calculated costs for the best-selling dehumidifiers in 2026:
*Assumes 10 hrs/day for portables at $0.17/kWh, 30 days/month, 6 months/year. **Whole-house units estimated at 6 hrs/day due to higher efficiency and duct integration.
Electricity Rates by State
Your local electricity rate dramatically affects dehumidifier costs. The same 50-pint unit that costs $18/month in Louisiana can cost $55/month in Hawaii.
*Based on a 500W unit running 10 hours/day for 30 days.
Real cost comparison: A homeowner in Hartford, CT ($0.30/kWh) running a 550W dehumidifier 12 hours/day pays $59.40/month. The same unit in Baton Rouge, LA ($0.12/kWh) costs $23.76/month — a $36 monthly difference, or $213 over a 6-month season.
Real-World Cost Examples
Example 1: Moderate Basement in Columbus, OH
Setup: Frigidaire 50-pint (515W), basement is 1,100 sq ft, moderately damp in summer. Runtime: Unit cycles on for about 8 hours/day from June through September. Local rate: $0.14/kWh Monthly cost: (515 ÷ 1,000) × 8 × $0.14 × 30 = $17.34/month Seasonal total (4 months): $69.36
Example 2: Wet Basement in New Orleans, LA
Setup: 70-pint portable (720W), basement is 1,500 sq ft, consistently 70–80% RH from May to October. Runtime: Runs about 14 hours/day in peak summer, averaging 11 hours/day over the season. Local rate: $0.12/kWh Monthly cost: (720 ÷ 1,000) × 11 × $0.12 × 30 = $28.51/month Seasonal total (6 months): $171.07
Example 3: Whole-House in Jacksonville, FL
Setup: AprilAire E100 (830W) ducted into HVAC system, 2,600 sq ft home. Runtime: Runs 5–7 hours/day from April to October. Averaging 6 hours. Local rate: $0.15/kWh Monthly cost: (830 ÷ 1,000) × 6 × $0.15 × 30 = $22.41/month Seasonal total (7 months): $156.87 AC savings (estimated): $25–$40/month from reduced cooling load = net cost near zero.
Example 4: Small Apartment in Boston, MA
Setup: 35-pint portable (400W), 600 sq ft apartment, mild dampness July–September. Runtime: 6 hours/day on average. Local rate: $0.29/kWh Monthly cost: (400 ÷ 1,000) × 6 × $0.29 × 30 = $20.88/month Seasonal total (3 months): $62.64
What Affects Running Cost the Most?
Five factors determine your actual dehumidifier operating cost. Here they are ranked by impact:
1. Hours of Operation (Biggest Factor)
A unit running 16 hours/day costs 60% more than the same unit running 10 hours. The biggest lever you have is reducing how long the dehumidifier needs to run. Sealing air leaks, fixing water intrusion, and proper sizing all reduce runtime.
2. Wattage (Unit Efficiency)
A 50-pint unit can draw anywhere from 480W (highly efficient) to 600W (average). Over a 6-month season at 10 hours/day, that 120W difference costs you $37 in electricity at $0.17/kWh. Choose ENERGY STAR certified models with the highest IEF rating you can find.
3. Electricity Rate
You can't control your utility's rate, but you can run the dehumidifier during off-peak hours if your utility offers time-of-use (TOU) pricing. Off-peak rates can be 30–50% lower than peak rates.
4. Target Humidity Setting
Setting your dehumidifier to 40% instead of 50% forces it to run significantly longer. Each 5% lower target adds roughly 15–25% more runtime. Set it to 50% for most spaces — that's the EPA threshold for mold and dust mite control.
5. Room Conditions
A sealed room reaches target humidity faster. Air leaks, open windows, and active water intrusion force the unit to work continuously. Fix the moisture source first.
5 Ways to Cut Dehumidifier Running Costs by 30%
1. Buy ENERGY STAR Certified
ENERGY STAR dehumidifiers are 15–30% more efficient than standard models. The extra $20–$50 upfront pays for itself within the first season. Look for the highest IEF rating in your capacity class.
2. Size Up, Not Down
A 50-pint unit in a space that needs 35 pints reaches target humidity faster and cycles off sooner. Total runtime drops, often by 25–40%. The slightly higher wattage is more than offset by fewer operating hours.
3. Set the Humidistat to 50%
Don't set it to 35% or 40% "just to be safe." The EPA says 30–50% is healthy. Setting to 50% instead of 40% can reduce daily runtime by 3–5 hours, saving $8–$15/month.
4. Seal the Space
Air-seal your basement or crawl space. Caulk around windows, seal rim joists, and close foundation vents (for conditioned crawl spaces). Every cubic foot of humid outdoor air that leaks in is extra moisture your dehumidifier has to remove.
5. Use Continuous Drainage
When a bucket-full shutoff stops the unit for 6–8 hours overnight, humidity rebounds. The unit then works harder and longer to bring levels back down. Continuous drainage keeps the dehumidifier running only when needed, without recovery surges.
- A 50-pint ENERGY STAR dehumidifier costs $19–$28/month at the national average electricity rate
- Your local electricity rate and daily runtime are the two biggest cost drivers
- Whole-house dehumidifiers often cost less per month than large portables due to shorter runtimes
- The single biggest cost-saving move: seal air leaks and fix water intrusion to reduce runtime
- Setting your humidistat to 50% instead of 40% saves roughly $8–$15/month in unnecessary runtime
Frequently Asked Questions
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