Most Energy Efficient Dehumidifiers (Energy Star Compared)
Written by the Dehumidifier for Basement editorial team and reviewed for source accuracy. — last updated July 2026. Editorial policy · Report an error
Quick answer
Energy Star certified dehumidifiers must meet an EPA-reviewed integrated energy factor (liters/kWh) that exceeds the federal DOE 2019 minimum. Among 50-pint models, Frigidaire, GE, Danby, and Honeywell all currently list Energy Star certification.
This is a spec-based comparison — we have not lab-tested these units; specs are from manufacturers and Energy Star.
What does Energy Star certification mean for a dehumidifier?
The EPA's Energy Star program certifies dehumidifiers that meet a minimum integrated energy factor (IEF), measured in liters of water removed per kilowatt-hour, that is stricter than the DOE 2019 baseline standard. Certification is verified through the Energy Star product finder database, not through DOE testing alone.
How much does Energy Star certification save on running cost?
Since Energy Star units must meet a higher IEF, they generally draw fewer watts per pint removed than non-certified units of the same rated capacity. Comparing wattage directly is the simplest way to estimate savings at the EIA average rate of $0.16/kWh.
| Model | Energy Star | Watts | Est. monthly cost (8 hrs/day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frigidaire FFAD5033W1 | Yes | 480W | $18.43 |
| Danby DDR050BJWDB | Yes | 490W | $18.82 |
| GE APER50LZ | Yes | 500W | $19.20 |
| hOmeLabs HME020031N | No | 420W | $16.13 |
| Waykar 4500 Sq Ft Dehumidifier | No | 530W | $20.35 |
Source: Manufacturer spec sheets; Energy Star product finder; EIA $0.16/kWh
Frigidaire FFAD5033W1
- Manufacturer
- Frigidaire
- Model number
- FFAD5033W1
- Rated capacity
- 50 pint (current DOE test procedure)
- ENERGY STAR
- Listed as ENERGY STAR certified on the ENERGY STAR product finder
- Integrated Energy Factor
- Not published by the manufacturer.
- Power draw
- 480 W (manufacturer specification)
- Operating temperature
- 41°F–95°F (manufacturer specification)
- Drainage methods
- Bucket or gravity hose
- Built-in pump
- No
- Dimensions
- Not published by the manufacturer.
- Weight
- Not published by the manufacturer.
- Warranty
- Not published by the manufacturer.
- Manufacturer-stated coverage
- Up to 4,500 sq ft (manufacturer claim)
- Noise
- 50 dBA (manufacturer claim)
- Price range
- $220–$250 (subject to change)
- Availability
- Widely available
Strengths (from published specs)
- Energy Star certified
- Full-tank alert and auto shutoff per spec sheet
- Lower listed price than the pump model
Limitations (from published specs)
- No built-in condensate pump — gravity drain only
- Manual bucket empties every 12+ hours in high humidity
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Price subject to change. Specification source: Frigidaire. Last verified 2026-07-29.
Danby DDR050BJWDB
- Manufacturer
- Danby
- Model number
- DDR050BJWDB
- Rated capacity
- 50 pint (current DOE test procedure)
- ENERGY STAR
- Listed as ENERGY STAR certified on the ENERGY STAR product finder
- Integrated Energy Factor
- Not published by the manufacturer.
- Power draw
- 490 W (manufacturer specification)
- Operating temperature
- 41°F–95°F (manufacturer specification)
- Drainage methods
- Bucket or gravity hose
- Built-in pump
- No
- Dimensions
- Not published by the manufacturer.
- Weight
- Not published by the manufacturer.
- Warranty
- Not published by the manufacturer.
- Manufacturer-stated coverage
- Up to 4,000 sq ft (manufacturer claim)
- Noise
- 52 dBA (manufacturer claim)
- Price range
- $220–$250 (subject to change)
- Availability
- Widely available
Strengths (from published specs)
- Energy Star certified
- Full-bucket auto shutoff per spec sheet
- Casters listed for portability between rooms
Limitations (from published specs)
- No built-in pump on this model per spec sheet
- 52 dBA is mid-to-loud for continuous basement use
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Price subject to change. Specification source: Danby. Last verified 2026-07-29.
GE APER50LZ
- Manufacturer
- GE Appliances
- Model number
- APER50LZ
- Rated capacity
- 50 pint (current DOE test procedure)
- ENERGY STAR
- Listed as ENERGY STAR certified on the ENERGY STAR product finder
- Integrated Energy Factor
- Not published by the manufacturer.
- Power draw
- 500 W (manufacturer specification)
- Operating temperature
- 41°F–95°F (manufacturer specification)
- Drainage methods
- Bucket, gravity hose, or built-in pump
- Built-in pump
- Yes — built-in pump
- Dimensions
- Not published by the manufacturer.
- Weight
- Not published by the manufacturer.
- Warranty
- Not published by the manufacturer.
- Manufacturer-stated coverage
- Up to 4,500 sq ft (manufacturer claim)
- Noise
- 51 dBA (manufacturer claim)
- Price range
- $240–$270 (subject to change)
- Availability
- Widely available
Strengths (from published specs)
- Energy Star certified
- Built-in pump per GE spec sheet
- SmartHQ app connectivity for remote scheduling
Limitations (from published specs)
- Mid-pack noise rating at 51 dBA
- Price runs higher than non-connected competitors
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Price subject to change. Specification source: GE Appliances. Last verified 2026-07-29.
hOmeLabs HME020031N
- Manufacturer
- hOmeLabs
- Model number
- HME020031N
- Rated capacity
- Labeled under the pre-2019 test procedure — confirm the current rating on the box
- ENERGY STAR
- Not found on the ENERGY STAR product finder at last check
- Integrated Energy Factor
- Not published by the manufacturer.
- Power draw
- 420 W (manufacturer specification)
- Operating temperature
- 41°F–95°F (manufacturer specification)
- Drainage methods
- Bucket or gravity hose
- Built-in pump
- No
- Dimensions
- Not published by the manufacturer.
- Weight
- Not published by the manufacturer.
- Warranty
- Not published by the manufacturer.
- Manufacturer-stated coverage
- Up to 4,500 sq ft (manufacturer claim)
- Noise
- 50 dBA (manufacturer claim)
- Price range
- $180–$210 (subject to change)
- Availability
- Limited availability
Strengths (from published specs)
- Lower street price than most Energy Star competitors
- Included wheels for portability per spec sheet
Limitations (from published specs)
- Not on the Energy Star product finder as of this writing
- Older-standard pint label may overstate true 2019-DOE capacity
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Price subject to change. Specification source: hOmeLabs. Last verified 2026-07-29.
Waykar 4500 Sq Ft Dehumidifier
- Manufacturer
- Waykar
- Model number
- PD160B
- Rated capacity
- Not published by the manufacturer.
- ENERGY STAR
- Not found on the ENERGY STAR product finder at last check
- Integrated Energy Factor
- Not published by the manufacturer.
- Power draw
- 530 W (manufacturer claim)
- Operating temperature
- 41°F–95°F (manufacturer claim)
- Drainage methods
- Bucket or gravity hose
- Built-in pump
- No
- Dimensions
- Not published by the manufacturer.
- Weight
- Not published by the manufacturer.
- Warranty
- Not published by the manufacturer.
- Manufacturer-stated coverage
- Up to 4,500 sq ft (manufacturer claim)
- Noise
- 47 dBA (manufacturer claim)
- Price range
- $190–$220 (subject to change)
- Availability
- Limited availability
Strengths (from published specs)
- Lowest listed street price in this size class
- 47 dBA manufacturer noise claim is among the lowest listed
Limitations (from published specs)
- Not Energy Star certified, so no verified independent efficiency test
- 530W draw is high relative to its size class
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Price subject to change. Specification source: Waykar. Last verified 2026-07-29.
Do bigger units always cost more to run?
Generally yes on raw wattage, but a properly-sized 50-pint unit running fewer hours per day can cost less overall than an undersized unit running continuously to keep up with humidity load. See running cost breakdown.
Checklist for choosing an efficient dehumidifier
- Look up the model on the Energy Star product finder to confirm current certification
- Compare watts at the same pint capacity, not across different capacities
- Check the DOE 2019 test standard vs older labeling
- Confirm your basement's actual size against the coverage sq ft claim
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Frequently asked questions
What is an integrated energy factor?+
It's a measure of liters of water removed per kilowatt-hour of electricity used, used by Energy Star to certify efficient dehumidifiers.
Are all 50-pint dehumidifiers similarly efficient?+
No — watts vary by model even at the same rated pint capacity, from about 420W to 530W among the models compared here.
Does Energy Star certification cost more upfront?+
Not always. In this comparison, Energy Star certified models and non-certified models overlap in price range.
How do I verify a model is still Energy Star certified?+
Search the model number on the official Energy Star product finder website; certifications can be added or removed over time.
Does a higher wattage always mean worse efficiency?+
Not necessarily — a higher-wattage unit with a larger rated capacity can still have a competitive energy factor. Compare IEF, not watts alone, when possible.
Keep reading
Sources and methodology
Guidance on this page is drawn from federal agencies and industry standards bodies rather than our own laboratory testing. We do not test appliances in a laboratory and we do not publish product measurements we did not obtain from the manufacturer or a government listing.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Mold Course & moisture control guidance (keep indoor relative humidity 30–50%)Used for: Target indoor relative humidity range and mold-growth conditions. Last verified 2026-07-29.
- U.S. Department of Energy — Energy Conservation Standards and Test Procedure for DehumidifiersUsed for: Why capacity ratings changed: the current federal test procedure and its rating conditions. Last verified 2026-07-29.
- ENERGY STAR (EPA) — ENERGY STAR Certified Dehumidifiers product finderUsed for: Certification status, Integrated Energy Factor (IEF) values, and sizing guidance for dehumidifiers. Last verified 2026-07-29.
- Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) — Dehumidifier certification program and sizing guidanceUsed for: Capacity-by-condition sizing ranges and certified capacity verification. Last verified 2026-07-29.
- U.S. Energy Information Administration — Electric Power Monthly — average retail price of electricity, residential sectorUsed for: Default electricity rate used in operating-cost estimates. Last verified 2026-07-29.
Written by the Dehumidifier for Basement editorial team and reviewed for source accuracy. Last updated July 2026. Found an error? Report it through our corrections policy.