How Much Does It Cost to Run a Dehumidifier?
Written by the Dehumidifier for Basement editorial team and reviewed for source accuracy. — last updated July 2026. Editorial policy · Report an error
Quick answer
At the EIA national average of $0.16/kWh, a typical 30-50 pint basement dehumidifier running 12 hours a day costs roughly $15-$40 a month, depending on wattage and Energy Star rating. Larger, older, non-Energy Star units on the high end; small Energy Star units on the low end.
How much electricity does a dehumidifier use per month?
It depends on wattage and runtime, not just pint capacity. A dehumidifier's power draw ranges roughly 280-750 watts depending on size and efficiency. Multiply watts by daily runtime hours and by $0.16/kWh (the EIA's national average residential rate) to get a monthly estimate.
| Capacity (2019 DOE rating) | Typical watts | 8 hrs/day | 16 hrs/day | 24 hrs/day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20-25 pint (small room) | 280-350 W | $11-$13/mo | $22-$27/mo | $32-$40/mo |
| 30-35 pint (mid, Energy Star) | 350-450 W | $13-$17/mo | $27-$35/mo | $40-$52/mo |
| 50 pint (large basement, ~old 70-pint) | 480-600 W | $18-$23/mo | $37-$46/mo | $55-$69/mo |
| 70+ pint (whole-basement/commercial) | 650-750 W | $25-$29/mo | $50-$58/mo | $75-$86/mo |
Source: Calculated at $0.16/kWh, EIA average residential rate; wattage ranges from typical Energy Star spec sheets
Does the DOE 2019 pint rating change how much it costs to run?
Indirectly, yes. The DOE 2019 standard changed how capacity is measured and labeled — a unit once sold as "70-pint" under the old test method is now labeled roughly "50-pint" under the new, more realistic test, even though it's the same physical machine. The new labels don't mean weaker units; they mean more accurate ones. Don't assume an older "70-pint" unit removes more water per watt than a new "50-pint" one — check the actual wattage and Energy Star Integrated Energy Factor (IEF), measured in liters removed per kWh, to compare real efficiency.
How do I calculate my own dehumidifier's exact cost?
Tools needed
- Model's wattage (from nameplate or manual)
- Calculator or phone
- Kill-A-Watt meter (optional, $20-$25)
- 1Find the wattageCheck the nameplate sticker on the back or the manual's spec sheet, usually listed under 'rated power' or 'watts'.
- 2Estimate daily runtimeTrack how many hours a day the compressor actually runs — auto mode may only run 40-70% of the time, not 24 hours straight.
- 3Convert to kWhMultiply watts by hours run, then divide by 1,000 to get kWh per day (example: 500 W × 12 hrs ÷ 1,000 = 6 kWh/day).
- 4Multiply by your electricity rateUse $0.16/kWh as a baseline, or check your utility bill for your actual rate, which varies by region.
- 5Multiply by 30kWh/day × rate × 30 gives a monthly dollar estimate (example: 6 kWh × $0.16 × 30 = $28.80/month).
Does an Energy Star dehumidifier really save money?
Yes, typically 15% less energy than a standard non-certified unit of the same capacity, per Energy Star's Integrated Energy Factor requirements. On a $30/month unit, that's roughly $4-$5/month saved, or $25-$50 a season — often enough to offset the higher upfront price of an Energy Star model within 2-3 years. See best Energy Star dehumidifiers for specific models.
Can I lower the running cost without buying a new unit?
- Set a realistic humidistat target (45-50% RH) instead of max/continuous mode — see best humidity setting
- Seal obvious air leaks (window wells, sump lid) so the unit isn't fighting a constant moisture supply
- Clean or replace the filter monthly — a clogged filter forces the compressor to work harder for the same result
- Turn it off or lower runtime in winter when RH naturally drops (see winter operation)
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Frequently asked questions
Is it expensive to run a dehumidifier all summer?+
Over a 4-month humid season, a mid-size unit running 12-16 hours a day typically costs $60-$140 total at $0.16/kWh — meaningful but far cheaper than mold remediation.
Do bigger dehumidifiers always cost more to run?+
Usually yes in raw watts, but a correctly-sized larger unit may cycle less often than an undersized one struggling to keep up, partly offsetting the higher wattage.
How much does a condensate pump add to the cost?+
Negligible — well under $1/month, since it only runs in short bursts. See condensate pump setup.
Does my electricity rate matter more than the unit itself?+
Both matter, but rate variation across the US (roughly $0.11-$0.30+/kWh) can swing your actual cost by 2x compared to the $0.16 national average used here.
Will a smaller dehumidifier save money if it's undersized?+
Not usually — an undersized unit runs constantly trying to reach setpoint and never gets there, often costing about the same or more than a properly sized unit.
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.