How Much Does It Cost to Run a Dehumidifier?
A mid-size 50-pint dehumidifier (about 500 watts) running 8 hours a day at a 65% duty cycle costs roughly $0.52 per day, or about $15.60 per month, at the U.S. average electricity rate of 13¢/kWh. That's noticeably cheaper than running an air conditioner or space heater, but it adds up over a humid summer if you run it around the clock in a basement or crawl space.
The duty cycle matters more for dehumidifiers than for most appliances. Once the humidistat hits your target level (usually 45–50% relative humidity), the compressor shuts off and only the fan may keep running at low draw. In a very damp basement the compressor might run close to 90% of the time; in a moderately humid living room it might only run 40–50% of the time. That's why two identical dehumidifiers in different rooms can have very different real-world electricity bills.
Dehumidifier Cost by Size
Estimated monthly cost running 8 hours/day at a 65% duty cycle, at 13¢/kWh:
- 20–30 pint (small, ~200W): ~$0.21/day · ~$6.24/month
- 30–35 pint (compact, ~300W): ~$0.31/day · ~$9.36/month
- 50 pint (mid-size, ~500W): ~$0.52/day · ~$15.60/month
- 70 pint (large, ~700W): ~$0.73/day · ~$21.84/month
What Affects Dehumidifier Running Cost
- Room humidity level: A very damp basement forces the compressor to run far more often than a moderately humid bedroom, directly increasing electricity use even with the same-size unit.
- Energy Factor (EF) rating: ENERGY STAR-certified dehumidifiers remove about 15% more water per kWh than standard models, lowering cost for the same moisture removal.
- Target humidity setting: Setting the humidistat to 55% instead of 40% means the compressor cycles off sooner, cutting runtime and cost.
- Room size and sealing: An undersized unit in a large or poorly sealed space runs almost continuously trying to keep up, which is both less effective and more expensive than sizing up.
- Climate and season: Humid summer months drive up runtime far more than winter, when indoor air is typically drier.
Dehumidifier vs. Other Appliances: Cost Comparison
At the same 8 hours/day usage and 13¢/kWh rate, a 500W dehumidifier running at a realistic duty cycle costs less per month than a window AC unit or space heater, but more than a refrigerator. If you're deciding whether basement dampness is worth addressing with a dehumidifier versus tackling it structurally (better drainage, sealing, ventilation), the running cost of a mid-size unit ($15–20/month in season) is usually far cheaper than the cost of mold remediation or water damage from unmanaged humidity.
Tips to Lower Dehumidifier Running Cost
- Right-size the unit to the room. An undersized dehumidifier runs constantly and still may not keep up; oversized units short-cycle inefficiently. Match pint capacity to square footage and dampness level.
- Set a reasonable target humidity. 45–50% is comfortable for most homes and prevents mold without over-drying the air, which wastes energy.
- Seal the space. Close windows and doors while running — outside humid air constantly entering forces the unit to work harder.
- Clean the filter and coils regularly. A dirty filter restricts airflow and can increase runtime by 10–20% for the same moisture removal.
- Use a continuous drain hose instead of the bucket if your model supports it — some units pause when the bucket is full, so a hose keeps it running efficiently without you needing to empty it.
- Choose an ENERGY STAR model when replacing an old unit — the efficiency gain compounds over years of seasonal use.
For related running-cost calculators, see our Appliance Energy Cost Calculator or check out how humidity affects your heating and cooling costs.