Calculators · Cost to run
How much does it cost to run a dehumidifier?
A dehumidifier draws around 500 watts and cycles with the humidity, so a basement unit running much of a humid summer day uses roughly 4 kWh. It's modest per hour but runs a lot in July and August, which is why it quietly adds to the summer bill. Sizing it right and using a humidistat are where the savings are.
per day
$0.50
per month
$15.17
per year
$181.93
A dehumidifier uses about 4 kWh a day, costing roughly $0.50/day or $15.17/month at 12.46¢/kWh.
Runs entirely in your browser — nothing you type is sent anywhere. Estimates only; your actual bill depends on your usage and includes delivery charges on top of the supply rate.
What it costs per day, at real rates
Based on a typical unit cycling ~12 hours on a humid day (~4 kWh), priced at three of the utilities we track:
| Utility | Rate | Cost per day |
|---|---|---|
| PECO (PA) | 10.789¢/kWh | 43¢ |
| BGE (MD) | 14.609¢/kWh | 58¢ |
| ComEd (IL) | 10.399¢/kWh | 42¢ |
Supply rate only; delivery charges are extra. Use the calculator above for your own utility and usage.
Dehumidifier size and typical use
| Capacity | Suited to | Typical draw | Daily energy* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20–30 pint | Damp room | ~300 W | ~2–3 kWh |
| 35–50 pint | Basement / very damp | ~500 W | ~4–5 kWh |
| 50+ pint | Wet basement / large area | ~700 W | ~5–7 kWh |
*Cycles with humidity; energy depends on how damp the space is and the target humidity you set.
How to cut the cost
- 1
Right-size the unit
A unit too small for a wet basement runs nonstop. A correctly sized (or slightly larger) unit reaches the target and cycles off — less runtime, less energy.
- 2
Use the humidistat
Set a target humidity (around 50%) instead of running continuously. Once it's reached, the unit idles.
- 3
Seal and drain the space
Fix the source of the moisture — seal leaks, improve drainage — so the dehumidifier isn't fighting a losing battle 24/7.
- 4
Buy ENERGY STAR and clean the filter
A certified unit removes more water per kWh, and a clean filter keeps airflow up so it works efficiently.
Common questions
- How much does it cost to run a dehumidifier all day?
- A 500-watt unit cycling through a humid day uses around 4 kWh — roughly 50¢–70¢ a day, or $15–$20 a month at typical rates. Bigger units in wetter spaces cost more.
- Does a dehumidifier use a lot of electricity?
- Per hour, no — but it runs a lot in humid weather, so it adds up over a summer. Sizing it correctly and using the humidistat keep the runtime (and cost) down.
- How much does a basement dehumidifier cost per month?
- Often $15–$25 a month in peak summer humidity for a mid-size unit running much of the day. In drier months it cycles far less and costs little.
- What size dehumidifier do I need?
- A 20–30 pint unit suits a single damp room; 35–50 pint a typical basement; 50+ pint a wet basement or large area. Sizing up slightly often saves energy because the unit cycles instead of running flat-out.
If the summer bill jumped more than usage explains, your rate may have risen too.