How much does it cost to run a dehumidifier?
Short answer: A dehumidifier drawing 500 watts costs about $0.09 per hour at the U.S. average residential price of 18.31¢ per kWh. Used 12 hours a day, 30 days a month, that is about $32.96 per month and $395.50 per year. In Louisiana, the cheapest state, the same use costs $22.90 a month; in Hawaii, the most expensive, $86.40.
Dehumidifier cost calculator
Hours the compressor is running. In a damp basement in summer a dehumidifier can run 12 hours a day or more.
Energy used: 180.0 kWh per month. Default price is the U.S. residential average; pick your state or type the price from your own bill.
A dehumidifier looks harmless next to an air conditioner, but it often runs for many more hours. A typical 50-pint basement unit draws around 500 watts and, in a humid summer, can be running half the day.
Cost by size and setting
Costs below use the U.S. average price and 12 hours a day, 30 days a month.
| Type | Power | Per hour | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22-pint (small) | 300 W | $0.05 | $19.77 |
| 35-pint (medium) | 420 W | $0.08 | $27.68 |
| 50-pint (large) | 550 W | $0.10 | $36.25 |
Why the run time surprises people
A dehumidifier does not stop when the room feels comfortable. It stops when the humidity sensor reads below the set point. In a basement with moisture coming through the walls or floor, that may never happen, and the unit runs continuously.
Setting the target to 50 percent relative humidity instead of 35 percent is usually enough to prevent mold and musty smells and can cut run time dramatically. Below about 40 percent you are paying to remove moisture that was doing no harm.
Efficiency ratings
Dehumidifiers are rated by Integrated Energy Factor, in liters of water removed per kWh. An ENERGY STAR model removes the same amount of moisture using noticeably less electricity than an uncertified one, which matters for an appliance that can run thousands of hours a year.
How to lower the cost
- Set the humidistat to 45–50 percent, not the lowest setting.
- Fix the moisture source: extend downspouts, seal the dryer vent, cover a dirt crawl space.
- Keep doors and windows to the space closed so it is not drying outdoor air.
- Clean the filter and coils so air moves freely.
Cost to run a dehumidifier in every state
Based on 500 watts for 12 hours a day, 30 days a month, at each state's average residential electricity price for July 2026.
| State | Price per kWh | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 16.40¢ | $0.08 | $29.52 | $354.24 |
| Alaska | 28.83¢ | $0.14 | $51.89 | $622.73 |
| Arizona | 15.38¢ | $0.08 | $27.68 | $332.21 |
| Arkansas | 14.33¢ | $0.07 | $25.79 | $309.53 |
| California | 33.61¢ | $0.17 | $60.50 | $725.98 |
| Colorado | 17.00¢ | $0.09 | $30.60 | $367.20 |
| Connecticut | 24.16¢ | $0.12 | $43.49 | $521.86 |
| Delaware | 18.48¢ | $0.09 | $33.26 | $399.17 |
| District of Columbia | 25.21¢ | $0.13 | $45.38 | $544.54 |
| Florida | 15.03¢ | $0.08 | $27.05 | $324.65 |
| Georgia | 16.27¢ | $0.08 | $29.29 | $351.43 |
| Hawaii | 48.00¢ | $0.24 | $86.40 | $1,037 |
| Idaho | 13.73¢ | $0.07 | $24.71 | $296.57 |
| Illinois | 19.22¢ | $0.10 | $34.60 | $415.15 |
| Indiana | 16.73¢ | $0.08 | $30.11 | $361.37 |
| Iowa | 15.99¢ | $0.08 | $28.78 | $345.38 |
| Kansas | 15.27¢ | $0.08 | $27.49 | $329.83 |
| Kentucky | 13.81¢ | $0.07 | $24.86 | $298.30 |
| Louisiana | 12.72¢ | $0.06 | $22.90 | $274.75 |
| Maine | 32.41¢ | $0.16 | $58.34 | $700.06 |
| Maryland | 21.41¢ | $0.11 | $38.54 | $462.46 |
| Massachusetts | 30.49¢ | $0.15 | $54.88 | $658.58 |
| Michigan | 23.05¢ | $0.12 | $41.49 | $497.88 |
| Minnesota | 17.45¢ | $0.09 | $31.41 | $376.92 |
| Mississippi | 14.54¢ | $0.07 | $26.17 | $314.06 |
| Missouri | 16.09¢ | $0.08 | $28.96 | $347.54 |
| Montana | 14.99¢ | $0.07 | $26.98 | $323.78 |
| Nebraska | 13.78¢ | $0.07 | $24.80 | $297.65 |
| Nevada | 12.77¢ | $0.06 | $22.99 | $275.83 |
| New Hampshire | 26.60¢ | $0.13 | $47.88 | $574.56 |
| New Jersey | 25.19¢ | $0.13 | $45.34 | $544.10 |
| New Mexico | 16.09¢ | $0.08 | $28.96 | $347.54 |
| New York | 29.90¢ | $0.15 | $53.82 | $645.84 |
| North Carolina | 15.16¢ | $0.08 | $27.29 | $327.46 |
| North Dakota | 13.41¢ | $0.07 | $24.14 | $289.66 |
| Ohio | 19.45¢ | $0.10 | $35.01 | $420.12 |
| Oklahoma | 14.35¢ | $0.07 | $25.83 | $309.96 |
| Oregon | 15.97¢ | $0.08 | $28.75 | $344.95 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.72¢ | $0.11 | $39.10 | $469.15 |
| Rhode Island | 28.29¢ | $0.14 | $50.92 | $611.06 |
| South Carolina | 15.47¢ | $0.08 | $27.85 | $334.15 |
| South Dakota | 15.37¢ | $0.08 | $27.67 | $331.99 |
| Tennessee | 13.71¢ | $0.07 | $24.68 | $296.14 |
| Texas | 15.88¢ | $0.08 | $28.58 | $343.01 |
| Utah | 13.12¢ | $0.07 | $23.62 | $283.39 |
| Vermont | 23.75¢ | $0.12 | $42.75 | $513.00 |
| Virginia | 17.55¢ | $0.09 | $31.59 | $379.08 |
| Washington | 14.71¢ | $0.07 | $26.48 | $317.74 |
| West Virginia | 15.78¢ | $0.08 | $28.40 | $340.85 |
| Wisconsin | 19.06¢ | $0.10 | $34.31 | $411.70 |
| Wyoming | 14.36¢ | $0.07 | $25.85 | $310.18 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a dehumidifier 24 hours a day?
A 500-watt unit running non-stop uses 12 kWh a day, about $2.20 at the U.S. average price.
Does a dehumidifier use more electricity than an air conditioner?
Per hour it uses less than most air conditioners, but it often runs more hours, so the monthly cost can be similar to a small window unit.
Should I run a dehumidifier in winter?
Usually not in a cold basement. Most compressor dehumidifiers work poorly below about 60°F and cold air already holds little moisture.