How Much Electricity Does a Dehumidifier Use?
So how much electricity does a dehumidifier use? A typical dehumidifier draws roughly 785 watts, putting it in a similar range to a window air conditioner. Since basements and damp rooms often need one running for several hours a day (or continuously during humid months), the cost can add up — use the calculator below with your own unit's wattage and rate for a real number.
Calculate your cost to run a dehumidifier
Enter your rate to see your estimate.
What affects how much electricity a dehumidifier uses
Capacity (measured in pints of moisture removed per day) is the main factor: a larger-capacity unit built for a bigger space or more humid conditions draws more power than a small, single-room model. How humid the air actually is matters too, since a compressor-based dehumidifier works harder, and runs longer, in more humid conditions until it reaches its target humidity setting and cycles off.
How to reduce your dehumidifier's electricity use
- Set a humidity target (usually 45-50%) instead of running it continuously on the highest setting
- Use a unit sized appropriately for the room, since an undersized one runs constantly trying to keep up
- Keep doors and windows closed in the room being dehumidified so it isn't fighting outside humidity
- Clean or replace the filter regularly, since a clogged filter reduces airflow and efficiency
Typical wattage figure: roughly 785 W (standard reference unit). Source: DOE-developed appliance energy table, reproduced by Virginia Cooperative Extension (Virginia Tech), publication BSE-301. Larger-capacity units (measured in pints removed per day) generally draw more than this reference figure. We review this figure periodically and update it if the source changes; last checked September 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How many watts does a dehumidifier use?
A standard reference dehumidifier draws roughly 785 watts, according to a DOE-developed appliance energy table reproduced by Virginia Cooperative Extension. Larger-capacity units built for bigger spaces or higher humidity generally draw more.
How much does it cost to run a dehumidifier?
A 785-watt dehumidifier run 8 hours a day at the U.S. average rate of about 16.5 cents/kWh costs roughly $1.04 a day, or about $31 a month if run daily. Use the calculator above with your own unit's wattage and rate for an exact figure.
Does a dehumidifier need to run all day?
Not usually. Most dehumidifiers have a humidistat that lets you set a target humidity level, and the unit cycles off once it reaches that target and back on when humidity rises again, rather than running continuously the entire day.
How can I reduce how much electricity my dehumidifier uses?
Set a specific humidity target instead of running it on the highest setting continuously, keep windows and doors closed in the room to reduce how much outside humidity it has to fight, and keep the filter clean so airflow isn't restricted.
This page provides estimates based on typical wattage figures and the numbers you enter. Actual electricity cost depends on your specific unit's capacity and how humid the space is.