Dehumidifiers require 0.427 kWh of electricity per hour on average.
The most typical quantity of electricity used by dehumidifiers is 0.548 kWh per hour.
Dehumidifiers use 0.23 kWh to 0.983 kWh of electricity per hour on average.
Dehumidifiers that are ENERGY STAR certified utilize between 0.23 and 0.548 kWh of electricity per hour.
How much electricity dehumidifiers use per day
Dehumidifiers consume between 5.52 and 23.6 kWh of electricity per day, with 13.14 kWh being the most typical.
Dehumidifiers that are ENERGY STAR certified utilize between 5.52 and 13.14 kWh of electricity each day.
Dehumidifier electricity usage per month
Dehumidifiers utilize 307.2 kWh of electricity per month on average, assuming 30 days of continuous use.
The average monthly electricity consumption of a dehumidifier is 394.2 kWh.
Is this, however, a lot? Let’s take a look at how and where dehumidifiers use electricity first.
Dehumidifier energy use
When dehumidifiers are in use, they consume varying quantities of energy. When eliminating moisture from the air, they cycle through various stages, activating various components.
The quantity of energy used by the refrigeration coil, fan, compressor, and standby mode varies.
The humidity level in a room has an impact on energy use as well.
The more power is utilized, the higher the humidity.
The hourly, daily, and monthly electricity usage estimates stated above require continuous usage over a 24 hour period in order to provide realistic energy usage evaluations.
The figures are based on 573 dehumidifiers’ electricity usage. For the majority of dehumidifiers, ENERGY STAR provided IEF (L/kWh) and daily capacity (more on these below). Older models as well as the best-selling ones are covered.
Let’s put the consumption of dehumidifiers into context now that we know where they utilize energy and how much electricity they use.
How much does a dehumidifier cost to operate all day?
Electricity expenses for dehumidifiers range from 3 cents to 15 cents per hour. 8 cents is the most typical hourly rate.
The power consumption was calculated using data from 573 dehumidifiers. Visit Dehumidifier Wattage & Most Efficient Revealed for more information about dehumidifier power consumption.
The hourly cost is calculated using the daily operating costs for accuracy. So, let’s have a look at how much it costs to run a dehumidifier for a day.
How much does it cost to run a dehumidifier 24 hours a day
A dehumidifier can cost anywhere from $0.83 to $3.54 per day to run, with $1.97 being the most common price.
Dehumidifiers that are older and less efficient tend to use a lot of electricity. The coils, compressors, and fans in their refrigerators are not as efficient as those in modern models.
This leads to higher daily operating costs, which can add up quickly over time.
Cost to run a dehumidifier per month
The monthly cost of running a dehumidifier ranges from $24.84 for the most efficient model to $106.20 for older inefficient versions.
Cost to run energy efficient dehumidifiers
The cost of running an energy efficient dehumidifier ranges from $0.83 to $1.97 per day, with an average of $1.54.
This is based on 502 ENERGY STAR certified dehumidifiers’ IEF (L/kWh) and daily capacity.
The cost per hour, cost per week, and cost per month to run 14 energy efficient dehumidifiers are listed in the table below.
This table also shows the dehumidifiers’ sq. ft. coverage, as well as whether they’re ENERGY STAR certified and have earned the coveted “ENERGY STAR Most Efficient” certification. If you want additional information on individual dehumidifiers, there are also links to Amazon.
The operating costs are calculated at 15 cents per kWh and assume that the appliance is used 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Cost to run the most energy efficient dehumidifier
The most energy efficient dehumidifier (the 50 pint Midea Cubesee more, including pricing, on Amazon, here) costs 8 cents per hour, $1.80 per day, and $54.14 per month to run. The same type, but with a pump, may be found here).
Because of its IEF (L/kWh) and innovative features, the 50 Pint Media Cube is considered the most energy efficient. More information about the most energy efficient dehumidifier may be found here.
While it has the “ENERGY STAR Most Efficient” badge, it does not use the least amount of electricity among the energy efficient dehumidifiers on the short list.
The 20 Pint Media Cube is the most energy efficient dehumidifier on the market, costing just over 3 cents per hour, 84 cents per day, and $25.10 per month to run.
In comparison to its greater capacity counterpart, this model is suited for smaller rooms.
Amazon’s #1 best seller, which costs just 1 cent more per hour and has a more classic dehumidifier style, also made the shortlist of energy efficient dehumidifiers. Here’s a link to Amazon’s best seller.
Visit Dehumidifier Wattage & Most Efficient Revealed to learn more about dehumidifier energy efficiency, including why the most energy efficient model uses more electricity than others.
So now that we know how much it costs to run a dehumidifier, let’s put it in context by examining the impact on power bills and comparing the expenses to those of other typical household appliances.
Are dehumidifiers expensive to run
While the hourly operating cost (6 cents on average) may not appear to be significant, the expenditures accumulate over time.
Dehumidifiers are frequently used for long periods of time, running for days or even months at a time.
Dehumidifiers can add $46.07 to your electricity bill if left running constantly for 30 days.
Dehumidifiers can add a stunning 40% to your monthly electricity price, according to eia.gov, when compared to the average US electricity bill of $115.
If you run a dehumidifier for 8 hours per day for 30 days, your electricity bill will increase by $15.36, or 13%.
Let’s put things into perspective by comparing the average daily cost of running a dehumidifier to the cost of running other typical household equipment.
The average daily cost of running a dehumidifier (i.e. $1.54) is equal to:
Will a dehumidifier help me save money on my power bill?
Heat is the summer’s worst enemy when it comes to comfort. Humidity, on the other hand, is a close second. High temperatures can be made tolerable on a dry day. When the moisture content in the air rises, though, it prevents your body from sweating adequately, making you feel hotter than the actual temperature.
The installation of a whole-house dehumidifier is one technique to combat humidity during the summer months. Dehumidifiers do more than make a home feel more comfortable; they also save money in a variety of ways.
Installing a whole-house dehumidifier necessitates the assistance of an indoor air quality specialist who can assess your needs and appropriately integrate the dehumidifier into your HVAC system.
Air Mechanical, Inc.’s skilled indoor air quality team will help you choose and install a whole-house dehumidifier in Ham Lake, MN.
How a dehumidifier saves you money
When you turn on a dehumidifier, it will instantly begin to lower your utility bills. You won’t need to run the air conditioner as much because your home will seem cooler with less moisture in the air. Reduced stress on your air conditioner implies fewer service needs and a system with a significantly longer lifespan, in addition to lower electricity expenses. What better way to save money in the long run than to extend the life of your air conditioner before it needs to be replaced?
Don’t be concerned about the additional electricity required to run the dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers consume a fraction of the energy that an air conditioner does. (A central air conditioner runs on 220 volts, while a dehumidifier runs on 100 volts.) If you can reduce your air conditioning use by just one hour per day due to the dehumidifier’s activity, you’ll save roughly $20 per day… and you’ll probably be able to lower it even more.
By absorbing moisture onto the evaporator coils, air conditioning systems help to reduce humidity. Air conditioners, on the other hand, are not designed to control humidity and have minimal effect at humidity levels above 50%. If your home suffers from excessive humidity, investing in a whole-house dehumidifier to supplement your air conditioner is a good choice.
Other benefits of a dehumidifier include less moisture damage to furnishings, reduced mold and mildew growth, and enhanced health, all of which save you money in indirect but substantial ways.
If humidity is making your summer miserable, or if you’ve discovered moisture damage in your home, a whole-house dehumidifier should be installed in Ham Lake, MN. Call Air Mechanical, Inc. immediately for advice and installation services that will ensure you get the best dehumidifier for your needs.
How much does it cost each month to run a dehumidifier?
Example 1 (Highest Costs): Assume we have a large, moist basement. According to the obsolete 2012 DOE standard, we install a strong 700W dehumidifier with a 70-pint capacity. By the way, a list of the best dehumidifiers can be found here.
We operate the dehumidifier 24 hours a day, 7 days a week because of the extremely high relative humidity of 90%, and we reside in an area where power costs $0.2 per kWh. It will cost us: Depending on how long we keep it on:
Monthly rent is $100.8.
In other words, running one of the most powerful dehumidifiers at maximum capacity for a month in a high-cost electricity area will cost us around $100 in electricity bills.
Example 2 (Minimum Costs): Our apartment’s air is a little humid. To make breathing a little easier, we’d want to lower the relative humidity rate.
We buy a tiny 30-pint 300W dehumidifier and run it for 8 hours every day. After 8 hours, the air will have a normal humidity level, and you can turn it off for the day. Electricity is inexpensive ($0.1 kWh). How much does it cost to run a small dehumidifier for 8 hours a day:
For less than $10 in power, you can run a modest dehumidifier for a month (8 hours each day).
Example 3 (Average Costs): The majority of households choose to purchase a typical 50-pint dehumidifier with a 500W power supply that runs for 8 hours per day. If the average price of electricity is $0.1319, a dehumidifier of this type will cost:
Monthly rent is $16.80.
As you can see, even the most powerful commercial dehumidifiers utilize very little electricity in terms of dollars. Other HVAC systems, such as air conditioners and heaters, consume several times more energy in most households.
What is the kWh consumption of a dehumidifier?
A dehumidifier’s average energy usage is 280 watts-hour, or 0.28 kilowatt-hour. Are you unsure what it means? Don’t be concerned; you’re not alone. Simply said, a kilowatt-hour (Wh) is a unit of measurement for the quantity of energy consumed over time. Your dehumidifier will use 0.28 kilowatts if you operate it for an hour.
We put up this short tutorial to help you navigate the basics like a pro if you’re interested in learning more about different energy units and what they signify for your power usage.
Is it true that a dehumidifier uses a lot of electricity?
While the wattage (483.24W on average) and hourly power usage (0.427 kWh on average) are not significant, dehumidifiers consume a significant amount of electricity due to the long duration of use.
Older dehumidifiers can consume up to 23.6 kWh per day, which is a significant amount of energy.
Dehumidifiers today are far more energy efficient, consuming as little as 5.52 kWh per day.
Let’s compare the amount of electricity a dehumidifier needs each day to the amount of electricity used by other household appliances to put dehumidifier electricity usage into perspective.
One day of use of the most energy efficient dehumidifier equates to:
Do dehumidifiers have a high operating cost?
According to the Energy Saving Trust, the national average price per pence/kWh of energy is 20.33p as of November 2021. For the sake of demonstration, we’ve rounded it up to 20p.
The wattage of a dehumidifier is the easiest way to figure out how much energy it needs at its maximum setting. Mini dehumidifiers can use as little as 22 watts, whereas high-volume ones can consume up to 500 watts.
Is running a dehumidifier less expensive than running an air conditioner?
However, this convenience comes at a cost, and many people ask if it is more cost effective to use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier. When both units are of average capacity and have typical running times, it is generally cheaper to run a dehumidifier than an air conditioner. Regardless, because each has its unique role, this does not mean you should get rid of your air conditioner and replace it with a dehumidifier.
Both air conditioners and dehumidifiers have their functions, and understanding them will keep you from preferring one over the other without reason.
On average, you can anticipate to pay the following amount on your monthly power bill:
- Depending on their size, portable dehumidifiers can cost anywhere from $25 to $350 per year. Although this isn’t the most accurate way of looking at it, it breaks down to $2 to $29 every month. In the hot and humid winter months, most dehumidifiers, like air conditioners, operate nonstop, whereas in the summer, they barely run or are even turned off.
- Your monthly electricity bill will normally increase by $80 to $125 if you have central air conditioning.
- Electricity costs for mini-split air conditioners with an average capacity (about 12,000 to 20,000 BTU) range from $35 to $50 per month. Portable or window air conditioners with equivalent BTU capabilities should cost around half as much.
Let’s look at the similarities and differences between your air conditioner and dehumidifier now that you know the pricing.
What in a house consumes the most electricity?
The breakdown of energy use in a typical home is depicted in today’s infographic from Connect4Climate.
It displays the average annual cost of various appliances as well as the appliances that consume the most energy over the course of the year.
Modern convenience comes at a cost, and keeping all those air conditioners, freezers, chargers, and water heaters running is the third-largest energy demand in the US.
Here are the things in your house that consume the most energy:
- Cooling and heating account for 47% of total energy consumption.
- Water heater consumes 14% of total energy.
- 13 percent of energy is used by the washer and dryer.
- Lighting accounts for 12% of total energy use.
- Refrigerator: 4% of total energy consumption
- Electric oven: 34% energy consumption
- TV, DVD, and cable box: 3% of total energy consumption
- Dishwasher: 2% of total energy consumption
- Computer: 1% of total energy consumption
One of the simplest ways to save energy and money is to eliminate waste. Turn off “vampire electronics,” or devices that continue to draw power even when switched off. DVRs, laptop computers, printers, DVD players, central heating furnaces, routers and modems, phones, gaming consoles, televisions, and microwaves are all examples.
A penny saved is a cent earned, and being more energy efficient is excellent for your wallet and the environment, as Warren Buffett would undoubtedly agree.
Is it possible to run my dehumidifier 24 hours a day, seven days a week?
“How long should I leave my dehumidifier running on a daily basis?” This is a fantastic question. Everyone wants to know if they’ve had a dehumidifier for a long time or if they’ve just started using one. The best solution is to have your dehumidifier running all day.
Is it worthwhile to invest in a dehumidifier?
A dehumidifier has been shown to have various health benefits. The biggest advantage is that allergies and irritants are reduced in wet parts of your home.
There’s also some evidence that a dehumidifier can help asthma sufferers breathe easier.
Dehumidifiers are widely available and inexpensive. Giving one a shot might make a difference in the degree of comfort you have at home.