Cooling · US average
How Much Does It Cost to Run a Dehumidifier?
The short answer
A typical 500W dehumidifier costs about $0.09 per hour to run at the US average electricity rate, or $22.28 a month at 8 hours a day.
Based on the US average residential rate of 18.3¢/kWh (EIA, July 2026). Costs range from $15.48/month in Louisiana to $58.41/month in Hawaii — pick your state below for an exact figure.
Source: U.S. EIA, July 2026 data · Updated
Dehumidifier running cost at the US average rate
| Daily use | kWh/month | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour/day | 15.2 | $0.09 | $2.78 | $33.42 |
| 2 hours/day | 30.4 | $0.18 | $5.57 | $66.83 |
| 4 hours/day | 60.8 | $0.37 | $11.14 | $134 |
| 8 hours/day | 121.7 | $0.73 | $22.28 | $267 |
| 12 hours/day | 182.5 | $1.10 | $33.42 | $401 |
| 24 hours/day | 365.0 | $2.20 | $66.84 | $802 |
Cost to run a dehumidifier in every state
At 8 hours a day and each state’s average residential rate. Select a state for its full breakdown.
| Alabama | 16.4¢ | $0.08 | $19.96 | $239 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 28.8¢ | $0.14 | $35.08 | $421 |
| Arizona | 15.4¢ | $0.08 | $18.71 | $225 |
| Arkansas | 14.3¢ | $0.07 | $17.44 | $209 |
| California | 33.6¢ | $0.17 | $40.90 | $491 |
| Colorado | 17.0¢ | $0.09 | $20.69 | $248 |
| Connecticut | 24.2¢ | $0.12 | $29.40 | $353 |
| Delaware | 18.5¢ | $0.09 | $22.49 | $270 |
| District of Columbia | 25.2¢ | $0.13 | $30.68 | $368 |
| Florida | 15.0¢ | $0.08 | $18.29 | $219 |
| Georgia | 16.3¢ | $0.08 | $19.80 | $238 |
| Hawaii | 48.0¢ | $0.24 | $58.41 | $701 |
| Idaho | 13.7¢ | $0.07 | $16.71 | $200 |
| Illinois | 19.2¢ | $0.10 | $23.39 | $281 |
| Indiana | 16.7¢ | $0.08 | $20.36 | $244 |
| Iowa | 16.0¢ | $0.08 | $19.46 | $233 |
| Kansas | 15.3¢ | $0.08 | $18.58 | $223 |
| Kentucky | 13.8¢ | $0.07 | $16.80 | $202 |
| Louisiana | 12.7¢ | $0.06 | $15.48 | $186 |
| Maine | 32.4¢ | $0.16 | $39.44 | $473 |
| Maryland | 21.4¢ | $0.11 | $26.05 | $313 |
| Massachusetts | 30.5¢ | $0.15 | $37.10 | $445 |
| Michigan | 23.1¢ | $0.12 | $28.05 | $337 |
| Minnesota | 17.5¢ | $0.09 | $21.23 | $255 |
| Mississippi | 14.5¢ | $0.07 | $17.69 | $212 |
| Missouri | 16.1¢ | $0.08 | $19.58 | $235 |
| Montana | 15.0¢ | $0.07 | $18.24 | $219 |
| Nebraska | 13.8¢ | $0.07 | $16.77 | $201 |
| Nevada | 12.8¢ | $0.06 | $15.54 | $186 |
| New Hampshire | 26.6¢ | $0.13 | $32.37 | $388 |
| New Jersey | 25.2¢ | $0.13 | $30.65 | $368 |
| New Mexico | 16.1¢ | $0.08 | $19.58 | $235 |
| New York | 29.9¢ | $0.15 | $36.38 | $437 |
| North Carolina | 15.2¢ | $0.08 | $18.45 | $221 |
| North Dakota | 13.4¢ | $0.07 | $16.32 | $196 |
| Ohio | 19.5¢ | $0.10 | $23.67 | $284 |
| Oklahoma | 14.4¢ | $0.07 | $17.46 | $210 |
| Oregon | 16.0¢ | $0.08 | $19.43 | $233 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.7¢ | $0.11 | $26.43 | $317 |
| Rhode Island | 28.3¢ | $0.14 | $34.42 | $413 |
| South Carolina | 15.5¢ | $0.08 | $18.82 | $226 |
| South Dakota | 15.4¢ | $0.08 | $18.70 | $224 |
| Tennessee | 13.7¢ | $0.07 | $16.68 | $200 |
| Texas | 15.9¢ | $0.08 | $19.32 | $232 |
| Utah | 13.1¢ | $0.07 | $15.96 | $192 |
| Vermont | 23.8¢ | $0.12 | $28.90 | $347 |
| Virginia | 17.6¢ | $0.09 | $21.35 | $256 |
| Washington | 14.7¢ | $0.07 | $17.90 | $215 |
| West Virginia | 15.8¢ | $0.08 | $19.20 | $230 |
| Wisconsin | 19.1¢ | $0.10 | $23.19 | $278 |
| Wyoming | 14.4¢ | $0.07 | $17.47 | $210 |
How much electricity does a dehumidifier use?
A typical 35–50 pint dehumidifier draws about 500W while running.
Dehumidifiers work like small air conditioners, using a compressor to condense moisture out of the air. Most home units draw 300–700W depending on capacity, and the humidistat switches the compressor off once the room reaches the target humidity. Basements in humid climates may need several hours a day in summer. ENERGY STAR models remove noticeably more water per kWh.
Ways to cut the cost
- Set the humidistat to 45–50% — lower settings make it run much longer for little benefit.
- Keep doors and windows closed in the room being dehumidified.
- Clean the filter and coils regularly so the compressor works efficiently.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a dehumidifier per month?
At 8 hours a day, a typical dehumidifier costs about $22.28 a month at the US average rate of 18.3¢/kWh. Depending on your state, the same usage costs between $15.48 and $58.41.
How many watts does a dehumidifier use?
Dehumidifiers typically draw 300W–700W, with 500W a common figure. A typical 35–50 pint dehumidifier draws about 500W while running.
Which state is cheapest to run a dehumidifier in?
Louisiana is currently the cheapest at about $186 a year for typical use, and Hawaii the most expensive at about $701 a year.
Should I run my dehumidifier 24 hours a day?
Usually not. Set the humidistat to 45–50% and let it cycle on its own; it will only run as long as needed to hold that level.
Related appliances
Sources & method
- Electricity rates: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly — average residential retail price, July 2026 (latest available). Retrieved .
- CO₂: EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024 emissions rate of in-state power generation.
- Formulas, duty cycles and limitations: methodology. Data download: open data (CC BY 4.0).