Cooling · California
How Much Does It Cost to Run a Dehumidifier in California?
The short answer
Running a 500W dehumidifier in California costs about $0.17 an hour. At 8 hours a day, that’s roughly $40.90 a month and $491 a year.
The estimate uses California’s average residential electricity price of 33.6¢/kWh from EIA (July 2026) — 84% above the national average.
Source: U.S. EIA, July 2026 data · Updated
Dehumidifier cost by daily use in California
| Daily use | kWh/month | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour/day | 15.2 | $0.17 | $5.11 | $61.34 |
| 2 hours/day | 30.4 | $0.34 | $10.22 | $123 |
| 4 hours/day | 60.8 | $0.67 | $20.45 | $245 |
| 8 hours/day | 121.7 | $1.34 | $40.90 | $491 |
| 12 hours/day | 182.5 | $2.02 | $61.34 | $736 |
| 24 hours/day | 365.0 | $4.03 | $123 | $1,472 |
California vs other states
At typical use, a dehumidifier costs $491 a year in California — $210 less than in Hawaii and $305 more than in Louisiana.
California has the 2nd-most-expensive residential electricity of the 50 states and DC. electricity prices in California · all states ranked
Electricity price trend in California
33.6¢/kWh in July 2026 — ▲ +2.9% from a year earlier.
How to lower the cost of running a dehumidifier
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.
- 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 for 24 hours in California?
Running a 500W dehumidifier for 24 hours uses about 12.0 kWh, which costs about $4.03 at California’s average rate of 33.6¢/kWh.
How many kWh does a dehumidifier use per month?
At 8 hours a day, a typical dehumidifier uses about 122 kWh a month. In California that costs $40.90.
Is it expensive to run a dehumidifier in California?
California has the 2nd-most-expensive residential electricity of the 50 states and DC at 33.6¢/kWh — one of the most expensive. Running a dehumidifier here costs about $491 a year at typical use, compared with $267 at the national average rate.
What is the electricity rate in California right now?
The average residential electricity rate in California was 33.6¢ per kWh in July 2026, according to the latest EIA data — up 2.9% from a year earlier.
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.
Dehumidifier costs in nearby states
Other appliances in California
Cheapest and priciest states
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.
- Default usage for dehumidifier: 8 hours a day. Typical power 500W.
- Formulas, duty cycles and limitations: methodology. Data download: open data (CC BY 4.0).