Cooling · Hawaii
How Much Does It Cost to Run a Dehumidifier in Hawaii?
The short answer
A typical 500W dehumidifier costs about $0.24 per hour to run in Hawaii, or $58.41 a month at 8 hours a day.
The estimate uses Hawaii’s average residential electricity price of 48.0¢/kWh from EIA (July 2026) — 162% above the national average.
Source: U.S. EIA, July 2026 data · Updated
Dehumidifier cost by daily use in Hawaii
| Daily use | kWh/month | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour/day | 15.2 | $0.24 | $7.30 | $87.60 |
| 2 hours/day | 30.4 | $0.48 | $14.60 | $175 |
| 4 hours/day | 60.8 | $0.96 | $29.20 | $350 |
| 8 hours/day | 121.7 | $1.92 | $58.41 | $701 |
| 12 hours/day | 182.5 | $2.88 | $87.61 | $1,051 |
| 24 hours/day | 365.0 | $5.76 | $175 | $2,102 |
Hawaii vs other states
Hawaii has the most expensive electricity in the country, so running a dehumidifier here costs $515 more a year than in Louisiana at the same usage.
Hawaii has the most expensive residential electricity of the 50 states and DC. Hawaii electricity rates · all states ranked
Electricity price trend in Hawaii
48.0¢/kWh in July 2026 — ▲ +22.0% 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 Hawaii?
Running a 500W dehumidifier for 24 hours uses about 12.0 kWh, which costs about $5.76 at Hawaii’s average rate of 48.0¢/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 Hawaii that costs $58.41.
Is it expensive to run a dehumidifier in Hawaii?
Hawaii has the most expensive residential electricity of the 50 states and DC at 48.0¢/kWh — one of the most expensive. Running a dehumidifier here costs about $701 a year at typical use, compared with $267 at the national average rate.
What is the electricity rate in Hawaii right now?
The average residential electricity rate in Hawaii was 48.0¢ per kWh in July 2026, according to the latest EIA data — up 22.0% 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 Hawaii
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).