Radon fan vs. dehumidifier: running cost
A radon fan is cheaper to run: about $110 a year versus $158 for a dehumidifier at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $47 difference.
| Radon fan | Dehumidifier | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 70 W | 500 W |
| Watt range | 20–150 W | 250–750 W |
| Typical use | 24 hours a day | 24 hours a day for 6 months a year |
| Energy per year | 614 kWh | 877 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 1.3¢ | 3.6¢ |
| Cost per day | 30¢ | 86¢ |
| Cost per month | $9.20 | $26.28 |
| Cost per year | $110 | $158 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $267 | $381 |
Compare at your rate and settings
What drives the difference
- Radon fan: Radon mitigation fans run 24/7 and typically draw 20-150 W, or roughly 175-1,300 kWh a year.
- Dehumidifier: A 50-pint dehumidifier draws about 450-550 W while the compressor runs; the humidistat cycles it, so defaults give about 880 kWh over a humid season.
Ways to cut either cost
Radon detector
Confirms whether a lower-wattage fan still keeps radon below 4 pCi/L.
See options on Amazon ENERGY STAR dehumidifier
Removes more moisture per kWh than older units.
See options on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. It never changes the numbers we show. Disclosure.
Frequently asked questions
Which costs more to run, a radon fan or a dehumidifier?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), a dehumidifier costs about $158 a year versus $110 for a radon fan. That's $47 more, or 1.4× as much.
How many watts do radon fan and dehumidifier use?
A radon fan typically draws 70 W (range 20–150 W). A dehumidifier draws 500 W (range 250–750 W). Watts alone don't decide cost. Hours of use, cycling and standby matter just as much.
Rates: EIA, 12 months ending 2026-07. Methodology.