How much does it cost to run a whole-home dehumidifier?
A whole-home dehumidifier costs about 4.4¢ per hour, $1.06 a day, $32.20 a month and $193 a year at typical use (24 hours a day for 6 months a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Ducted and crawl-space dehumidifiers remove 70-130 pints a day at 550-900 W, and are about twice as efficient per pint as portable units.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crawl space (70 pint) | 550 | 3.5¢ | 83¢ | $25.30 | $152 |
| Whole-home (90-100 pint) | 700 | 4.4¢ | $1.06 | $32.20 | $193 |
| Large whole-home (130 pint) | 900 | 5.7¢ | $1.36 | $41.40 | $248 |
At 24 hours a day for 6 months a year and 17.99¢/kWh.
Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.24 | 4.4¢ | $1.34 | $16 |
| 2 hours | 0.49 | 8.8¢ | $2.68 | $32 |
| 4 hours | 0.98 | 18¢ | $5.37 | $64 |
| 8 hours | 1.96 | 35¢ | $10.73 | $129 |
| 12 hours | 2.94 | 53¢ | $16.10 | $193 |
| 24 hours | 5.88 | $1.06 | $32.20 | $386 |
Cost to run a whole-home dehumidifier in every state
The same whole-home dehumidifier costs $132 a year in North Dakota and $467 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | 3.0¢ | $22.05 | $132 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 3.1¢ | $22.64 | $136 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 3.2¢ | $23.02 | $138 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 3.2¢ | $23.25 | $139 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 3.3¢ | $23.84 | $143 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 3.3¢ | $23.91 | $143 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 3.3¢ | $24.04 | $144 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 3.3¢ | $24.27 | $146 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 3.4¢ | $24.52 | $147 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 3.4¢ | $24.77 | $149 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 3.4¢ | $24.91 | $149 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 3.4¢ | $24.97 | $150 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 3.4¢ | $25.07 | $150 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 3.5¢ | $25.27 | $152 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 3.5¢ | $25.29 | $152 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 3.5¢ | $25.41 | $152 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 3.6¢ | $26.43 | $159 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 3.6¢ | $26.43 | $159 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 3.7¢ | $27.01 | $162 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 3.7¢ | $27.06 | $162 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 3.8¢ | $27.42 | $165 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 3.8¢ | $27.54 | $165 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 3.8¢ | $27.56 | $165 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 3.8¢ | $27.70 | $166 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 3.8¢ | $27.74 | $166 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 3.8¢ | $27.99 | $168 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 3.9¢ | $28.56 | $171 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 4.0¢ | $29.03 | $174 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 4.0¢ | $29.42 | $177 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 4.0¢ | $29.49 | $177 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 4.1¢ | $29.67 | $178 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 4.2¢ | $30.32 | $182 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 4.4¢ | $31.84 | $191 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 4.5¢ | $32.66 | $196 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 4.6¢ | $33.54 | $201 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 4.6¢ | $33.63 | $202 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 5.1¢ | $37.05 | $222 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 5.2¢ | $37.64 | $226 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 5.2¢ | $37.67 | $226 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 5.8¢ | $42.56 | $255 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 5.8¢ | $42.60 | $256 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 5.9¢ | $43.31 | $260 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 6.5¢ | $47.73 | $286 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 6.6¢ | $48.05 | $288 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 6.9¢ | $50.09 | $301 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 7.0¢ | $50.81 | $305 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 7.2¢ | $52.39 | $314 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 7.2¢ | $52.46 | $315 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 7.5¢ | $54.46 | $327 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 8.1¢ | $59.04 | $354 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 11¢ | $77.87 | $467 |
How to cut the cost
- Set the control to 50-55% relative humidity.
- Seal crawl space vents and lay a vapor barrier; it can halve the moisture load.
- Replace the MERV filter every 6-12 months.
- Fix gutters and grading that send water toward the foundation.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Stops ground moisture so the dehumidifier runs far less.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whole-home dehumidifier | 700 | 24 hours a day for 6 months a year | $32.20 | $193 |
| Dehumidifier | 500 | 24 hours a day for 6 months a year | $26.28 | $158 |
| Central air conditioner | 3,500 | 12 hours a day for 5 months a year | $103 | $517 |
| Radon fan | 70 | 24 hours a day | $9.20 | $110 |
| Attic fan | 300 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $9.20 | $46 |
| Whole house fan | 300 | 5 hours a day for 5 months a year | $8.21 | $41 |
| Warm mist humidifier | 300 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $9.20 | $46 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a whole-home dehumidifier per hour?
A whole-home dehumidifier drawing 700 watts uses 0.24 kWh per hour while running (35% duty cycle). At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 4.4¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 3.0¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 11¢.
How much does it cost to run a whole-home dehumidifier per month?
At typical use (24 hours a day for 6 months a year), a whole-home dehumidifier costs about $32.20 a month while in use and $193 a year over the 6 months it's typically used, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does a whole-home dehumidifier use?
Most whole-home dehumidifiers use 400 to 1,000 watts, depending on the setting (crawl space (70 pint) 550 W, whole-home (90-100 pint) 700 W, large whole-home (130 pint) 900 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a whole-home dehumidifier use?
About 5.88 kWh a day and 1,074 kWh a year at typical use (24 hours a day for 6 months a year).
Does a whole-home dehumidifier use a lot of electricity?
It's a moderate load: 1,074 kWh a year is about 10% of the average U.S. home's yearly use.
Is it cheaper to run a whole-home dehumidifier or a dehumidifier?
At typical use, a whole-home dehumidifier costs about $193 a year versus $158 for a dehumidifier. So the dehumidifier is cheaper by about $35 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a whole-home dehumidifier?
- Set the control to 50-55% relative humidity.
- Seal crawl space vents and lay a vapor barrier; it can halve the moisture load.
- Replace the MERV filter every 6-12 months.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.