Whether you already own a dehumidifier or are thinking of buying one, it's important to understand how much it costs to run so you understand the impact it can have on your energy bills.
The best dehumidifiers see a surge in popularity over autumn and winter as households battle to keep damp and condensation at bay. But while these appliances are priceless in terms of perks, they do run on electricity, which could impact your attempts to save energy at home.
We've worked out exactly how much it costs to run a dehumidifier based on the current energy price cap, what factors affect the cost, and how you can use them most efficiently to keep the cost low.
How much does it cost to run a dehumidifier?
As of January 2026, you can expect to pay between 1p and 17p per hour to run a dehumidifier. That's based on the current energy price cap figure of 27.69p/kWh (kilowatt hours) of electricity, which is in place until the end of March 2026.
The exact cost to run a dehumidifier will depend on the wattage and power setting you choose, but we've highlighted a few of the specific models we've tested and how much they cost to run so that you can get an idea of what kind of extraction rate you can achieve based on the different wattages.
- At the cheaper end of the running costs scale, a mini dehumidifier like the Pro Breeze 1500ml Mini Dehumidifier (£39.99 at Amazon) we tested, has an extraction rate of 500ml per day, and a wattage of 40W, which means it costs around 1p per hour to run.
- The top pick in our buying guide, the Meaco Arete 2 dehumidifier and air purifier (£179.99 at Meaco) with an extraction rate of 20L per day, has a wattage of 207W and will cost just under 6p per hour to run.
- At the top end, like the powerful 600W Pro Breeze 30L High Capacity Smart Dehumidifier (£119.99 at Amazon), you can expect to pay closer to 17p per hour to extract up to 30L of moisture per day.
To help you compare the best dehumidifiers, we've listed our top picks based on in-house testing, with their wattage, extraction rates and running costs (which have been rounded up to the nearest full penny).
Dehumidifier |
Wattage |
Extraction rate (per day) |
Hourly running costs (January-March 2026) |
207W |
20L |
6p |
|
175W |
12L |
5p |
|
300-580W |
7.5L |
8-16p |
|
440W |
20L |
12p |
|
600W |
30L |
17p |
|
40W |
0.5L |
1p |
If you want to work out the running costs of a specific dehumidifier, you will need to find out it's wattage (which should be listing in the instructions or you'll be able to look it up online). If the figure is in watts (W), you need to divide it by 1,000 to convert it to kilowatts (kW)
For example, if it is 600W, you divide it by 1,000, which gives you 0.6kW.
You then multiply that kW figure, by how much you pay for each kWh of electricity you use. You will be able to find this exact figure on your latest energy bill or you can use the current energy price cap figure of 27.69p/kWh.
And so if we multiply 0.6kW by 27.69p we get 16.61, which means it'll cost 16.61p to run that dehumidifier for one hour.
While you might dread the thought of yet another appliance adding to your bills, remember that dehumidifiers are typically seasonal appliances. Most models rarely run constantly, as they’re controlled via the humidistat, which turns them on and off when needed, which is great from an energy-saving perspective.
‘Remember that you’re more likely to use your dehumidifier during the winter,’ says Chris Michael, Director at Meaco (UK). ‘The wattage that a dehumidifier uses is turned into heat, so you get a dual benefit – less condensation on the windows, less chill in the air, and the space feels warmer.’
If the space is feeling warmer, you may find you can turn your thermostat down a degree or two, which means you'll use less energy.
What can affect the cost of running a dehumidifier?
There are a few different factors that can impact how much it costs to run a dehumidifier — some of which will be within your control and others won't.
These include:
- The wattage of the dehumidifier. The more powerful the dehumidifier, the more expensive it will be to run. But remember you may not need to run it for as long, so don't discount a more powerful model if you are trying to tackle serious humidity issues or if you want to use it in a large room.
- The type of dehumidifier. Dessicant dehumidifiers, which use an absorbent material like silica gel to remove moisture, tend to use more energy than compressor versions, which extract warm air, run it over cold coils to condense the moisture so it can be collected in a tank and then removed.
- Whether it is controlled by a humidistat or not. Many models are controlled by a humidistat, like a thermostat, but it measures the humidity in the air), which means they turn on only when they are needed. But if your isn't controlled like that, you may inadvertently leave it running longer than you need to, which could be wasting energy.
- The room you are using it in. More humid environments mean your dehumidifier may have to work harder and longer which can impact how much energy it consumes.
- How much you pay for your energy. While we have used the current energy price cap for these calculations, if you are on a fixed rate tariff, you may pay less per unit of electricity, which means your dehumidifier won't cost as much to run.
How to reduce the cost of running a dehumidifier by making it more efficient
If you want to cut down how much your dehumidifier costs to run, then it's worth making sure you are using the most energy efficient model in the most energy efficient way possible.
1. Choose the right dehumidifier
Ultimately, the longer you use your dehumidifier, the more it’ll cost to run. You can limit this by choosing a dehumidifier with an advanced humidistat, though.
A humidistat works much like a thermostat, detecting when humidity rises and falls. Advanced humidistats work more efficiently. For example, while some dehumidifiers keep running to check humidity, Meaco’s Control Logic feature on its low energy models checks for humidity every 30 minutes, going to sleep in between to save energy.
And all that time it’s in ‘sleep’ mode, it’s not costing you as much.
Of course, you also need to make sure that you’re choosing the right size dehumidifier for your home. Too small and it'll consume more energy as it struggles to remove excess moisture from the air. Too big, and you'll waste energy on an unnecessarily powerful appliance.
2. Make the most of dedicated functions and features
There are so many different dehumidifiers out there, from dehumidifiers designed specifically to reduce the moisture in rooms to those that also offer dedicated laundry modes. And if you want to cut down the cost of running a dehumidifier, using these features and functions is key.
For example, an energy-saving laundry mode will test the air and adjust the power usage based on the humidity – perfect for when you’re airing washing on an indoor drying rack. By reducing power consumption as required, you don’t have to worry about the dehumidifier continuing to run when the job is done.
Choosing a model with more than one speed also means you can have it on low on days when you need it less. Alternatively, the latest dehumidifiers can select the right speed for you, taking the guesswork out of having it on too high or too low.
Patrick Garner from Heatable also adds, ‘Opting for a model with a high energy efficiency rating, such as A++ or A+++, can also help keep costs down over time.’
3. Clean the filter regularly
One of the main reasons why a dehumidifier stops collecting water is because the filter is dirty. But while it’s not making a dent in your home’s humidity, the dehumidifier is still running during this time - and working harder than it needs to, which means it's using more energy than it needs to too. That’s why it’s so important to clean your dehumidifier filter regularly.
This is all part and parcel of cleaning a dehumidifier and shouldn’t take long at all, but it can drastically reduce the cost of running a dehumidifier as you shouldn’t have to leave it on as long.
The same goes for regularly emptying your dehumidifier of its water. And while it may seem tempting to leave the water in there until it’s reached the ‘MAX’ line, most experts would suggest emptying it earlier than that. But don’t worry; there are so many ways to use that dehumidifier water around the house.
4. Put it in the right location
It’s important to understand the worst places to put a dehumidifier if you want to cut down how much it costs to run a dehumidifier. After all, location is key to lower running costs.
Peter Clayton from Trade Plumbing advises, ‘To extract the maximum amount of moisture place your dehumidifier in a location with free-flowing air, the centre of a room is usually best.’ This means you should avoid placing a dehumidifier against a wall or in the corner of a room.
'If you do this, your dehumidifier will have to work extra hard to extract the moisture from the air. This will ultimately increase how much it costs to run a dehumidifier.'
5. Make positive changes in your home
Although dehumidifiers are second to none when it comes to reducing the humidity in your home, there are other ways to do this - and using your dehumidifier while also making positive changes to your home can seriously work in your favour and cut down the cost of running this appliance. After all, you’ll be using it less.
For example, many plants reduce condensation and damp in your home and simple tips such as opening your windows for 15 minutes every morning can help reduce the need for a dehumidifier. However, there’s no need to dehumidify the air outside. So, remember to shut the room’s windows and any outside doors when your dehumidifier is on.
You should also make sure your kitchen and bathroom extractor fans are working well, open windows after a shower and while cooking, and remember to pop lids on saucepans to prevent excess moisture in your home.
Crowned the 'best overall' in our guide, this dehumidifier is considered to be one of the most energy efficient (and therefore cheapest) dehumidifiers out there.
This option is perfect if you'll primarily be using your dehumidifier to dry clothes as the dedicated Laundry mode will dry your clothes in a jiffy. At 300W, it'll cost around 8p an hour to run.
This dehumidifier can extract up to 30L of moisture from the air per day, giving it one of the highest extraction rates on the market. Plus, it's voice-activated to allow you full control.
FAQs
Are some dehumidifiers cheaper to run than others?
There are two types of dehumidifiers, and running costs will be similar, provided they are used in the right conditions. But each different type of dehumidifier needs different conditions to run efficiently. Use the wrong model in the wrong conditions, and the answer to how much it costs to run a dehumidifier will increase.
- Desiccant dehumidifiers draw in the air and pass it over material that soaks up moisture like a sponge. They’re ideal for colder areas that might drop below 15°C, such as a conservatory or utility room. An internal heater regenerates the desiccant so the process can be repeated.
- Compressor, or refrigerant, dehumidifiers create a cold surface so that when warm, damp air comes into contact with it, condensation forms, and the water can be collected in a tank. They’re more suitable for warm rooms such as living rooms or bedrooms as they’ll have to work harder in cold spaces to create condensation inside.
Both will be able to help get rid of damp, condensation and mould in your home. ‘The air coming out of the compressor dehumidifier will be about 2°C warmer while the air coming out of a desiccant dehumidifier will be about 10-12°C warmer,’ says Chris from Meaco.
‘Compressor dehumidifiers are in general cheaper to run, but you’ll mostly be using your dehumidifier in the winter months, and the extra energy that a desiccant uses is released into the room as heat.’
So, it’s important to weigh up which option is best for you, your home, and your budget.
How many hours a day should you run a dehumidifier?
On average, though, experts suggest that homeowners should leave their dehumidifier running for around 4-12 hours a day.
This ultimately depends on many things, however, including the size of your home, the moisture levels in your home, and the quality of the dehumidifier. If you have a small home with limited moisture and a dehumidifier with a high extraction rate, you may only need to run your dehumidifier for an hour or two a day.
However, if you have a large home with lots of moisture and a dehumidifier that isn’t equipped to deal with those conditions, you may have to leave your dehumidifier running for 12 hours a day. You can also buy dehumidifiers that automatically turn off when your home reaches and ideal humidity level.
Is it cheaper to use a dehumidifier than a tumble dryer to dry clothes?
Yes, a dehumidifier costs less to run than a tumble dryer. A tumble dryer is a much more energy hungry appliance, typically using between 2.5 and 5kW. That means, at current prices, a tumble dryer will cost between 69p and £1.38 per hour to run.
And so if you want to use your dehumidifier to help dry your clothes, it's definitely an energy-saving alternative to a tumble dryer.
What's the cheapest time of day to run a dehumidifier?
Whether there is a cheaper time of day to run a dehumidifier will depend on your energy tariff. Many will pay a single rate for the energy they use, which means it will cost you the same to use your dehumidifier whenever you use it. Some suppliers may offer special deals where they offer discounts for using more energy at off-peak times, but these aren't a regular occurrence.
However, if you are on a time of use tariff, like Economy 7 or Economy 10, then you will benefit from a cheaper rates during specific hours of the day, especially when demand is lower, like overnight. If you are on a tariff like this, then your dehumidifier will cost less to use if you use it at the off-peak times stipulated by your provider. You should be able to find this information on your bill, or give your energy provider a call if you are unsure.
Make sure you check whether you can leave a dehumidifier on overnight first though.
