How much electricity a dehumidifier uses

A dehumidifier keeps damp under control in basements, bathrooms, bedrooms and rooms where laundry dries, but it runs for many hours. This calculator estimates how much electricity it uses in a year, what each day of use costs and, if you know how many litres it collects, what each litre of water removed from the air costs.

How the calculation works

• Consumption: power in watts × running hours per day × days of use, divided by 1,000 to get kWh.
• Cost: kWh × electricity price.
• Cost per litre: the cost of one day divided by the litres collected that day.
• Yield: litres collected per kWh used, useful to compare appliances and rooms.

Enter the hours the appliance actually runs: with a humidistat, the compressor stops once the air reaches the set level and consumption drops. A plug-in energy monitor gives the most accurate figure. Costs are in the currency of the price you enter.

Annual cost by type of appliance

Example with 8 hours a day, 120 days a year and 0.25 per kWh:

Desiccant models draw more power, but they work well in cold rooms, where compressor models perform poorly.

How much running hours matter

A 250 W dehumidifier, 120 days a year, 0.25 per kWh:

The reading bands

• Under 1 litre per kWh: a low yield, typical of desiccant models or cold rooms.
• 1 to 2 litres per kWh: an average yield, typical of a compressor model at home.
• 2 litres per kWh or more: a good yield, typical of an efficient compressor in a warm, humid room.

If you enter 0 litres, the calculator shows only consumption and cost.

How to spend less

Set the humidistat to around 50-60%: going lower uses more energy with no practical benefit. Keep the room's doors and windows closed, clean the filter and place the unit away from walls. Bear in mind that rated extraction is measured in warm, humid test conditions: at home, especially in winter, it is usually lower.

Frequently asked questions

How much electricity does a dehumidifier use?

A 200 W compressor model running 8 hours a day uses 1.6 kWh a day: over 120 days that is 192 kWh, about 48 at 0.25 per kWh.

Do desiccant models use more?

Usually yes: they often draw 500-650 W, but perform better than compressor models in cold rooms.

Where do I find the power?

On the rating plate or in the manual. For real consumption, a plug-in energy monitor is better.

Does a dehumidifier run all the time?

With a humidistat the compressor stops when the air reaches the set level: enter the actual running hours.

What humidity should I set?

Around 50-60% for most homes: lower settings increase consumption.

What is the yield in litres per kWh?

The litres of water collected with one kWh of electricity: the higher it is, the less each litre costs.

Is it worth running it at night?

It depends on your time-of-use electricity rates: if night power is cheaper, the calculation changes accordingly.

Does it work with any currency?

Yes: the cost is in the currency of the price per kWh you enter.