Dehumidifier running cost, by state
A dehumidifier drawing 500W costs about $241 a year at the US average electricity rate — but that average hides a fourfold spread. Pick your state for a real figure.
At the US average rate
500W at a 60% duty cycle, 12 hours a day, at 18.34¢/kWh.
About this appliance
Dehumidifiers run longest in exactly the humid weather when they are most needed, so real-world cost is usually higher than people expect. They also add heat to the room, slightly increasing cooling load.
- Nameplate wattage is not running cost. This dehumidifier draws about 500W when active, but cycles roughly 60% of the time it is switched on, so effective consumption is near 300W.
- Models vary widely, from about 300W to 800W. Check the nameplate on your own unit rather than assuming an average, because the spread is more than 2x.
- Insulation and air sealing reduce runtime, which lowers cost more reliably than adjusting the thermostat by a degree.
- Because this runs continuously, small wattage differences between models compound into large annual differences.
- If your utility offers time-of-use pricing, shifting this load off-peak can cut its cost substantially without using any less energy.
Annual cost in every state
Sorted cheapest first. Click any state for the full calculation with that state’s rate loaded.
| State | Rate /kWh | Per month | Per year | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | 13.11¢ | $14.37 | $172 | |
| Nebraska | 13.25¢ | $14.52 | $174 | |
| Utah | 13.37¢ | $14.65 | $176 | |
| Louisiana | 13.49¢ | $14.78 | $177 | |
| Tennessee | 14.07¢ | $15.42 | $185 | |
| Arkansas | 14.12¢ | $15.47 | $186 | |
| North Dakota | 14.12¢ | $15.47 | $186 | |
| Kentucky | 14.26¢ | $15.63 | $187 | |
| Oklahoma | 14.33¢ | $15.70 | $188 | |
| Idaho | 14.37¢ | $15.75 | $189 | |
| North Carolina | 14.74¢ | $16.15 | $194 | |
| Mississippi | 14.88¢ | $16.31 | $196 | |
| Washington | 14.91¢ | $16.34 | $196 | |
| New Mexico | 15.06¢ | $16.50 | $198 | |
| Florida | 15.10¢ | $16.55 | $198 | |
| Montana | 15.14¢ | $16.59 | $199 | |
| Arizona | 15.18¢ | $16.63 | $199 | |
| Wyoming | 15.24¢ | $16.70 | $200 | |
| South Dakota | 15.36¢ | $16.83 | $202 | |
| West Virginia | 15.45¢ | $16.93 | $203 | |
| South Carolina | 15.55¢ | $17.04 | $204 | |
| Kansas | 15.71¢ | $17.22 | $206 | |
| Iowa | 15.93¢ | $17.46 | $209 | |
| Texas | 15.94¢ | $17.47 | $209 | |
| Missouri | 16.22¢ | $17.77 | $213 | |
| Oregon | 16.32¢ | $17.88 | $214 | |
| Georgia | 16.36¢ | $17.93 | $215 | |
| Alabama | 16.40¢ | $17.97 | $215 | |
| Colorado | 17.13¢ | $18.77 | $225 | |
| Virginia | 17.22¢ | $18.87 | $226 | |
| Indiana | 17.51¢ | $19.19 | $230 | |
| Minnesota | 17.52¢ | $19.20 | $230 | |
| Ohio | 19.19¢ | $21.03 | $252 | |
| Delaware | 19.29¢ | $21.14 | $253 | |
| Wisconsin | 19.56¢ | $21.43 | $257 | |
| Illinois | 19.89¢ | $21.80 | $261 | |
| Pennsylvania | 21.73¢ | $23.81 | $286 | |
| Maryland | 21.84¢ | $23.93 | $287 | |
| Michigan | 22.99¢ | $25.19 | $302 | |
| Connecticut | 24.32¢ | $26.65 | $320 | |
| District of Columbia | 24.39¢ | $26.73 | $320 | |
| Vermont | 24.44¢ | $26.78 | $321 | |
| New Jersey | 24.95¢ | $27.34 | $328 | |
| New Hampshire | 27.01¢ | $29.60 | $355 | |
| Alaska | 28.21¢ | $30.91 | $371 | |
| Rhode Island | 29.23¢ | $32.03 | $384 | |
| New York | 29.49¢ | $32.32 | $387 | |
| Maine | 29.59¢ | $32.43 | $389 | |
| Massachusetts | 29.61¢ | $32.45 | $389 | |
| California | 34.74¢ | $38.07 | $456 | |
| Hawaii | 52.72¢ | $57.77 | $693 |
Common questions
How many watts does a dehumidifier use?
A typical dehumidifier draws about 500 watts while running, with most models falling between 300W and 800W. Check the nameplate label or manual for your specific unit - the range is wide enough that averages can mislead.
How much electricity does a dehumidifier use per day?
At around 12 hours of use a day and a 60% duty cycle, that works out to roughly 3.6 kWh per day, or about 108 kWh a month. Your actual figure depends on your usage and model.
Why does the cost differ so much between states?
Residential electricity rates across the US range from about 12.35 cents per kWh in North Dakota to 46.62 cents in Hawaii - nearly a fourfold difference. The same dehumidifier, used identically, therefore costs almost four times as much to run in the most expensive state as in the cheapest.
Is it cheaper to run a dehumidifier at night?
Only if you are on a time-of-use or variable tariff. On a flat rate, the time of day makes no difference to cost. If you are on time-of-use pricing, off-peak hours are typically materially cheaper, and shifting this load can reduce its cost without reducing usage.