Do Dehumidifiers Use a Lot Of Electricity?

In some parts of the United States, like New Orleans, humidity has an average of 86%. This means that most people living in this region and many others feel that a dehumidifier is not a luxury but a necessity. But do dehumidifiers use a lot of electricity?

The simple answer to whether they use a lot of electricity is yes. Even though the wattage or energy consumption of many models is low (The average being 483 watts), they stay on for at least 12 hours a day and in most cases, 24 hours, which is why the costs can increase, particularly for less efficient models.

The average cost is about $1.95 daily, meaning it could cost up to (if not more than) $58.42 a month.

Below I’ll break down all aspects of dehumidifier power consumption, energy efficiency, how much energy (electricity) they use, and how much you are most likely to spend per month.

Knowing their energy efficiency using the Energy Star rating and what to look for won’t be difficult after reading this article. If you’re in a hurry here’s the top line…

Here Are My Top 3 Choices For Energy Efficient Dehumidifiers..

Do Dehumidifiers Use a Lot Of Electricity?

In order to understand how much electricity a dehumidifier uses, consideration has to be made to how one works.

Dehumidifier energy cost and therefore their energy efficiency, when switched on will obviously vary in the amount of electricity used.

This is due to them cycling through various stages while activating different components while they remove moisture from the air.

Consider that the compressor, fan, and refrigeration coil will also use varying amounts of electricity.

Moreover, the size of the room and the degree of humidity that needs to be removed will also play a role in even the most energy-efficient dehumidifier.

Although the energy consumption for small and medium-sized dehumidifiers is relatively low, long-term usage (especially older, less energy-efficient models) can add up to be quite a substantial amount.

This is compounded by the fact that most dehumidifiers run 12 to 24 hours daily.

How Many Watts Does A Dehumidifier Use?

The average number of watts used for a dehumidifier is 483 watts, respectively, with the average humidifier using 0.427 kWh per hour. This means it can use almost 11.59 kWh per day if left on for 24 hours. However, dehumidifiers can be broken up into three categories which are namely;

• Low wattage
• Medium wattage
• High wattage

Each of the dehumidifiers in these categories will use varying amounts of electricity, with the low wattage using resulting in the least electricity cost.

But, how much power does a dehumidifier use? Here is a breakdown of how many watts each category will typically use;

How Much Energy Does A Dehumidifier Use?

Dehumidifier Category	Typical Wattage (W)
Low Wattage Dehumidifier	Between 124W and 466W
Medium Wattage Dehumidifier	Between 467W and 700W
High Wattage Dehumidifier	Between 701W and 970W

This means that the average humidifier that most individuals will have falls into the second category and as mentioned, the electricity used depends on how long the humidifier is switched on, how old it is, and the amount of air (how big the space) it needs to remove moisture from.

How Much Electricity Does A Dehumidifier Use Per Month?

If the average medium-wattage dehumidifier is considered the standard and utilizes 11.59 kWh over a 24-hour period, then based on this, the average amount of electricity used will add up to 347.76 kWh per month (30 days).

Which Dehumidifier Uses The Least Amount Of Electricity?

According to the Government, ENERGY STAR certified dehumidifiers will use nearly 15% less energy and will be the most energy efficient. These types of dehumidifiers are not brand specific, meaning any dehumidifier brand can have it.

Additionally, whole-home dehumidifiers, as well as portable models, may have this certification.

Consider that depending on the situation; a different size dehumidifier will be necessary, so determining which uses the least amount of electricity is not a viable option.

However, all dehumidifiers come with an IEF rating, which correlates to how energy-efficient (how much electricity they use) they are.

Are Dehumidifiers Energy-Efficient?

Modern dehumidifiers that utilize a low wattage of between 124 and 466 watts are typically the most energy-efficient dehumidifiers available.

It would help to remember that a humidifier will typically run for hours a day (typically 24 hours), and when medium-wattage and high-wattage ones are used (even if they are deemed to be energy efficient), the electricity consumption will be quite considerable.

Additionally, dehumidifiers come with what is known as an “integrated Energy Factor” or IEF.

This is simply the measurement of how many liters of water a dehumidifier is able to remove from the air using 1 kWh of energy.

The higher the IEF rating, the more energy-efficient the dehumidifier.

How Much Electricity Does A Dehumidifier Use Per Day?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Statistics, the U.S. average cost of electricity is currently $0.168 per kWh. Considering that an average dehumidifier will run 24 hours a day and utilize 11.59 kWh, the daily cost will be approximately $1.95.

However, smaller and larger dehumidifiers will consume less and more electricity. As such, the average cost for low-wattage through to high-wattage (See wattage in the above table) dehumidifiers running for 24hrs will be between $0.50 and $3.91 per day.

This means if a large-wattage dehumidifier is being used, then the monthly fee for electricity can be as much as $117 per month, respectively.

Do Dehumidifiers Reduce The Cost Of Heating?

Dehumidifiers do reduce the cost of heating. According to EcoAir, a leading manufacturer of cooling and ventilation, dehumidifiers can help cut energy costs because the higher the humidity levels in a home, the more difficult it is to heat it. This leads to higher gas bills.

Are Dehumidifiers Cheaper To Run Than A/C Units?

If both an A/C unit and a dehumidifier are of the same capacity (size) and have typical running times, then dehumidifier energy use is typically cheaper to run than an A/C unit.

What Are The Pros And Cons Of A Dehumidifier?

Below I’ve listed some advantages and disadvantages of a dehumidifier.

Conclusion

Although dehumidifiers don’t necessarily use a lot of electricity and, in fact, are energy efficient (even more so if they have the ENERGY STAR certification), they will typically need to run for at least 12 hours a day but preferably 24.

So, how much does it cost to run a dehumidifier? The fact is because these devices are typically usually used continuously their energy consumption can be quite considerable. The average dehumidifier can cost approx. $58.42 per month. Moreover, if a large-wattage dehumidifier is being used, the cost of electricity can be as much as $117 per month!

This is something to be considered even with the benefits of lowering allergies, preventing mold, removing dust mites, and more.

Here Are My Top 3 Choices For Energy Efficient Dehumidifiers..