How much does it cost to run a dehumidifier? Experts explain – sharing tips for reducing running costs

A dehumidifier is an essential household appliance at this time of year for anyone looking to combat excess moisture in their home. But how much does it cost to run a dehumidifier, and are they an energy-efficient option?

The best dehumidifiers work by extracting moisture from the air, with some circulating warmer air back into your home – which can help to dry your clothes indoors faster, reduce mould and dust, and even help with allergy symptoms. 

Plus cold weather can, surprisingly, be the most humid, and the contrast between the freezing outside and the warmer inside can result in a build-up of damp air in our homes. 

“This damp air is captured inside and it is noticeable in the form of a damp smell, condensation on windows, and the spread of mould," explains Chris Michael, managing director of air treatment specialist Meaco. 

Therefore a dehumidifier is necessary for some, but soaring energy costs mean that it’s normal to feel wary right now about switching on yet another appliance to eat into your electricity bill – even one so essential. 

We speak to energy and dehumidifier experts to find out the true cost of running a dehumidifier – and if it's money worth spending and also get their insight into how to cut costs. 

How much does it cost to run a dehumidifier?

If you’re wondering, do dehumidifiers use a lot of electricity, and how expensive is it to run a dehumidifier? You’re not alone. These are questions that many people are asking due to rising costs. 

According to experts, running a dehumidifier all day will likely cost you in the range of around £15 a week – that is if you run it constantly. Energy saving expert at Quotezone Jack Ferguson estimates that: “the average 250w dehumidifier costs £11.76 per week if you run it 24 hours a day.” That's the top benchmark for costs because it's unlikely you'll use it for that length of time.

However, if you want a more accurate, less general picture of the running costs – or you plan on running yours a lot less – it is possible to work out how much running a specific dehumidifier in your home should set you back.

To do this, you’ll need to look at the wattage of the model you are looking to use, and how much you pay for electricity per kWh (kilowatt hour). In the UK, due to the current energy price cap, your electricity should generally cost no more than 0.27p/kWh. 

"While there is an initial cost, many dehumidifiers are highly energy-efficient, some costing as little as 4p per hour to run," explains Meaco's Chris Michael. That initial cost can be reduced by securing one of the best Black Friday dehumidifier deals.

When it comes to working out your accurate running costs most energy-hungry white goods will either have energy labels, where usage is outlined in kWh figures or will list wattages in the product specification or on a sticker on the product. Use this metric to determine the amount of energy your dehumidifier is using.

"Appliances that use this measurement will be outlining the amount of energy that the appliance uses for one hour’s worth of usage. “Every 100 watts costs 2.7p/hour to run (based on UK electricity cost of £0.27/kWh). So as an example, a 500-watt dehumidifier will cost 13.5p/hour to run in the UK. A Meaco Arete® One 10L Dehumidifier and Air Purifier costs 4p/hour as it runs at 151 watts. If you use one of these dehumidifiers for eight hours in a day, then that is 32p/day and £9.60 per month.”

While most dehumidifiers don’t need to run constantly to be effective, Chris said, “realistically you will use your dehumidifier for longer than eight hours across the winter." As such, he advises against buying a cheap dehumidifier that has a high wattage as he explains, “that will soon become a false economy.”

Chris Michael

Chris Michael is the expert co-founder of Meaco. Since its launch in 1991, Meaco has become a leading UK provider of air treatment products and the brand’s products have won a wealth of industry and design awards internationally.

So in answer to the question, how much does it cost to run a dehumidifier, the reality is that the answer heavily depends on the wattage of the machine you are using, and how long you intend to use it for each day. 

As advised by Chris, you will probably be running yours for at least a couple of hours in the depths of winter, which should give you some idea of the costs involved.

In general, dehumidifiers are one of the more affordable household appliances to run (in comparison to tumble dryers for example, which can guzzle electricity) – and if you feel comfortable with the cost, they can have real benefits in your home during winter. 

Plus, their benefits can be two-fold, as many dehumidifiers will recycle warm and dry air back into your home, giving you an extra blast of heating when you arguably need it the most. So if you're wondering whether should you buy a dehumidifier the answer is most likely a resounding yes.

FAQ

Are some dehumidifiers cheaper to run than others?

The running costs between dehumidifiers don't tend to vary too significantly although it is worth noting that there are two different types of dehumidifiers and one is slightly cheaper to run than the other. 

The two different types of dehumidifiers are a compressor dehumidifier and a desiccant dehumidifier. It is important to choose the right one based on where you intend to use it – or it may cost you more unnecessarily.

• A compressor dehumidifier “is the cheapest type to run in typical household conditions (with a temperature of 20°C and 60% relative humidity),” Chris explains."A compressor dehumidifier collects the excess moisture in a tank and only changes the temperature of the air by 1-2°C as it passes through meaning they have no real effect on the temperature of a room, but they are cheaper to run."
  
• A desiccant dehumidifier is "more energy efficient due to the different technology it uses to dehumidify the air" Chris advises. “Especially in colder environments under 10°C (typically an unheated conservatory, basement or garage). Once a desiccant dehumidifier condenses the moisture in the air into water and collects it, warm air then passes into the room, so desiccants also act as a gentle heater." Consumers are choosing to use a desiccant dehumidifier to provide a bit of extra warmth to avoid turning the heating on, therefore saving more money.

So, it's wise to first decide where you're going to use your dehumidifier – be it in the main space of your home, or colder rooms only.

Chris also advised that dehumidifiers with a laundry mode also tend to be cheaper to run too, because of how they work. “They will run at full power for a set period before conserving energy by switching itself off,” Chris explains.

If you want to lower costs further, it’s also worth choosing a low-wattage dehumidifier, as these are mostly the cheapest and most energy-efficient. Jack explains, “For the most part, the bigger the wattage, the higher the energy use.”

How to reduce costs when using your dehumidifier

While choosing the right dehumidifier for your home or space is vital, there are some things you can do to reduce running costs, whichever type you use. 

1. Choose a model with a humidistat

A humidistat is not dissimilar to a thermostat, in that it detects the moisture levels in the air, and will adjust the power of your humidifier depending on what it reads. 

This will help to cut costs by ensuring that your dehumidifier isn’t needlessly running on full power all the time, wasting electricity. Instead, a humidistat will help your model to run more efficiently, by powering up when your home needs it, and powering down when it doesn’t.

2. Try to limit humidity in your home generally

While your dehumidifier will work hard for you, it always helps to ensure you’re practising a few good behaviours to reduce humidity in your home as much as possible, so the machine isn't using up much energy unnecessarily. 

For example, to get the most out of your dehumidifier, make sure your extractor fans are working properly (cleaning them regularly as part of your kitchen cleaning routine will help). Open your windows after bathing or showering, and always put lids on saucepans, such as your best induction pans, when cooking.

3. Maintain the machine properly

You can be doing all of the above, but if you aren’t properly maintaining your dehumidifier regularly, it’ll likely be fruitless.

“To keep your running costs low, it is important to make sure your dehumidifier works as efficiently as possible,” Chris advises. This includes cleaning your dehumidifier often.

“To do this, you should check certain components. Does your air filter need cleaning? Are the air vents clear? Are you emptying the tank regularly enough? Is there a build-up of ice on its coils? Have a look at instruction manuals for help on looking after your dehumidifier.”

And, be sure to position your dehumidifier properly too, to allow it to work as efficiently as possible. Chris explained, “Make sure that you keep your dehumidifier on a flat surface 15-30 cm away from furniture or other objects (unless you have an Arete dehumidifier which does not require extra space around it) and keep it on a flat surface.”

4. Only run your dehumidifier when needed

As mentioned, you shouldn't need to run a dehumidifier all the time. “Only use it when you need to," advises Jack. "if there is no condensation on the windows then you probably don’t need to run it. And, if the humidity levels are within the acceptable range of 30-60%, then you don’t need to run it for very long, if at all.”

To find out the humidity levels in your home, you can buy a thermo-hygrometer which, Jack explains, “will check the air moisture level of your home. For around £10, it will let you know the relative humidity of the air –30% to 60% is reasonable. If it is higher than that for prolonged periods, then it’s worth further investigation.”

We recommend the best-selling ThermoPro TP49 Small Digital Hygrometer Indoor Room Thermometer Room available for £10.99 at Amazon, this small device has gained 4.6-star reviews.

It's also important to bear in mind that if you have serious and recurrent damp issues, a dehumidifier likely won't cut it. "Remember, dehumidifiers can't work miracles," says Jack. "If you continue to find moisture problems in the home, it is worth consulting an expert to help you resolve any issues.”

Following the tips for reducing humidity levels in the house will not only help to cut the time of use and reduce your energy bills, but it will lessen the possibility of damp and mould problems escalating quicker. Keeping on top of your humidity levels is the best way to prevent mould from appearing in your wardrobe and potentially damaging your clothes – a problem no one wants.