How many watts does a dehumidifier use?
Most dehumidifiers use 200–800 watts while running (typically about 450 W). At the U.S. average rate of 18.16¢/kWh, a typical one costs about $4.77 a month ($57.20 a year, if used about 180 days a year).
Cost to run a dehumidifier: calculator
Real data from 547 ENERGY STAR models
Median rated annual energy use under the DOE test procedure: 315 kWh/yr (most models 181–525 kWh/yr). Older or non-certified models usually use more.
| Median | Cost at 18.16¢ | |
|---|---|---|
| under 30 pints/day | 276 kWh/yr | $50.12/yr |
| 30–45 pints/day | 374 kWh/yr | $67.92/yr |
| 45+ pints/day | 520 kWh/yr | $94.43/yr |
Running vs starting watts
Running watts are what it draws while operating; they drive your electricity bill. It has no significant start-up surge, so size a generator or power station on running watts alone.
| Source | Running | Starting |
|---|---|---|
| EcoFlow appliance wattage chart | 200–800 W | — |
| Honda generator wattage chart (PDF) | 650 W | 800 W |
| U.S. DOE Energy Saver, typical appliance wattages (archived) | 785 W | — |
Will a power station run it?
A 1,000 Wh power station would run a typical dehumidifier for about 1.9 hours (assuming 85% conversion efficiency). Look for at least 800 W continuous output. Check your power station or generator →
Cost by state
Based on the median ENERGY STAR model (315 kWh/yr rated).
Cost to run a dehumidifier in every state
| State | Rate | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 16.33¢ | $4.29 | $51.44 |
| Alaska | 29.41¢ | $7.72 | $92.64 |
| Arizona | 15.05¢ | $3.95 | $47.41 |
| Arkansas | 14.37¢ | $3.77 | $45.27 |
| California | 29.75¢ | $7.81 | $93.71 |
| Colorado | 17.17¢ | $4.51 | $54.09 |
| Connecticut | 24.51¢ | $6.43 | $77.21 |
| Delaware | 18.70¢ | $4.91 | $58.91 |
| District of Columbia | 25.98¢ | $6.82 | $81.84 |
| Florida | 14.99¢ | $3.93 | $47.22 |
| Georgia | 15.90¢ | $4.17 | $50.09 |
| Hawaii | 47.18¢ | $12.38 | $149 |
| Idaho | 13.37¢ | $3.51 | $42.12 |
| Illinois | 19.32¢ | $5.07 | $60.86 |
| Indiana | 17.02¢ | $4.47 | $53.61 |
| Iowa | 17.06¢ | $4.48 | $53.74 |
| Kansas | 15.47¢ | $4.06 | $48.73 |
| Kentucky | 13.80¢ | $3.62 | $43.47 |
| Louisiana | 12.87¢ | $3.38 | $40.54 |
| Maine | 32.11¢ | $8.43 | $101 |
| Maryland | 21.40¢ | $5.62 | $67.41 |
| Massachusetts | 30.48¢ | $8.00 | $96.01 |
| Michigan | 22.99¢ | $6.03 | $72.42 |
| Minnesota | 17.20¢ | $4.51 | $54.18 |
| Mississippi | 14.43¢ | $3.79 | $45.45 |
| Missouri | 16.02¢ | $4.21 | $50.46 |
| Montana | 15.57¢ | $4.09 | $49.05 |
| Nebraska | 13.54¢ | $3.55 | $42.65 |
| Nevada | 12.72¢ | $3.34 | $40.07 |
| New Hampshire | 27.64¢ | $7.26 | $87.07 |
| New Jersey | 24.61¢ | $6.46 | $77.52 |
| New Mexico | 16.51¢ | $4.33 | $52.01 |
| New York | 28.65¢ | $7.52 | $90.25 |
| North Carolina | 14.95¢ | $3.92 | $47.09 |
| North Dakota | 13.31¢ | $3.49 | $41.93 |
| Ohio | 19.38¢ | $5.09 | $61.05 |
| Oklahoma | 14.82¢ | $3.89 | $46.68 |
| Oregon | 15.92¢ | $4.18 | $50.15 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.77¢ | $5.71 | $68.58 |
| Rhode Island | 28.18¢ | $7.40 | $88.77 |
| South Carolina | 15.76¢ | $4.14 | $49.64 |
| South Dakota | 15.15¢ | $3.98 | $47.72 |
| Tennessee | 13.42¢ | $3.52 | $42.27 |
| Texas | 15.91¢ | $4.18 | $50.12 |
| Utah | 13.31¢ | $3.49 | $41.93 |
| Vermont | 23.84¢ | $6.26 | $75.10 |
| Virginia | 17.64¢ | $4.63 | $55.57 |
| Washington | 14.63¢ | $3.84 | $46.08 |
| West Virginia | 16.31¢ | $4.28 | $51.38 |
| Wisconsin | 19.41¢ | $5.10 | $61.14 |
| Wyoming | 14.43¢ | $3.79 | $45.45 |
FAQ
How many watts does a dehumidifier use?
Most dehumidifiers use 200–800 watts while running (typically about 450 W). At the U.S. average rate of 18.16¢/kWh, a typical one costs about $4.77 a month ($57.20 a year, if used about 180 days a year).
How much does it cost to run a dehumidifier?
About $4.77 a month at the U.S. average rate (18.16¢/kWh, August 2026), based on the median ENERGY STAR model (315 kWh/yr rated). In the cheapest state it's about $3.34 a month; in the most expensive, $12.38.
How many kWh does a dehumidifier use?
About 315 kWh a year (26 kWh a month), based on the median ENERGY STAR model (315 kWh/yr rated).
Can a power station or generator run a dehumidifier?
A 1,000 Wh power station would run a typical dehumidifier for about 1.9 hours. Look for at least 800 W continuous output.