How Much Does It Cost to Run a Dehumidifier in California? (2026)
A dehumidifier runs like a small air conditioner, and people often leave it on for most of the day in damp basements. That combination of moderate wattage and long hours makes it a surprising line item on the bill.
A typical dehumidifier (400 W) costs $0.14 per hour, or about $41.69 per month at 10 hours a day in California. Average running cost
| Wattage | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low 250 W | $0.087 | $0.87 | $26.05 | $156.33 |
| Typical 400 W | $0.14 | $1.39 | $41.69 | $250.13 |
| High 700 W | $0.24 | $2.43 | $72.95 | $437.72 |
Formula: watts ÷ 1000 × hours × price per kWh. Typical use is 10 h/day for about 180 days a year (the humid months) ≈ 720 kWh per year.
One hour of a dehumidifier (0.40 kWh) is the same electricity as
- 2.2km in an electric car
- 4.0hours of TV
- 8.9hours of a laptop
- 44hours of an LED bulb
In California, with electricity at 34.7¢ per kWh (source: EIA Table 5.6.A, 2026-06), a typical dehumidifier costs $0.14 per hour and about $250.13 per year at 10 hours a day. That is about 89% more than the national average for the US ($22.01 per month), because electricity in California costs 34.7¢ per kWh against 18.3¢ nationally. Each $1.00 of electricity buys roughly 7.2 hours of use.
How to lower the cost of running a dehumidifier
- Set the humidistat to 50 percent. Lower settings make the unit run far longer for little benefit.
- Close windows and doors in the room being dried.
- Empty the tank promptly or use continuous drain so the unit does not sit idle.
- Look for the Energy Star rating, which measures litres removed per kWh.
In standby it draws about 1 W, which adds roughly 9 kWh ($3.04) per year if it is never unplugged.
Is an efficient dehumidifier worth it?
Older dehumidifier, about 700 W: about 1,260 kWh a year. ENERGY STAR dehumidifier, about 400 W: about 720 kWh. The difference is worth $187.60 a year in California.
- Replacing one that still works pays back in 1.3 years.
- When yours needs replacing anyway, the extra cost of the efficient model pays back in 4 months.
Usage assumed: 10 hours a day for six months. Typical prices: $250.00 for the efficient model, $60.00 more than a basic one. Work it out with your own prices
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a dehumidifier 24/7?
A 400 watt unit uses 9.6 kWh a day if it never cycles off. With a humidistat, real use is usually half that.
Does a dehumidifier heat the room?
Yes, slightly. All the electricity it uses ends up as heat, which can help in a cold basement.
Are desiccant dehumidifiers cheaper to run?
No, they typically use more electricity, but they work better in cold rooms.
Cost by region
US states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Canadian provinces
Related appliances
- Electric Blanket100 W typical
- Heat Pump (Ducted or Mini-Split)2,000 W typical
- Baseboard Heater1,500 W typical
- Portable Fan (Box or Pedestal)50 W typical
Use the generic electricity cost calculator · Which uses more? Take the quiz