If you’re struggling with condensation around your home or want a decent alternative to a tumble dryer, a dehumidifier is a great solution. But once you’ve bought one, how much are the running costs?
How much does a dehumidifier cost to run?
If you were to run your dehumidifier for eight hours, it will cost you anywhere between 6 pence and £1.77, depending on its power consumption. Scroll down to the table below to see how much yours could potentially cost.
To dehumidify or not?
I actually don’t mind the winter as I’m the kind of person that finds it far easier to warm up than cool myself down. But I do hate the havoc that the cold causes around my home. I can either spend my mornings wiping down all the condensation around the house or open up my windows. And if I do that, it means a cold home and a moaning family.
But an easier and better solution I have found is a dehumidifier.
What does a dehumidifier do?
A dehumidifier simply removes water from the air until it reaches the humidity level that you find comfortable. Reducing humidity can stop mould from growing around the home, can help clothes to dry quicker in winter and can even remove musty odours.
But be careful and don’t get it confused with a humidifier. They do the complete opposite.
Do I need one?
If you find that humidity levels around your home are too much, with condensation on your windows or a build-up of mould, then a dehumidifier can help to tackle the issue.
As I said above, opening windows is also an alternative you can use, but this can lead to much higher heating bills unless you’re willing to live in an icebox.
Typically, an ideal humidity should be between 40-60%, but it varies depending on the time of year.
Also worth reading –
Take a look at cheap ways to remove condensation from your windows.
What type of dehumidifier do you need?
There are two main types of dehumidifiers available – desiccant and refrigerant. They work in slightly different ways, but both will extract humidity from the air. But there is a major difference you need to consider.
A refrigerant dehumidifier is suitable for areas where temperatures are above 10 degrees. They usually use slightly less energy compared to a desiccant dehumidifier.
If your home is a little colder, you’ll need to look towards a desiccant dehumidifier. Although they can be more expensive to run they can remove greater quantities of moisture per hour.
You’ll also need to think about size. A small, portable dehumidifier would be ideal for a small room as it will do what you need it to and will be cheap to run. But if you’re looking to use your dehumidifier in a large area, perhaps, covering several rooms, you’ll need a much bigger machine.
How much electricity does a dehumidifier use?
Before we can figure out the running costs, we need to look at how much electricity a dehumidifier uses. But with so many makes, models and sizes available, it’s impossible to cover every machine. However, we can get a general idea.
A small, portable dehumidifier that extracts 0.25 litres of water per day, will use just 22.5 watts of power to run. As they get bigger and extract more water, they use more power and can sometimes consume as much as 650 watts. On average, expect a dehumidifier to use between 300 and 400 watts.
Every dehumidifier should have the amount of power it uses written on a label, or have it listed on its website or box.
How long should a dehumidifier be on?
Running costs are also affected by how long the machine runs for. But how long yours should run for depends on the conditions in your home.
Ideally, your dehumidifier should be turned on permanently. It will turn itself off once it reaches the required humidity, but this could take from a couple of hours to twelve.
The cost of running a dehumidifier
For the figures below, I have assumed an average cost of 34 pence per kWh, the current price cap.
The price per week is calculated by using the dehumidifier eight hours every day.
| Wattage | Suitable room size (up to) | Cost per hour | Cost for 8 hours | Cost per week |
| 22.5 | Up to 7.5 m² | 1 pence | 6 pence | 43 pence |
| 40 | Up to 15 m² | 2 pence | 11 pence | 76 pence |
| 280 | Up to 25 m² | 10 pence | 76 pence | £5.33 |
| 340 | Up to 40 m² | 12 pence | 92 pence | £6.47 |
| 650 | Up to 80 m² | 22 pence | £1.77 | £12.38 |
Please note that the above is for guidance only. You may be able to find lower-wattage machines which are suitable for larger rooms. But more efficient dehumidifiers tend to cost more to buy.
Is a dehumidifier worth it?
In an ideal world, nobody wants extra electrical devices plugged in around their home. But if it means that it’s going to stop condensation and mould, which could damage your health if it goes untreated, then the extra on your electricity bill is certainly worth considering.
Tips for reducing the running costs
If you buy a dehumidifier, there are a few ways to reduce the amount of electricity it uses.
- Make sure that the filter is kept clean. If dust gets caught up in it, it won’t work as efficiently.
- Keep windows closed when your dehumidifier is on, otherwise, moisture will come in from outside.
- If you have an extractor fan in the kitchen or bathroom, make sure that you use these too.
Further reading
Why not take a look to see which is cheaper to dry your washing – a tumble dryer or a dehumidifier?