How much electricity does a dehumidifier use?
There is no single answer, because dehumidifiers differ a lot in size. The ENERGY STAR certified list is the best public source: it gives a standardized annual kWh for each model. This guide summarizes that list as it stood in October 2026.
The short version
Among 539 certified portable models, the median is 315 kWh per year. The range is 105 to 886 kWh. At 15 cents per kWh the median model costs about $47 a year, and at 25 cents about $79.
The 21 certified whole-home models use more: a median of 628 kWh per year.
By capacity (portable models)
Capacity is in pints per day under the current test. Cost columns are for illustration at two prices, not a forecast.
| Capacity | Models | Median kWh/yr | Range kWh/yr | Median IEF (L/kWh) | Median cost at 15¢ | Median cost at 25¢ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 25 | 256 | 276 | 105 to 886 | 1.79 | $41.40 | $69.00 |
| 25 to under 35 | 40 | 335 | 256 to 791 | 2.04 | $50.25 | $83.75 |
| 35 to under 45 | 76 | 378 | 340 to 438 | 2.01 | $56.70 | $94.50 |
| 45 to 60 | 167 | 520 | 444 to 530 | 2.01 | $78.00 | $130.00 |
Whole-home models: 21 listed, median 628 kWh per year (range 419 to 2,808), median IEF 2.35. At 15 cents that is about $94 a year, at 25 cents $157.
What the table tells you
- Bigger units use more electricity. That is expected: they remove more water.
- Efficiency per litre is similar from about 25 pints up. Medians sit around 2 litres per kWh. The smallest units have a lower median, 1.79.
- The spread inside a band can be wide. In the smallest band the annual figure runs from 105 to 886 kWh. Two models of similar size can differ a lot in cost, so compare within a band rather than assuming.
What the figure does not include
The annual kWh is from a standard test under typical conditions. It does not know how damp your space is, how long it runs, or how the room is closed off. A unit that runs year-round in a basement will use more than one used for a few weeks. If you can, measure your own with a plug-in meter.
Check your own state
Multiply the annual kWh by your price per kWh. On each model page you can pick your state or enter your rate, and see the result next to similar models. The same 315 kWh costs about $40 a year at 12.72 cents (Louisiana, July 2026 EIA average) and about $151 at 48.00 cents (Hawaii).
To read the ratings themselves, see reading ENERGY STAR dehumidifier ratings.
Method
Data: ENERGY STAR Certified Dehumidifiers dataset (EPA), imported October 2026, newest listing for each brand and model number. 560 current listings: 539 portable and 21 whole-home. Medians and ranges are computed from the annual energy, capacity and IEF values as published, with nothing estimated for missing values. The list changes over time.