Do Dehumidifiers Use a Lot of Electricity? (Energy Cost Breakdown)

Do Dehumidifiers Use a Lot of Electricity? (Energy Cost Breakdown)

7th Oct 2025 | |

With the cost of living difficulty, and after the energy price hikes of recent years, many of our customers are increasingly wary about electricity cost with running dehumidifiers and building drying equipment. However, it’s often the cast that dehumidifiers are more efficient than people realise.

How Much Power Does a Dehumidifier Use?

Typical domestic dehumidifiers may use 200–400 watts per hour, while more powerful industrial units typically use 500–800 watts per hour, or more. At an average electricity rate of £0.30 per kWh, that’s roughly:

  • Small home unit: £0.06–£0.12 per hour (£1.44 – £2.88 per day)
  • Large commercial unit: £0.15–£0.25 per hour (£3.6 – £6 per day)

When balancing the running costs of equipment with the potential risk of not running it, at the above costs we would consider it preferable to run the equipment to maintain good atmosphere in properties, and certainly when needed for drying water damage.

Why Running a Dehumidifier Can Save Energy

Dry air heats more efficiently than damp air. By removing excess moisture, your heating system works better, reducing condensation and energy waste.

Tips to Keep Costs Low

  • Some dehumidifiers may have a humidistat setting, so it can be set to stop automatically when target humidity is reached.
  • Keep doors and windows closed while running a dehumidifier, to avoid loss of dry air.
  • Position the unit centrally in the room for best distribution of dry air.
  • Consider hiring a dehumidifier only for the period you need it — avoiding purchase and storage costs.

At Dehumidifier Rental, we can hire you our energy-efficient models that deliver maximum drying power with minimal electricity use. Our newest models are increasingly economical and are perfect for short-term moisture problems.

We operate in London and the South East of England and are happy to advise what equipment may be suitable. Call us on 020 7760 7660, or email at help@dehumidifier-rental.co.uk Just let us know how many rooms are affected, and their approximate size, and we will give you a quote for suitable equipment.