How Much Does a Dehumidifier Cost to Run in the UK?

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UK Dehumidifier Running Costs

A typical domestic dehumidifier can cost from roughly 4p to 8p per hour for an efficient 150–300W compressor model at the current average UK electricity rate, while a higher-power desiccant model can cost around 13p to 15p per hour or more on its higher setting. The real bill depends on wattage, room conditions, target humidity and how often the appliance actually runs.

Quick formula: power in kW × hours used × electricity unit rate = running cost. At 26.32p/kWh, a 200W dehumidifier costs about 5.3p for one hour of continuous power draw.

Dehumidifier running cost UK: quick table

The examples below use the Ofgem average electricity unit rate of 26.32p/kWh for Direct Debit standard variable tariffs in England, Scotland and Wales from 1 October to 31 December 2026. They assume the appliance draws the stated wattage continuously while switched on.

Rated power Approx. cost per hour 4 hours/day for 30 days 8 hours/day for 30 days
150W 3.9p £4.74 £9.48
200W 5.3p £6.32 £12.63
250W 6.6p £7.90 £15.79
300W 7.9p £9.48 £18.95
500W 13.2p £15.79 £31.58

These are electricity-use examples, not guaranteed bills. Your tariff and the appliance’s actual duty cycle determine the final cost. The household standing charge is not included because you pay it regardless of whether the dehumidifier is running.

How to calculate the cost of running your dehumidifier

Find the appliance’s rated power on the label, manual or manufacturer’s specification page. Convert watts to kilowatts by dividing by 1,000, then multiply by the number of hours and your electricity unit rate.

Example: 200W ÷ 1,000 = 0.2kW. At 26.32p/kWh, 0.2 × 26.32p = about 5.26p per hour. Four continuous hours would therefore cost about 21.1p.

If you know your actual electricity tariff, use that rather than the national average. You can also enter the wattage, hours and tariff directly into the AurumPick Electricity Cost Calculator UK.

Why the real running cost may be lower than wattage × hours

A dehumidifier with a humidistat does not necessarily run its compressor or heater at full power every minute it is switched on. When the room reaches the target relative humidity, many models cycle the compressor off and on or move into a lower-power monitoring state.

That means a simple calculation based on rated wattage and total switched-on time is useful as a conservative comparison, but it can overstate the actual electricity used once humidity is under control.

The opposite can also happen in a very damp room: the machine may run close to continuously for long periods until moisture levels fall. Laundry mode can also keep the fan and moisture-removal system working harder for longer.

Do not compare dehumidifiers on watts alone. A lower-power appliance that takes much longer to remove the same moisture is not automatically cheaper overall. Extraction efficiency, room temperature and humidistat control matter too.

Compressor vs desiccant: which costs less to run?

In a normally heated UK home, a compressor or refrigerant dehumidifier will usually use less electricity than a desiccant model of similar purpose. Efficient compressor machines commonly sit around the 150–300W range under normal room conditions.

Desiccant dehumidifiers use a heater to regenerate the moisture-absorbing material, so their power draw can be much higher. The trade-off is that they keep removing moisture more effectively at low temperatures, which can make them a better fit for an unheated garage, cold utility room or winter conservatory.

Type Typical use case Energy pattern
Compressor Heated bedrooms, living rooms, normal indoor temperatures Usually lower wattage; efficiency falls as temperature drops
Desiccant Cold garages, utility rooms and unheated spaces Higher wattage but stronger low-temperature performance

Running-cost examples from current dehumidifiers

Manufacturer specifications show how large the variation can be between models and operating conditions.

MeacoDry Arete Two 20L

Meaco states 207W at 20°C and 60% relative humidity. At 26.32p/kWh, that is approximately 5.4p per hour if it continuously draws 207W.

MeacoDry Arete Two 10L

At a stated 136W under the same 20°C/60% RH conditions, the simple continuous-use calculation is about 3.6p per hour.

Pro Breeze 20L Premium

Pro Breeze states 270W, which works out at approximately 7.1p per hour at 26.32p/kWh.

EcoAir DD1 Classic MK6

This desiccant model is specified at 300W on low and 580W on high. That is about 7.9p per hour on low and 15.3p per hour on high at 26.32p/kWh.

For a broader comparison of capacity, temperature range, noise and features, see Best Dehumidifiers UK 2026.

How much does it cost to use a dehumidifier for drying laundry?

For laundry, the most useful comparison is the cost of the complete drying session rather than the hourly number alone. If a 200W compressor dehumidifier runs at full draw for six hours, the simple calculation at 26.32p/kWh is around 32p. A 270W model for six hours would be around 43p.

Actual use can be lower if the humidistat cycles the compressor or higher if the room is cold, the load is very wet or the cycle lasts longer. Drying clothes in a closed room with sensible airflow generally allows the appliance to work on a smaller volume of air than trying to dehumidify an entire open-plan home at the same time.

Indoor laundry adds moisture to the home. A dehumidifier can help manage that moisture, but keep designed ventilation working and follow the appliance manufacturer’s clearance and placement instructions.

How to reduce dehumidifier running costs

  • Use the humidistat: target a sensible humidity instead of running continuously without a control point.
  • Close the room while treating it: do not make the appliance dehumidify the whole house unless that is the goal.
  • Keep filters clean: restricted airflow can reduce performance.
  • Match the technology to the temperature: a compressor model may be inefficient in a very cold room, while a desiccant model can be unnecessarily power-hungry in a warm bedroom.
  • Fix the moisture source: extraction fans, leaks and ventilation problems should not be replaced by permanent appliance use.
  • Compare your actual tariff: off-peak or fixed tariffs may differ substantially from the Ofgem average.

Current electricity rate used in this guide

Ofgem’s average electricity unit rate for Direct Debit standard variable tariffs is 26.32p/kWh from 1 October to 31 December 2026 in England, Scotland and Wales.

For accurate personal costs, always replace the example unit rate with the rate shown on your own electricity tariff.

FAQs

How much does a 200W dehumidifier cost per hour?

At 26.32p/kWh, 200W of continuous power draw costs about 5.3p per hour.

How much does a dehumidifier cost per month?

It depends on wattage and runtime. A 200W unit running continuously for four hours a day would cost about £6.32 over 30 days at 26.32p/kWh. Eight hours a day would be about £12.63 before allowing for humidistat cycling.

Is it cheaper to leave a dehumidifier on all day?

There is no universal saving from leaving it on continuously. A humidistat-controlled appliance can cycle once the target humidity is reached, but unnecessary operation still uses electricity. Set an appropriate target and let the controls manage the room rather than forcing continuous mode without a reason.

Does a dehumidifier use a lot of electricity?

Efficient compressor models often use a few hundred watts rather than kilowatts, so their hourly cost can be modest. Desiccant models generally draw more power, particularly on high settings.

Does the standing charge affect dehumidifier running cost?

No additional standing charge is caused by the dehumidifier. The standing charge is paid for having an electricity supply, so appliance comparisons normally use only the unit rate per kWh.

Can a dehumidifier reduce heating costs?

Do not assume it will directly save more on heating than it costs to run. Lower humidity can improve comfort in some situations, but heating demand depends on the building, ventilation, temperature and heat loss. Use a dehumidifier to manage excess moisture, not as a guaranteed heating-cost-saving device.

Explore the full Damp, Drying & Dehumidifiers UK hub for related guides on moisture control, indoor laundry and dehumidifiers.

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