- A compressor dehumidifier using 151 W costs 4p an hour, and a 330 W desiccant model 8.7p an hour. Running 8 hours a day at 330 W costs 69.5p.
- Prices from the Ofgem price cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026: the average for England, Scotland and Wales is 26.32p per kWh by Direct Debit. Your region and tariff change it, so use the calculator below.1
- Last checked: 28 October 2026.
Worried about bills this winter? See the help and savings you may be missing, free. Check my bills
How much does a dehumidifier cost per hour?
Costs for two published models, for 1, 8 and 24 hours.
| Power | 1 hour | 8 hours | 24 hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 151 W | 4p | 31.8p | 95.4p |
| 330 W | 8.7p | 69.5p | £2.08 |
How to work out the cost
Multiply the power in kilowatts by the hours it runs, then by your electricity unit rate. If the power is in watts, divide by 1,000 first.
For example: 330 W x 8 hours x 26.32p per kWh = 69.5p.1
That is the cost at full rated power. If a thermostat switches the appliance off once the room is warm, it uses less. Standing charges are paid whatever you use, so they are not part of the cost of switching it on.
Typical dehumidifier power
Meaco's Arete One 12L uses 151 W at 20 °C and 60% humidity (its test figure); the litres-a-day figure is measured at a stated test condition.2 Meaco's DD8L desiccant model lists “Power consumption 330 watts”.3 Models are named only as examples of published ratings, not recommendations.
Compressor models usually use less power than desiccant models, as these two examples show, but check the figure for yours.
A dehumidifier is not a fix for damp
GOV.UK guidance for rented housing providers in England says: “Moisture from normal occupant activities, such as showering, drying laundry and cooking, builds up in the air around a home if it cannot be removed.”4 It also says: “Simply removing surface mould will not prevent the damp and mould from reappearing.”4 If you rent and have damp, tell your landlord.
Next steps
1. Check your dehumidifier's power in watts.
2. Use its humidity setting or timer so it is not running all the time.
3. Work out your daily cost with the calculator above.
Dehumidifier or tumble dryer for laundry?
Meaco's 12L Low Energy model draws 157 W at 20°C and 60% humidity (138 W to 200 W across its tested conditions) and has a laundry mode.6
At 157 W, 6 hours costs 24.8p. It uses the same energy as one 2.16 kWh heat pump dryer load in about 13.8 hours, and one 5.34 kWh vented load in about 34 hours. That compares energy only, not drying times.
Help with energy bills
If you are struggling with energy bills, check the help you may be able to get. These checkers are free and need no account.
Who these figures cover
The prices are from Ofgem's price cap for England, Scotland and Wales, 1 October to 31 December 2026.1 In Northern Ireland, use the unit rate on your bill in the calculator.
There is no VAT on household electricity in England, Scotland and Wales, and the rates above already reflect this.1 HMRC: “The temporary zero rate applies from 1 October 2026 to 30 June 2027.” The Budget on 28 October 2026 extended it from 31 March (announced; the legislation is due in early 2027). Gas stays at 5% VAT.7