How much does a dehumidifier cost to run in the UK?

A compact 10–12L compressor dehumidifier draws about 160W, so it costs 3.9p an hour at 24.5p/kWh, or about 25p for 8 hours a day. A large 20L unit at around 400W costs 9.8p an hour.

How much does a 20L dehumidifier cost to run?

Around 9.8p an hour at full power for a typical 400W 20L unit, or about 63p a day running 8 hours with the humidistat switching it off 20% of the time. Check the wattage on the listing: 20L models range from roughly 300W to 500W.

Is a dehumidifier cheaper than a tumble dryer for drying clothes?

Usually, yes. A vented or condenser tumble dryer typically uses 2–5kWh a load (49p–£1.23 at 24.5p/kWh). A compact dehumidifier drying a load on an airer in a small closed room over about 6 hours uses roughly 1kWh (25p). A heat-pump tumble dryer is closer, at about 1–1.5kWh a load, and much faster.

Do desiccant dehumidifiers cost more to run?

Yes. A desiccant unit draws around 300–650W against roughly 160–250W for a compact compressor model, so it costs more per hour (16p at 650W). It earns that in cold rooms below about 15°C, such as garages, conservatories and unheated bedrooms, where compressor models lose much of their extraction.

How many hours a day should I run a dehumidifier?

Run it until the room holds around 50–60% relative humidity, then let the humidistat cycle it. Most homes need 6–10 hours a day in winter; drying laundry or treating a damp room after a leak can take longer. Running it with doors and windows closed is what keeps the cost down.

How much does a dehumidifier cost to run?

A compact 10–12L dehumidifier costs about 3.9p an hour and a large 20L unit about 9.8p an hour at the Oct 2026 price cap rate of 24.5p/kWh. Set your own unit, hours and tariff below.

Your dehumidifier

Hours per day

1h8h24h

Time at full power

20%80%100%

A compressor dehumidifier switches off when the room reaches its humidity setting, so it runs below full power for part of the time. Drying laundry keeps it working harder; a dry room much less.

Electricity rate (p/kWh)

p/kWh

UK Oct 2026 price cap: 24.5p/kWh

Days of use per damp season

10180 days365

Estimated running cost

Per day1.0 kWh: £0.25
Per month30 days: £7.53
Per damp season180 days: £45.16

Compared to (same hours, per month):

Heated airer (300W)£17.64/mo

Electric heater 2kW£70.56/mo

Extractor fan (10W)£0.59/mo

Dehumidifier running costs by type

Type	Hour†	Day*	Month*	Season*
Compact 10–12L (160W)	3.9p	25p	£7.53	£45
Mid 16L (250W)	6.1p	39p	£12	£71
Large 20L+ (400W)	9.8p	63p	£19	£113
Desiccant (650W)	16p	£1.02	£31	£183

†At full power. *8 hours a day at 80% of full power; damp season = 180 days (October to March). Wattages are typical for each type. 24.5p/kWh (Oct 2026 price cap).

Dehumidifiers in stock now, by running cost

Lower power is cheaper per hour, but a unit too small for the room runs for longer. Match extraction to the space: 10–12L a day for a flat or a couple of rooms, 20L for a damp house or daily laundry drying.

Unit	Extraction	Power	Hour†	Day*	Price
BLACK+DECKER BXAC65002GB 65W 650ml/day 5L Remote 24hr Timer 220-240V	5L/day	65W	1.6p/hr	10p	£50
HOMCOM D015R2D-12L Dehumidifier 12L/24h 210W Digital Display Timer White	12L/day	210W	5.1p/hr	33p	£42.30
KNKA PD22SC-12 Dehumidifier 16L/Day 3L Tank White 260W Timer Sleep	16L/day	260W	6.4p/hr	41p	£63.10
Bush D015B 12L Dehumidifier 2L Tank Laundry Drying Damp Condensation 280W	12L/day	280W	6.9p/hr	44p	£74.54
De'Longhi DEX212F Dehumidifier, White, 300 W, 12 liters, 0148512201, NEW/SEALED	12L/day	300W	7.3p/hr	47p	£156.75
Aqualine HYD-2968 Dehumidifier 20L/24h 310W White	20L/day	310W	7.6p/hr	49p	£83.90
Dehumidifier 20L Brand New 4.5L Water Tank Input Power 330W Damaged Box	20L/day	330W	8.1p/hr	52p	£52.70
Netta 20L/Day Dehumidifier 6.5L Tank 370W Timer Sleep OL20-BD030AM	20L/day	370W	9.1p/hr	58p	£94.30
Meaco DD8L Desiccant Dehumidifier 8L/Day 2L Tank Timer 650W White/Blue	8L/day	650W	16p/hr	£1.02	£104.70

†At full power. *8 hours at 80% of full power. In stock at the last check, lowest power first. Power is read from the retailer listing.

Every dehumidifier we track →Compressor vs desiccant →Best for damp homes →

FAQ

Dehumidifier running costs: common questions

How much does a dehumidifier cost to run in the UK?: A compact 10–12L compressor dehumidifier draws about 160W, so it costs 3.9p an hour at 24.5p/kWh, or about 25p for 8 hours a day. A large 20L unit at around 400W costs 9.8p an hour.
How much does a 20L dehumidifier cost to run?: Around 9.8p an hour at full power for a typical 400W 20L unit, or about 63p a day running 8 hours with the humidistat switching it off 20% of the time. Check the wattage on the listing: 20L models range from roughly 300W to 500W.
Is a dehumidifier cheaper than a tumble dryer for drying clothes?: Usually, yes. A vented or condenser tumble dryer typically uses 2–5kWh a load (49p–£1.23 at 24.5p/kWh). A compact dehumidifier drying a load on an airer in a small closed room over about 6 hours uses roughly 1kWh (25p). A heat-pump tumble dryer is closer, at about 1–1.5kWh a load, and much faster.
Do desiccant dehumidifiers cost more to run?: Yes. A desiccant unit draws around 300–650W against roughly 160–250W for a compact compressor model, so it costs more per hour (16p at 650W). It earns that in cold rooms below about 15°C, such as garages, conservatories and unheated bedrooms, where compressor models lose much of their extraction.
How many hours a day should I run a dehumidifier?: Run it until the room holds around 50–60% relative humidity, then let the humidistat cycle it. Most homes need 6–10 hours a day in winter; drying laundry or treating a damp room after a leak can take longer. Running it with doors and windows closed is what keeps the cost down.