APPLIANCE RUNNING COSTS · OCT–DEC 2026
How much does a dehumidifier cost to run?
Compressor dehumidifiers typically draw around 200 W; desiccant models, which suit colder rooms, use more. At the GB average price-cap electricity rate of 26.32p per kWh for October–December 2026, a dehumidifier costs about 5.7p an hour at full power, or 45p for a typical 8-hour day.
PER HOUR
5.7pat 216 W, full powerPER DAY
45p1.73 kWh over 8 hoursPER WEEK
£3.187 days a week (assumed)PER YEAR
£166631 kWh at the assumed useWork out your own cost
Choose your region or type in your own unit rate, then change the wattage and hours to match your appliance and how you use it. It starts with a week at our assumed use, averaged to hours a day.
12.1 kWh over 7 days · about £0.45 a day
How much electricity it uses
- The MeacoDry Arete One 20L compressor dehumidifier draws 216 W at 20°C and 60% relative humidity.
- The Meaco DD8L Zambezi desiccant dehumidifier draws 351 W on fan speed 1 and 656 W on fan speed 2.
| Example | Rated power | Per hour | Per day | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical | 216 W | 5.7p | 45p | £166 |
| Higher | 656 W | 17p | £1.38 | £504 |
Usage assumption: Eight hours a day at the rated power, every day. This is our illustration, not a measured average; change it in the calculator.
What drives the cost
- Type: compressor or desiccant.
- Humidity setting and hours run: most switch off when the target humidity is reached.
- Room temperature: compressor models extract less water in cold rooms.
How it compares
| Appliance | Typical use | Energy | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dehumidifier | 1 day, 8 hours | 1.73 kWh | 45p |
| Heated clothes airer | 1 load, 4 hours | 1.20 kWh | 32p |
| Tumble dryer (heat pump) | 1 load | 1.44 kWh | 38p |
Ways to spend less
- Set a target humidity rather than running continuously, so the machine switches off when the room is dry enough.
Unit rates vary by region: this period they run from 25.36p per kWh in East Midlands to 27.86p in Merseyside and Northern Wales. See every region’s rate →
Questions
How much does a dehumidifier cost to run per hour?
At 26.32p per kWh (the GB average price-cap rate, October–December 2026, Direct Debit, 0% VAT), a dehumidifier rated at 216 W costs about 5.7p an hour at full power. Models from 216 W to 656 W cost 5.7p to 17p an hour.
How much does a dehumidifier cost to run a year?
It depends on how much you use it. Our assumption is eight hours a day at the rated power, every day. At 26.32p per kWh that comes to about £166 a year (631 kWh). Change the hours or uses in the calculator to match your own.
Does the cost depend on where I live?
Yes, a little. Price-cap electricity unit rates for October–December 2026 range from 25.36p per kWh in East Midlands to 27.86p in Merseyside and Northern Wales. Pick your region in the calculator, or enter the unit rate from your bill if you are on a fixed or time-of-use tariff.
About these figures
Running costs are energy used × unit rate. They exclude the daily standing charge, which you pay whether or not the appliance runs. Costs per hour assume the appliance draws its full rated power the whole time; many appliances cycle on and off, so real use is often lower. Power ratings and energy figures are examples from the sources below, not a measured UK average.
Other appliances
- Heated clothes airer
- Tumble dryer (heat pump)
- Electric fan heater
- Portable air conditioner
- All 32 appliances →
Sources
- MeacoDry Arete One 20L dehumidifier ↗216 W at 20°C and 60% relative humidity (compressor).
- Meaco DD8L Zambezi desiccant dehumidifier ↗351 W at fan speed 1, 656 W at fan speed 2 (desiccant).
- Ofgem: energy price cap unit rates and standing charges ↗GB average electricity unit rate and VAT basis, October–December 2026.
Last updated 11 October 2026. Figures are dated benchmarks taken from the sources above. How we use sources →