How much does a dehumidifier cost to run?

A stuffy room, foggy windows, mouldy surfaces, and a musty indoor smell are all signs you have a high humidity problem. Getting a dehumidifier will help reduce indoor humidity, improve air quality, and ensure you enjoy the best health. Before you get a dehumidifier, here is everything you need to know about dehumidifier running costs.

A common misconception is that dehumidifiers are expensive to operate because of their high energy requirements. However, there are modern and high-end dehumidifiers that are capable of filtering out 12L to 20L of excess humidity while only using 185 watts and 378 watts of power.  You only need to know where to look!

It is normal to want an efficient way to control high humidity, but are worried about high dehumidifier running costs. Especially with the rising cost of energy in the UK. Fortunately, you can enjoy ample relative humidity at home without breaking the bank if you know the best type of dehumidifier to go for.

Here are some secret tips you can implement in your home, office, or garage, to reduce dehumidifier running costs.

1) Choose a high-quality dehumidifier

Modern high-quality dehumidifiers are more energy-efficient compared to their conventional counterparts. They are designed with energy-saving features that work spontaneously or can be set by the user for optimal humidity control. There are top-notch dehumidifiers that do a better job of improving indoor air quality than a normal AC unit.

2) Check the power rating

A dehumidifier’s power rating, measured in watts, can quickly tell you if the unit will be energy efficient or not. Generally, the higher the power rating, the more energy the unit is perceived to use. However, nothing is set in stone, as you can still tweak a high-powered dehumidifier to run efficiently and reduce energy costs.

When you narrow down the best high-quality units on the market, choose the one with the lowest power rating. For example, a top-quality dehumidifier like the Morris 36db portable dehumidifier filters up to 12L of indoor humidity and only consumes 185 watts of power.

If you are living in a highly humid environment, a more powerful dehumidifier will work faster to reduce humidity down to optimal levels. A unit like the 378-watt Morris Dehumidifier with a 24-hour timer will suffice in this case. The built-in timer helps you set the dehumidifier to run at specific hours to reduce energy costs.

3) Choose a dehumidifier with fast drainage

The faster a dehumidifier drains, the shorter the time it takes to reduce high humidity. A 12L portable dehumidifier has enough capacity to filter as much moisture from the environment to reduce humidity. Besides a large tank capacity, the Morris line of 12L dehumidifiers also includes a fast drainage port that will shorten operation time and, hence, reduce dehumidifier running costs.

4) Refrigerant vs desiccant dehumidifiers

If the cost to run a dehumidifier is of great concern, then you will have to choose between a refrigerant or a desiccant dehumidifier based on the climate in your region. Desiccant dehumidifiers are ideal for reducing humidity in cold regions. Refrigerant dehumidifiers go the extra mile of being cheaper to run and are more energy efficient compared to desiccant dehumidifiers.

5) Go for more smart features

Always look for more smart features that will reduce the cost to run a dehumidifier in your home, office, garden, or hobbyist room. Some Morris Smart Dehumidifiers have built-in Wi-Fi that allows you to control the unit using a mobile app. This gives you more freedom to run the dehumidifier effectively while monitoring its energy consumption whether at home or when out and about.

6) Check the fan speeds

Another hidden tip that will reduce dehumidifier running costs is monitoring fan speeds. Most quality dehumidifiers will have smart features for controlling fan speed. The lower the fan speed, the less energy the unit will consume. This setting is ideal when maintaining optimal humidity levels in your home or office.

Alternatively, allow your dehumidifier to run on high fan speed to reduce indoor humidity faster. However, reduce the running time to say 2 hours to 3 hours to reduce energy consumption and eventually electricity costs.

More tips for reducing dehumidifier running costs

• Improve ventilation in your home. A dehumidifier will only reduce high humidity, but it does nothing for the heat. Add an AC to circulate cool air and make a room feel comfortable within minutes. This will reduce your dependency on the dehumidifier, hence reducing running time and cost. While at it, ensure you know how much it will cost to run an air conditioner in each room, together with a dehumidifier.
• Find ways to reduce humidity levels before switching on the dehumidifier. Install an extractor fan above your stove to absorb steam while cooking. Take cold shorter showers during summer to reduce steam from the bathroom. Also, set a specific time for doing laundry and dishes to reduce the amount of moisture released into the air. Less moisture in the air means less work for your dehumidifier.
• Keep your dehumidifier well-maintained. Clean the inbuilt filter or replace it to facilitate a seamless flow of air. Always empty the inbuilt tank to create room for moisture extraction- dehumidifiers with smart features can alert you on when to empty the tank. Clean the condenser coils if they are covered in frost.
• Seal off any air entry points. In humid weather, air from outside carries moisture into your property, which makes the dehumidifier work harder to filter it out. Close all windows and doors while running the dehumidifier. Seal any cracks or gaps in your insulated walls for efficient humidity control.
• Dry any wet fabrics in your home. Ensure your laundry dries completely before taking it inside. Damp dirty clothes should be kept outside or in a well-ventilated room to reduce moisture build-up. If you have no drying space outside, a great alternative is using a dehumidifier to dry wet laundry.
• It can also be cheaper to run a tubular heater to reduce indoor moisture, which further reduces dehumidifier running costs. 
  
• Also, take your carpet outside during the hot, humid months. Carpet fabric can absorb moisture, which will be released into the air when it gets too hot.
• Add different kinds of plants to your home. Go for plants like ferns that do well in humid environments. These plants absorb moisture from the air, which helps reduce humidity.

• Set the dehumidifier to automatically shut off when optimal humidity is achieved. This should be when indoor humidity is below 50%.

Conclusion

Running a dehumidifier, especially in hot humid weather, can increase the cost of electricity in your home. However, with a few energy-saving secrets, you can reduce dehumidifier running costs and enjoy a comfortable indoor environment at any time. 

Start by choosing a high-quality portable dehumidifier designed with energy-saving features. Always check the power rating of a dehumidifier and ensure it is below 183 watts. A low-powered dehumidifier requires less energy to run and hence won't consume a lot of electricity. 

Consider a dehumidifier with a fast drainage port to reduce the time it takes to filter moisture from your home. In addition, choose a refrigerant dehumidifier which runs efficiently on low power in warm and humid environments. 

Always set fan speeds to low or medium to use less power and maintain optimal indoor humidity. Lastly, always go for dehumidifiers with smart features like Wi-Fi connectivity. Such features allow you to remotely monitor the dehumidifier ensuring it runs efficiently using less energy. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a dehumidifier cost to run?

How much it will cost to run a dehumidifier will depend on its power rating and your local electricity tariffs. 

The lower the power rating, the lower the dehumidifier running costs.

Use our electricity cost calculator below to know exactly the running cost of your dehumidifier!

1. Add the watts of your device.

2. Include the time in use.

3. Confirm if it’s in minutes or hours.

4. Voilà! Now you know the cost of your dehumidifier!

The calculator is using the current standard electricity tariff UK (27.0p/kWh) (1 October to 31 December 2023)

How much does a dehumidifier cost to run every day?

How much it will cost to run a dehumidifier daily will depend on how many hours you intend to leave it running. Initially, you may have to leave the unit running for more hours to contain the high humidity in your home, office, or garage. As humidity drops to optimal levels, you can set the unit to operate.

How much does it cost to run a small dehumidifier?

Small dehumidifiers require as little as 185 watts of electricity to run, making them more energy-efficient than larger dehumidifiers. Ensure the dehumidifier comes with smart features to make it more energy efficient. In addition, place the dehumidifier in a sealed and well-ventilated room to reduce energy consumption when running.

How much does it cost to run a 220W dehumidifier?

Please use our Morris Electricity Cost Calculator (above) to know the running cost of any device as well as the 220W dehumidifier!