Dehumidifier running cost calculator

Work out what your dehumidifier costs to run in the UK — per hour, day, week, month and winter — at the current Ofgem price cap rate of 26.32p/kWh.

By Matthew Smart · Rates correct as of 5 October 2026

How to use it

1Enter the wattage from the rating plate — 250W is typical for a 12–20L compressor model, and desiccant models are usually 400–650W.
2Set how many hours a day you actually run it. Six hours is a realistic figure for drying laundry in a closed room.
3Leave the rate at 26.32p/kWh (the Ofgem Energy Price Cap from 1 October) or type the rate from your own bill.

Dehumidifier running cost calculator

Enter your dehumidifier’s wattage (it is on the rating plate on the back or underneath), how long you run it each day and your electricity rate. The figures update as you type.

Dehumidifier wattage(W)

From the rating plate. Compressor models are typically 165–350W; desiccant models 400–650W.

Hours used per day(hours)

Your electricity rate(p/kWh)

Pre-filled with the Ofgem Energy Price Cap unit rate for 1 October – 31 December 2026. Change it to the rate on your own bill.

Your estimate

Per hour: 6.6p
Per day: 39.5p
Per week: £2.76
Per monthBased on a 30.4-day month: £12.00
Per winter1 October – 31 March (182 days): £71.85

Assumes 250W drawn for 6 hours a day at 26.32p per kWh (Ofgem Energy Price Cap, 1 October – 31 December 2026). Rates correct as of 5 October 2026.

What this figure does and does not cover

This is the cost of the dehumidifier drawing its full rated power for the hours you enter. In practice a compressor dehumidifier cycles off once it reaches the humidity you have set, so your real bill is usually lower than the number below — often by a third over a full day. Desiccant models draw close to their rated power the whole time they are on, so for those the figure is close to the truth. It does not include the cost of any heater or fan you run alongside it.

Rates correct as of 5 October 2026. Updated each time the price cap changes.

Dehumidifier running costs explained Dehumidifier buying guide Best dehumidifier for drying clothes