How Much Does a Dehumidifier Cost to Run? Do the Maths

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“Only a few pence an hour” sounds reassuring. But how many hours, at which setting, and using whose electricity tariff?

The useful figure is the cost of doing the job in your home. You can estimate it with a simple calculation, then measure it if you want a better answer.

The running-cost formula:

Cost in pounds = watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × electricity price in pounds per kWh.

For a machine drawing 200 watts continuously for six hours, at an illustrative tariff of 30p per kWh:

200 ÷ 1,000 × 6 × £0.30 = £0.36.

That is 36p for those six hours. Use the unit rate on your own bill. The 30p figure here is an example, not a claim about today’s average UK tariff. Your daily standing charge is excluded because this calculation measures the appliance’s additional electricity use.

Three useful Meaco examples

The following figures use Meaco’s published power consumption at 20°C and 60% relative humidity, with our same illustrative 30p tariff. The totals assume six hours continuously at that stated draw.

Manufacturer sources: Arete One 12L, Arete Two 20L and DD8L Pro.

These are worked examples, not measured household bills. The DD8L Pro row uses its highest fan setting; its published lower settings draw less. Temperature, humidity, mode and cycling change actual consumption.

Why the lowest wattage does not always win

Imagine one machine draws 150W for ten hours, while another draws 250W for five hours. The first uses 1.5kWh; the second uses 1.25kWh. At our example tariff, that is 45p versus 37.5p.

This is an illustration, not a test result for two named products. It shows why a larger appliance can sometimes cost less to complete a particular task. You need extraction figures at comparable conditions and actual runtime to make that judgement.

Measure a normal week

For a clearer household answer, use a suitable plug-in energy monitor that records kWh, following both products’ instructions. Record a laundry session and a few normal days. Multiply the measured kWh by your tariff.

Then compare sessions honestly. Was the same amount of washing drying? Was the room colder? Was the target lower? A test with different starting conditions can give you the wrong impression.

Useful accessory: Compare compatible plug-in energy monitors and current buyer reviews on Amazon UK (paid link) 

Make the machine’s job easier

Keep the filter maintained, give the airflow space and use humidity control rather than chasing the lowest possible reading. Reduce avoidable moisture at source, too. Meaco’s running-cost guidance identifies household moisture and operating time as key factors. Read its running-cost advice.

When buying, compare the conditions behind the figures. A cold utility room and a warm hallway may suit different technologies. A low-wattage compressor model that struggles in your room can be poor value for the task.

What to compare next

For everyday use in a heated home, investigate a compressor model with automatic humidity control. For colder spaces, check desiccant options and budget for the selected setting.

Compare the Arete Two 20L at Meaco (paid link) 

Check its current price and buyer reviews on Amazon UK (paid link) 

The right purchase is the one that manages your moisture load at a cost you understand. Start with your tariff, then look at the job you need it to do.

If laundry is the main reason for buying, follow our drying setup guide. For capacity decisions, compare Arete Two sizes.

Frequently Asked Questions