Dry Home Advice Static reference table
Dehumidifier running cost table UK
Use this quick table to sanity-check running costs before buying. Figures use an example electricity price of 25p/kWh. Your tariff, humidity setting and how often the unit cycles on/off will change the real cost.
Quick takeaway
A bigger unit is not always more expensive in real use
Higher wattage costs more per hour, but a better-sized unit may remove moisture faster and cycle off sooner. Compare wattage, room size and daily run time together.
Running cost before you buy: match cost to the damp problem
A low-wattage model can be false economy for indoor laundry or persistently high humidity. Use this table with the humidity chart and the buyer finder so you compare likely run time, not just the headline wattage.
How to interpret the table
- Bedrooms: often run at lower wattage and shorter daily periods once humidity is under control.
- Laundry: can need longer sessions, so daily hours matter as much as wattage.
- Cold rooms: desiccant models may draw more power but can work better when compressor models struggle.
- Severe damp: running cost is not the only factor — leaks or structural damp need fixing first.
Next step before buying
If the table looks affordable, check whether your room needs a small, medium or larger-capacity model. If it looks expensive, focus on fixing moisture sources and using a hygrometer to avoid unnecessary run time.