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How many watts does a dehumidifier use? (500 W)
A dehumidifier uses about 500 W
Typical range 300–700 watts, plus ~1 W on standby.
Typical range 300–700 watts, plus ~1 W on standby.
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A dehumidifier runs a small compressor for long stretches, so even modest wattage adds up over a damp season.
Dehumidifier power specs
| Typical running power | 500 W |
| Typical range | 300–700 W |
| Startup surge | 900 W |
| Standby draw | 1 W |
| Energy use | 4.00 kWh/day · 120.0 kWh/mo |
What affects a dehumidifier's wattage
A dehumidifier is rated around 500 W, but the real figure shifts with a few things:
- Model and rating: A dehumidifier ranges from about 300 W on efficient units to 700 W on larger or older ones — a spread of ~400 W.
- Usage: the real draw depends on the water temperature you pick — heating water, not the motor, drives the draw.
- Startup surge: the motor can briefly spike to about 900 W at start-up, well above the 500 W running figure.
- Standby: even idle it keeps drawing ~1 W, which quietly adds up over a year.
- Run time: because a dehumidifier runs for long stretches (about 8 h/day), hours of use matter as much as raw wattage on your bill.
Running cost at $0.17/kWh
| Electricity rate | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.10/kWh | $0.40 | $12.00 | $146.00 |
| $0.15/kWh | $0.60 | $18.00 | $219.00 |
| $0.20/kWh | $0.80 | $24.00 | $292.00 |
| $0.25/kWh | $1.00 | $30.00 | $365.00 |
| $0.30/kWh | $1.20 | $36.00 | $438.00 |
| $0.40/kWh | $1.60 | $48.00 | $584.00 |
See the full breakdown of what it costs to run a dehumidifier, or what size power station runs a dehumidifier.
FAQ
How many watts does a dehumidifier use?
Typically 300-700 watts while the compressor runs.
How much does a dehumidifier cost to run?
Running 8 hours a day, expect a few dollars a week at average electricity rates.
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