--- title: "Dehumidifier running costs: popular models compared | Home Comfort Lab" description: "What each popular dehumidifier costs per hour and per month at the current price cap, from its rated power." url: https://homecomfortlab.co.uk/damp/dehumidifier-running-costs/ --- # Dehumidifier running costs: popular models compared What each popular dehumidifier costs per hour and per month at the current price cap, from its rated power. By [Pete Harvey](https://homecomfortlab.co.uk/about/), editor. Updated 14 October 2026. This page links to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. [More about how this site is paid for](https://homecomfortlab.co.uk/affiliate-disclosure/). > **The short answer** > > The cheapest model to run in our list is the MeacoDry ABC 10L at 5.2p an hour. Compressor models average **297W**, about 7.8p an hour. Desiccant models average **633W**, about 17p an hour, but keep working in cold rooms. Costs use **26.32p per kWh**, the [Ofgem price cap, Direct Debit average for England, Scotland and Wales](https://ofgem.gov.uk/news/changes-energy-price-cap-between-1-october-and-31-december-2026) for 1 October to 31 December 2026. Your own tariff may differ. [How we calculate](https://homecomfortlab.co.uk/how-we-calculate/). Dehumidifier running costs by model | Model | Type | Litres a day | Power | Per hour | Per month at 6h a day | Noise | Link | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | MeacoDry ABC 10L | Compressor | 10 | 198W | 5.2p | £9.51 | 36dB | [Amazon](https://homecomfortlab.co.uk/go/dh-comp-10a/) | | Pro Breeze OmniDry 12L | Compressor | 12 | 200W | 5.3p | £9.60 | 36dB | [Amazon](https://homecomfortlab.co.uk/go/dh-comp-12a/) | | Meaco 20L Low Energy | Compressor | 20 | 280W | 7.4p | £13.44 | 46dB | [Amazon](https://homecomfortlab.co.uk/go/dh-comp-16a/) | | MeacoDry Arete One 25L | Compressor | 25 | 365W | 9.6p | £17.52 | 40dB | [Amazon](https://homecomfortlab.co.uk/go/dh-comp-25a/) | | Pro Breeze 20L Premium Dehumidifier | Compressor | 20 | 440W | 12p | £21.12 | 42dB | [Amazon](https://homecomfortlab.co.uk/go/dh-comp-20a/) | | EcoAir DD1 Simple MK3 | Desiccant | 7.5 | 580W | 15p | £27.84 | 34dB | [Amazon](https://homecomfortlab.co.uk/go/dh-des-7a/) | | Meaco DD8L | Desiccant | 7.5 | 650W | 17p | £31.20 | 39dB | [Amazon](https://homecomfortlab.co.uk/go/dh-des-8a/) | | EcoAir DD3 Simple | Desiccant | 10 | 670W | 18p | £32.17 | 45dB | [Amazon](https://homecomfortlab.co.uk/go/dh-des-10a/) | | Pro Breeze 12L Compact Dehumidifier | Compressor | 12 | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | 42dB | [Amazon](https://homecomfortlab.co.uk/go/dh-comp-12b/) | ## Reading the table Power is the rated figure from the manufacturer. For desiccant models it is the higher of their two settings; on low they draw roughly half to two-thirds as much. "Per month" assumes six hours a day, a common pattern for someone running a dehumidifier in the day or while drying washing. Use the [running cost calculator](https://homecomfortlab.co.uk/tools/running-cost-calculator/) for your own hours. Most dehumidifiers have a humidistat: once the room reaches the humidity you set, the compressor or heater switches off and only the fan runs. In a room that is already fairly dry, real costs are often well below the figures here. ## Why desiccant models cost more A desiccant dehumidifier uses a heater to dry out its absorbent wheel, and the heater is most of its power use. That heat isn't wasted, because it warms the room slightly, and in a cold garage or an unheated room a desiccant model collects far more water than a compressor model would. In a heated home a compressor model does the same job for much less. [Dehumidifier size calculator](https://homecomfortlab.co.uk/tools/dehumidifier-size-calculator/): Answer four questions about your home and get the dehumidifier size and type that suits it, with what it will cost to run. ## Read next - [What size dehumidifier do I need?](https://homecomfortlab.co.uk/tools/dehumidifier-size-calculator/) (Calculator) Answer four questions about your home and get the dehumidifier size and type that suits it, with what it will cost to run. - [Dehumidifier noise and capacity table](https://homecomfortlab.co.uk/damp/dehumidifier-noise-and-capacity/) (Running costs) Every model we list, with its extraction rate, tank size, noise level and power, in one sortable table. - [Does a dehumidifier lower your heating bills?](https://homecomfortlab.co.uk/heating/does-a-dehumidifier-lower-heating-bills/) (How to) A drier home can be a little easier to heat, but a dehumidifier costs money to run. When it is worth running one and when it is not. - [Compressor vs desiccant dehumidifier: which do you need?](https://homecomfortlab.co.uk/damp/compressor-vs-desiccant-dehumidifier/) (Buying guide) Compressor models are cheaper to run in a heated home; desiccant models work better in cold rooms. How to choose. --- As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Links to shops are marked, and earning from them never decides what we recommend. [How this site is paid for](https://homecomfortlab.co.uk/affiliate-disclosure/). Running costs use 26.32p per kWh for electricity and 7.97p per kWh for gas, the [Ofgem price cap, Direct Debit average for England, Scotland and Wales](https://ofgem.gov.uk/news/changes-energy-price-cap-between-1-october-and-31-december-2026) for 1 October to 31 December 2026.