Estimate the daily, monthly and yearly running cost of a dehumidifier for damp control, persistent moisture or drying clothes indoors.
Last reviewed: 16 April 2026 - UK-focused estimate, not a product test
A dehumidifier is often cheaper to run than extra direct electric heating when the main job is managing moisture or helping clothes dry indoors. The real question is not only the cost, but whether the unit is the right size and whether a drying route like a heated airer or tumble dryer would suit the job better.
Use the rated wattage if you know it. Clothes-drying and persistent-damp patterns often run for longer than people first assume.
A dehumidifier used for laundry drying behaves differently from one left on to keep a chronically damp room under control. Use the mode that best matches the real job.
Check whether the unit size suits the room and moisture load.
Best when the real question is whether there is a cheaper way to dry indoor washing.
Move here if your comparison is between laundry tools rather than moisture control methods.