How many watts does a dehumidifier use?

A dehumidifier draws 380–770 watts while running, which is 3.2–6.4 amps on a 120 V circuit.

Dehumidifier watts, amps and circuit

Typical power use of a dehumidifier
Running watts	380–770 W
Voltage	120 V
Running amps	3.2–6.4 A
Circuit	standard 120 V outlet

Also called: basement dehumidifier.

Dehumidifier watts by size and type

Running and starting watts of dehumidifier types
Size or type	Running watts, W	Volts, V	Amps, A	Starting watts, W
Dehumidifier	380–770	120	3.2–6.4	—
35 pint	380–590	120	3.2–4.9	—
50 pint	593–770	120	4.9–6.4	—

Watts of dehumidifier types. The lighter part of a bar is the upper end of the typical range.

What size generator runs a dehumidifier?

A dehumidifier needs a generator that supplies at least 770 running watts. Starting a dehumidifier takes a short surge of several times its running watts, and the surge is not listed here: size the generator from the locked-rotor amps (LRA) on the nameplate or the maker's generator guidance, not from the running watts.

How long a portable power station runs a dehumidifier

Runtime of a dehumidifier on a portable power station, at 85% inverter efficiency
Battery capacity, Wh	At 770 W, h	At 380 W, h
500	0.6	1.1
1,000	1.1	2.2
2,000	2.2	4.5
3,600	4	8.1

A 500 Wh portable power station runs a dehumidifier drawing 770 W for about 0.6 hours at 85% inverter efficiency. Runtime = capacity × 85% ÷ watts; the 85% efficiency is an assumption. The power station's AC output must be at least 770 W.

What it costs to run a dehumidifier

Running a dehumidifier at 575 W, the middle of its 380–770 W range, for one hour a day uses 209.9 kWh a year. That costs about $38 a year at $0.18 per kWh, the US average residential price for August 2026.

Power

Use per day

Electricity price

$/kWh

Your bill's total ÷ kWh used. 0.18 is the US residential average.

Result

$3.15 / month

Per day: $0.10
Per year: $38
Energy per day: 0.58 kWh
Energy per month: 17.5 kWh

How it is calculated

kWh per day = 575 W × 1 h ÷ 1,000 = 0.575
Per month = 0.575 kWh × 30.4 days × $0.18 = $3.15

What affects dehumidifier power use

A dehumidifier is a small compressor and fan, and capacity in pints per day sets the draw. It cycles off when the room reaches the set humidity. ENERGY STAR models remove more water per kilowatt-hour.

How the amps are calculated

Amps = watts ÷ volts. For 770 W at 120 V that is 6.4 A. The 380–770 W range covers typical models; the nameplate on a dehumidifier gives the exact figure.