Cost to Run a 400-watt dehumidifier for 5 hours in California
Running a 400-watt dehumidifier for 5 hours uses 2 kWh and costs $0.64 at $0.32/kWh in California. Do that every day and it adds up to $19.20 a month.
Calculate your own cost
- Per hour
- $0.1280.4 kWh
- Per day
- $0.642 kWh
- Per week
- $4.4814 kWh
- Per month (30 days)
- $19.2060 kWh
- Per year
- $233.60730 kWh
Formula: watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × rate. Edit any box and every number updates instantly.
People also ask
How much does a 400-watt dehumidifier cost per hour?
At $0.32/kWh, it costs $0.128 per hour. The maths: 400 W ÷ 1,000 = 0.4 kWh per hour, × $0.32 = $0.128.
How much does it cost per month?
Used 5 hours a day for 30 days, it costs about $19.20 per month and uses 60 kWh. Change the hours in the calculator above to match how you use it.
How many kWh does it use?
2 kWh per day, 60 kWh per month and 730 kWh per year at 5 hours a day. A kWh is one kilowatt (1,000 W) used for one hour. It is the unit on your electricity bill.
How can I lower the cost?
Set the target to 45 to 50% humidity. Lower than that wastes electricity. Check your bill for the exact rate and enter it above.
Does my electricity rate change the answer?
Yes, a lot. At 10¢ per kWh the monthly cost is $6.00 and at 30¢ it is $18.00. Find your rate on your bill (total cost ÷ kWh used) and type it into the calculator.
Cost by hours of use in California
| Used per day | Energy per day | Cost per day | Cost per month | Cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.4 kWh | $0.128 | $3.84 | $46.72 |
| 2 hours | 0.8 kWh | $0.256 | $7.68 | $93.44 |
| 3 hours | 1.2 kWh | $0.384 | $11.52 | $140.16 |
| 4 hours | 1.6 kWh | $0.512 | $15.36 | $186.88 |
| 5 hours | 2 kWh | $0.64 | $19.20 | $233.60 |
| 6 hours | 2.4 kWh | $0.768 | $23.04 | $280.32 |
| 7 hours | 2.8 kWh | $0.896 | $26.88 | $327.04 |
| 8 hours | 3.2 kWh | $1.02 | $30.72 | $373.76 |
| 9 hours | 3.6 kWh | $1.15 | $34.56 | $420.48 |
| 10 hours | 4 kWh | $1.28 | $38.40 | $467.20 |
| 11 hours | 4.4 kWh | $1.41 | $42.24 | $513.92 |
| 12 hours | 4.8 kWh | $1.54 | $46.08 | $560.64 |
| 13 hours | 5.2 kWh | $1.66 | $49.92 | $607.36 |
| 14 hours | 5.6 kWh | $1.79 | $53.76 | $654.08 |
| 15 hours | 6 kWh | $1.92 | $57.60 | $700.80 |
| 16 hours | 6.4 kWh | $2.05 | $61.44 | $747.52 |
| 17 hours | 6.8 kWh | $2.18 | $65.28 | $794.24 |
| 18 hours | 7.2 kWh | $2.30 | $69.12 | $840.96 |
| 19 hours | 7.6 kWh | $2.43 | $72.96 | $887.68 |
| 20 hours | 8 kWh | $2.56 | $76.80 | $934.40 |
| 21 hours | 8.4 kWh | $2.69 | $80.64 | $981.12 |
| 22 hours | 8.8 kWh | $2.82 | $84.48 | $1,027.84 |
| 23 hours | 9.2 kWh | $2.94 | $88.32 | $1,074.56 |
| 24 hours | 9.6 kWh | $3.07 | $92.16 | $1,121.28 |
How we worked it out
- Energy per hour: 400 W ÷ 1,000 = 0.4 kWh
- Cost per hour: 0.4 kWh × $0.32 = $0.128
- Cost per day: × 5 hours = $0.64
- Month and year: × 30 days = $19.20, × 365 days = $233.60
California electricity prices
California pays about $0.32 per kWh, which is 83% higher than the US average of $0.175. The same dehumidifier would cost $10.50 a month at the national average.
What it costs in different places
Same 400-watt dehumidifier, 5 hours a day. Only the local electricity rate changes.
| Place | Rate per kWh | Cost per month |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $0.175 | $10.50 |
| California | $0.32 | $19.20 |
| Texas | $0.155 | $9.30 |
| New York | $0.25 | $15.00 |
| Florida | $0.155 | $9.30 |
| Illinois | $0.17 | $10.20 |
| Pennsylvania | $0.18 | $10.80 |
| Ohio | $0.17 | $10.20 |
| Washington | $0.115 | $6.90 |
About dehumidifier running costs
A dehumidifier cycles on and off with a humidistat, so real running time is well under 24 hours.
Typical sizes: 250 W, 400 W, 500 W, 700 W.
How to spend less: Set the target to 45 to 50% humidity. Lower than that wastes electricity.
What this estimate assumes
- The appliance draws its full stated wattage the whole time it is on. Real units with a thermostat cycle off and cost less.
- Wattage is the typical label value, not a measured value. Check the label on your own appliance.
- The rate is an approximate residential average in California. Your bill may include fixed fees, tiers or time-of-use pricing. Edit the rate above.
- A month is 30 days and a year is 365 days.