The short answer
Compare suitable models removing moisture under comparable room conditions. Input kW × operating hours × tariff prices the electricity, but watts alone do not establish how much water is removed. Check each model’s temperature range and use measured energy for the task when available.
Compare a suitable appliance doing the same job
A wattage comparison prices the rate of electricity use. It does not tell you how much water each dehumidifier will remove, or whether each model is suitable for the room temperature.
Meaco’s manufacturer guidance describes how compressor performance can change in cooler conditions and how desiccant models can suit colder applications. Check the specific model’s operating range and performance data; a general type recommendation does not establish every model’s behavior.
Three quantities answer three questions
| Quantity | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Electrical input in W | The draw at the specified operating point |
| Water removed in litres or pints per day | Capacity under the stated conditions |
| Energy efficiency in litres per kWh | Water removal relative to electricity consumption under the stated test |
ENERGY STAR uses Integrated Energy Factor, or IEF, measured in litres per kWh. A higher value indicates more removal per unit of energy on that metric. It is not a household daily kWh figure.
Compare test conditions and definitions before putting two specification sheets side by side. Capacity figures obtained at different temperatures or humidities do not establish equal performance in your own room.
An illustrative cost per litre comparison
Consider two illustrative complete-task scenarios with the following energy and water amounts under comparable conditions:
| Measurement | Energy used | Water collected | Energy per litre | Electricity cost per litre at £0.28/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 2 kWh | 4 litres | 0.5 kWh | £0.14 |
| B | 1.2 kWh | 2 litres | 0.6 kWh | £0.168 |
Measurement B uses less electricity in total, but A uses less per litre in this example. These figures are not evidence that either technology is universally cheaper; the measurements do not represent real models.
For your own comparison, keep the setting and moisture-removal task comparable. A result from one room or season should not be presented as performance across all operating conditions.
Estimate the period cost from measured days
The dehumidifier calculator accepts accumulated energy over complete days and projects the daily average onto your chosen use days. It does not convert IEF into daily consumption or infer water removal from wattage.
Keep a separate note of collected water if that is relevant to the comparison. Record the room temperature, humidity, target, mode and whether the sample is an initial drying period.
Do not multiply measured kWh by an additional cycling reduction. All operation inside the measurement is already included.
Interpret the result before choosing a model
Price the appliance’s energy and consider whether it achieves the required task in the intended conditions. Purchase price, noise, capacity and drainage arrangements may also matter; this cost tool does not combine those into a buying recommendation.
Read the 24-hour running-cost guide for the difference between full-input arithmetic and a day with automatic cycling.