True Cost Guide Heating & Cooling Install a Dehumidifier

How Much Does a Whole-House Dehumidifier Cost in 2024?

Typical Range:

$1,300 - $3,000

Cost data is based on research by HomeAdvisor.

Updated September 23, 2024

Written by HomeAdvisor.

Highlights

Whole-house dehumidifier installation averages $1,500, ranging from $1,300 to $3,000.
Capacity, which is based on square footage and baseline humidity, is the main influence on the unit’s cost.
Whole-house dehumidifiers start around 70 pints, which can effectively regulate humidity in the average home.
Some installations may require more extensive ductwork, electrical, and other modifications.
Dehumidifiers improve indoor air quality and help prevent mold and water damage.

Most homeowners pay about $1,500 to install a whole-house dehumidifier, with costs ranging from $1,300 to $3,000. The total cost for dehumidifier units varies depending on the size of the home, its baseline humidity, and other factors, while labor fees are generally based on geography and the installation’s complexity.

Average Whole-House Dehumidifier Cost

Average Cost	High Cost	Low Cost
$1,500	$3,000	$1,300

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Whole-House Dehumidifier Cost Factors

Several variables influence whole-house dehumidifier installation costs, some relating to installation labor and others to the cost of the unit itself.

Unit Capacity

Capacity refers to how much moisture a dehumidifier pulls from the air, usually measured in pints per day. While portable units are smaller, whole-home dehumidifiers start around 70 pints and cost between $1,100 and $1,700. The size of your home is the main factor in your dehumidifier’s capacity. Homes under 2,600 square feet typically don’t need more than a 100-pint unit.

Beyond square footage, each home has unique characteristics that affect humidity levels and capacity needs. For instance, some seasons or climates increase indoor humidity more drastically than others. Old or drafty homes may need a more powerful dehumidifier than a new, tightly sealed home. The number of people living in a home may also contribute to humidity.

See this table for capacity and square footage guidelines, which account for humidity levels between 50% and 90%.

Square Footage	Capacity (Pints)	Average Cost Range
1,800–2,600	70–80	$1,100–$1,700
2,200–3,000	75–100	$1,300–$2,000
3,200–4,400	100–155	$1,500–$2,200
4,000–5,000	155–225	$2,000–$3,450

Efficiency

The efficiency of a dehumidifier is measured by pints per kilowatt-hour, which calculates how much moisture a dehumidifier can remove with a given amount of energy. Units with higher Energy Star or Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) ratings usually carry higher costs than less efficient models, but may cost much less long-term through energy consumption savings.

Ductwork

Most whole-home dehumidifiers require integration with ductwork to properly draw in, dehumidify, and distribute air. Some portable units are technically rated for whole-home use without using ductwork, but they rarely achieve the same result as a ducted system.

Installing new ductwork costs $1,400 to $9,000, with most homeowners paying about $2,200. If you already have ductwork but need modifications to accommodate the dehumidifier, expect to pay between $10 and $20 per linear foot.

Drainage

Whole-house dehumidifiers use two types of drainage—a hose that relies on gravity or an internal or external pump. Standard dehumidifier drain lines are limited to between 10 and 20 feet. If the dehumidifier is located far from a drainage point, you may need to install a dedicated drain line. A dedicated drain line adds extra material costs, about $0.50 to $20 per linear foot depending on the piping material, plus plumber labor fees, which range from $130 to $150 per hour.

Dehumidifiers installed below grading and without a paired floor drain or sump pump typically need a condensate pump to push the water to ground level. Some dehumidifiers have pumps built-in, which often adds to the cost but may lead to drainage problems if the pump or unit breaks down. Installing an external pump adds about $150 to $500 but protects your HVAC system and home from water backups.

Labor

Homeowners should expect to pay between $500 and $700 for local whole-house dehumidifier installation. Labor varies by location and contractor, with HVAC technician rates averaging between $75 and $250 per hour. Many contractors charge a flat rate for installation that accounts for installation hours, additional parts, and other costs. Installation usually takes several hours with a two-person HVAC team.

Installation difficulty, contractor experience, cost of living, and other variables account for the wide range in hourly rates and flat installation fees. Higher rates typically reflect the contractor’s advanced experience or specialization, accessibility challenges for the installation, or high installation demand.

Local cost of living also plays an important role in costs. In regions with a relatively high cost of living, such as metropolitan areas, HVAC fees can be up to 35% higher than average. Rural areas typically carry the lowest cost of living and HVAC technician rates, but contractors may charge an additional fee if they have to travel outside of their usual service area.

Additional Whole-Home Dehumidifier Costs

Other costs, such as electrical work or permits, may factor into your final whole-home dehumidifier installation price.

Installation Complexity

Installing a whole-home dehumidifier in an easily accessible area, such as a clean basement or garage, requires less time, effort, and labor than a hard-to-reach area. Adding a return duct to house the dehumidifier involves more complexity than integrating it into existing ductwork. Dehumidifier installation in new construction or a new HVAC system typically costs less than retrofitting an existing HVAC system because it doesn’t involve reworking configuration.

Electrical Work

Installing a whole-home dehumidifier may require electrical upgrades to meet electrical code standards. Electricians typically cost between $50 and $100 per hour. Electrical upgrades for whole-home dehumidifiers may include GFCI outlet installation, which ranges from $130 to $300, or rewiring to create a dedicated circuit for the unit.

Permits

Permit fees range from $50 to $200 depending on the municipality, and some HVAC companies account for these fees in their total cost if they handle the permit application.

A whole-house dehumidifier installation itself doesn’t usually necessitate a permit. Rather, permit regulations apply when making significant changes to your home’s systems. Major changes to your HVAC system configuration to accommodate a dehumidifier may require a HVAC permit. Dehumidifier installations most often need electrical permits, usually for rewiring and adding dedicated circuits.

Add-Ons

Extra features enhance the performance and convenience of a dehumidifier but also impact the total cost. For example, many dehumidifiers come with standard knob controls, but homeowners can upgrade to digital and touchscreen controls and displays. Other add-on features and costs may include:

Wifi connectivity and smart features
Zoned dehumidification
Extended warranties
Removal of old dehumidifier

Whole-Home Dehumidifier Cost by Type

Whole-home dehumidifiers are the standard for adding comprehensive humidity control to your home. Other comparable options are also available, such as basement dehumidifiers or two-stage air conditioners, which cater to other needs and have varying costs, features, and functions.

Dehumidifier Type	Features	Average Cost Range
Whole-House	Integrates with HVAC return or supply ducts	$1,300–$3,000
Basement	Prevents water damage, mold, and other basement issues	$800–$2,000
Two-Stage Air Conditioner	AC unit with built-in humidity control	$5,000–$7,000

Whole-House Dehumidifier

A whole-house dehumidifier is a centralized system that regulates humidity levels throughout your home. It ducts into your HVAC or furnace system to support high humidity during the heating or cooling cycles.

Basement Dehumidifier

Most homeowners opt for basement dehumidifiers to minimize the effects of common humidity issues, such as water damage, mold, and mildew. Ranging from $800 to $2,000, basement dehumidifiers are otherwise known as portable units. These systems don’t integrate with ductwork, aren’t permanent, and don’t usually exceed 60-pint capacity ratings. You can move them to other areas of your home as needed to manage temporary humidity issues.

Two-Stage Air Conditioner

Ranging from $5,000 to $7,000, two-stage and variable-speed air conditioners offer enhanced humidity control over single-stage air conditioners. All central air conditioners remove humidity from indoor air during cycles, but two-stage and variable-speed systems can adjust speed and output for precise cooling cycles. These cycles last longer and can remove more moisture from the air as a result. Even so, they don’t usually match the capacity of a whole-home dehumidifier.

Keep in mind that air conditioners only remove moisture during cooling cycles and may not be effective for humidity control outside of peak cooling season. Furnace heating systems may partially dry air through heating, but they don’t extract moisture. Heat pumps range from $4,200 to $7,900 and often continually remove moisture while alternating between heating and cooling cycles.

Whole-Home Dehumidifier Cost by Brand

Different brands offer varying price points depending on the quality, demand, and included features. For instance, highly established brands such as Carrier or Aprilaire may carry higher costs because they specialize in this type of home equipment and may source higher-quality parts and engineering. High-end products may also come with more advantageous warranties than others.

Brand	Average Cost Range
Aprilaire	$1,000–$2,200
Carrier	$1,000–$3,000
General Aire	$1,300–$1,900
Honeywell	$1,000–$2,000
Lennox	$1,500–$2,300
SaniDry	$1,200–$2,500
Santa Fe	$1,200–$2,500

Does a Whole-House Dehumidifier Increase Home Value?

A whole-house dehumidifier offers several advantages that may increase home value. In some cases, humidity control is necessary to prevent mold and structural damage that may otherwise reduce home value. The main advantages of whole-house dehumidifiers include:

Improved indoor air quality
Enhanced comfort
Lower risk of mold growth or pest infestation
Reduced strain on HVAC system

Budgeting for a Whole-House Dehumidifier

Whole-house dehumidifiers offer numerous benefits for a significant upfront investment. Streamline your whole-house dehumidifier costs with these budgeting strategies:

Research incentives: Utility companies and other organizations may offer rebates and incentives to offset the cost of the unit and installation.
Proper sizing: Consult with your HVAC technician to ensure your dehumidifier is correctly sized for your home.
Energy efficiency: Optimize long-term costs and lower your monthly electricity bill by opting for an energy-efficient unit.
Humidity control: Consider other ways to improve your home’s humidity and reduce capacity requirements, such as upgraded window sealing or repairing leaks.
Warranties: Inquire about built-in warranties or extended service agreements to cover future dehumidifier repair or maintenance costs.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.

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FAQs

What should my home’s humidity levels be?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor humidity levels should fall between 30% and 50%. Persistently high humidity levels can encourage mold growth, dust mites, allergens, and damage to walls and structural elements. Low humidity may also lead to respiratory problems and other issues.

How long does a whole-house dehumidifier last?

Whole-house dehumidifiers last between eight and 15 years. Usage, indoor air quality, the unit’s quality, and other variables impact the total lifespan. Proper usage practices and maintenance, such as air filter replacements and coil cleaning, may help extend the lifespan of your dehumidifier.

Should I run my whole-house dehumidifier in the winter?

Many homes only see significant humidity during summer and don’t need to run a whole-home dehumidifier in the winter, especially in areas with freezing temperatures that are less capable of holding moisture. Temperate or warm climates may still see high humidity levels through winter and require a dehumidifier to regulate indoor levels. Your home’s sealing, insulation, and other factors may also affect dehumidification needs.