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

Climate, poor ventilation, and moisture-producing activities are the main culprits of the high indoor humidity levels, which you can manage with a whole-home dehumidifier, spending from $1,540 to $3,560. Based on the model selected, your home size, and installation intricacy, your outlay can lower to $1,190 or soar up to $4,160. The average cost of a whole-house dehumidifier is $2,245 nationwide. Such a unit can help you reach and keep your ideal indoor humidity level around the clock.  

The price of a whole-house dehumidifier

Whole-House Dehumidifier Cost Breakdown 

High humidity can make your home an uncomfortable place to live in. Sticky skin, damaged furniture, and musty odors associated with excessive dampness are only a few problems householders can deal with. If no action is taken, never-going humidity can lead to sleep disturbances and exacerbate health issues like asthma and allergies by fostering mold growth, mildew, and dust mites. Hence, for those living in a humid tropical or subtropical climate, a whole-house dehumidifier can become a godsend, promoting a healthier indoor environment. But how much does it cost to add a dehumidifier to HVAC? We’ll examine below. 

If you know your home’s size and baseline humidity, you can use MyHomeQuote to request custom quotes. Complete a small questionnaire to let us know your needs, and we’ll connect you with about five contractors in your neighborhood.

Whole-Home Dehumidifier Cost by Type

Dehumidifiers excel at providing extensive humidity management throughout your home, but their efficiency and your outlay—$830 vs. $7,000—will depend on the type. Even though today we zero in on whole-house models, you should know that there are other viable alternatives, like basement dehumidifiers and two-stage air conditioners. All of them are designed to fulfill different requirements, offering a range of specific features and functionalities. 

Whole-House Dehumidifier 

If you are looking for a comprehensive solution for regulating humidity levels across your entire home, a whole-house dehumidifier is the best bet, with prices ranging from $1,150 to $2,500. This centralized system is integrated into your existing HVAC or furnace system, operating seamlessly during heating and cooling cycles to manage moisture levels effectively. Available in multiple sizes and power ratings, this system can be tailored to suit the specific needs of your household, providing a practical, all-encompassing approach to humidity management.

Basement Dehumidifier 

A basement dehumidifier system costs from $830 to $2,100 on average. You can use it to mitigate widespread humidity-related problems, including mold and mildew. These dehumidifiers offer flexibility, as they are not permanently installed and don’t need your home’s ductwork. With capacity ratings usually not exceeding 60 pints, these devices are ideal for standard basement sizes. Hence, by investing in a basement dehumidifier system, you can address temporary spikes in humidity levels around the house, ensuring targeted moisture control wherever it’s needed.

Two-Stage AC

Even though two-stage ACs may cost an arm and a leg, with prices ranging between $4,900 and $7,000, they provide superior humidity control compared to their single-stage counterparts. You can choose the perfect speed to meet your current cooling and moisture removal needs, enhancing the comfort levels within the home. However, please note that despite their effectiveness during active cycles, these air conditioners do not match the dehumidifying capacity of whole-home dehumidifiers. Additionally, their ability to control humidity is limited to periods when they are actively cooling. Therefore, they may not offer adequate humidity management throughout the year.

The dehumidifier installation cost by type

HVAC Dehumidifier Cost by Capacity

Whether your dehumidifier will cost $1,120 or $3,500 depends on its capacity. The latter, in turn, tells how much moisture the unit can remove from the air in one day. It is measured in pints, with minimal capacity starting at 70, suitable for small spaces of up to 2,000 square feet. When selecting the most befitting unit, you should make allowances for your home size and factors that can make a difference, such as seasonal changes and weather patterns. If you reside in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, or Florida, you are likely to suffer from higher indoor humidity than Nevada or New Mexico citizens. Moreover, older homes with drafts may call for a more powerful system than newer, more airtight houses. 

The price of a whole-house humidifier by capacity

Whole-Home Dehumidifier Cost by Brand

When choosing from dozens of dehumidifier brands, you should be guided by price tags and their quality, capacity, and the range of features offered. Big names in the market, like Lennox and Carrier, command higher prices. These companies are renowned for specializing in climate control technology and often utilize superior components and engineering in their products. Plus, top-of-the-line units frequently come with more favorable warranty conditions, offering greater peace of mind than lesser-known brands.  

The price of a whole-house dehumidifier by brand

**AprilAire 80pt-dehumidifier from $1,550, according to Home Depot

**Honeywell 65pt-dehumidifier from $1,700, according to Amazon

**Lennox 296pt-dehumidifier from $4,418, according to InstallMart

Crawl Space Dehumidifier Cost

Installing a dehumidifier in your crawl space is a tried-and-true way to control the humidity level throughout your home. Householders in California, Georgia, and other states with mild climates can especially benefit from such a home upgrade. A crawl space dehumidifier costs $1,560 to $2,645, with installation included. If you are interested in a more comprehensive solution, you may consider crawl space encapsulation. Depending on the floorage and the material used, the total crawl space dehumidifier installation cost can skyrocket to up to $14,800. Even though the outlay may seem overwhelming, this method effectively seals the surfaces, keeping moisture issues at bay in the coming years.

The cost to install a dehumidifier in a crawl space

Whole-House Dehumidifier Installation Cost

Labor costs to equip an average-sized home with a dehumidifier range from $420 to $1,170. As a rule of thumb, it can take 3 to 7 hours for a two-person crew to complete the installation. Specialists can charge more for a whole-house unit, as, unlike the portable, standalone under-house dehumidifier, it has to be integrated with your HVAC system and its ductwork.

HVAC technicians often charge between $75 and $150 per hour, with many opting for a flat rate that covers the hours, additional parts, and miscellaneous costs involved. If you live in a city with high living standards, you can expect to fork out up to 34% more than homeowners in the countryside. The wide variance in hourly rates and flat installation fees is also shaped by factors like the contractor’s expertise, specialization level, the difficulty of installation access, and the current demand for such installations.

Additional Costs of Whole-House Dehumidifier Installation

Creating a budget for installing a whole-house dehumidifier involves more than just considering the primary expenses. You should also account for additional costs that can affect the overall financial outlay. Modifications or enhancements such as ductwork adjustments, electrical upgrades, and installing a proper drainage system are often necessary to support the new system. 

Electrical Work

Electricians can charge between $52 and $110 per hour for their services. You will need a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlet when installing a whole-home dehumidifier. If you live in an old house, it might be necessary to rewire home parts to provide a dedicated circuit for the dehumidifier. Such electrical enhancements ensure the system operates safely and efficiently.

Internal Pump Installation

When calculating the under-house dehumidifier cost, remember to include the expenses—$150 to $550—for an internal pump. The pump is designed to efficiently remove moisture by pumping it upward and out of the house. Moreover, it helps prevent the accumulation of moisture, which can lead to zillion moisture-related issues within the home..

Old Unit Removal

If your current dehumidifier malfunctions and requires replacement, HVAC specialists can charge $90 to $120 to disconnect and remove it from the system. Although policies vary, some contractors might include this service in the installation estimate. The cost of this removal can vary depending on whether the old dehumidifier is active or has already been disconnected, affecting the job’s complexity.

Obtaining Permits

Permit regulations often become applicable when making substantial modifications to home systems, particularly in the scope of HVAC work, so that you may spend an additional $50 to $250. Additionally, electrical permits are frequently required for dehumidifier installations involving rewiring or installing dedicated circuits. You can only skip these expenses if no alterations to the HVAC system are needed. 

The cost of the dehumidifier for the basement or whole house by extra services