Crawl space dehumidifier costs are worth it if you consider their effect on energy bills and avoiding moisture damage. Learn what makes up the total cost of the project.
How Much Does a Whole-House Dehumidifier Cost? [2026 Data]
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Cost Insights:
Whole-house dehumidifier installation costs between $1,300 and $2,800, based on your home size and ductwork.
Your unit’s capacity and efficiency rating shape humidity control and your monthly energy use, especially in damp climates.
You should budget for internal pumps ($150 to $500), electrical work, permits, and removal of your old dehumidifier.
Hiring a local HVAC company ensures proper ductwork connections, correct wiring, and protects your home from moisture damage.
Installing a whole-house dehumidifier costs about $1,500, but it ranges between $1,300 and $2,800. A central dehumidifier is a great way to ensure humidity stays at 30% to 50%, which is a home's ideal relative humidity level. Let's break down the cost factors at play when purchasing a whole-house dehumidifier.
Whole-House Dehumidifier Cost by Type
The dehumidifier design and type will change the overall cost, ranging from whole-house versions to basement units.
| Type | Cost | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Whole-house dehumidifier | $1,100 to $2,500 | Attach to the return ductwork of your pre-existing HVAC system; multiple sizes and power ratings |
| Basement unit | $800–$2,000 | Dehumidifier exclusive to basement; prevents mold, mildew, water damage |
| Two-stage air conditioner | $5,000 to $7,000 | AC unit and dehumidifier for entire home |
Whole-House Dehumidifier Cost Breakdown
Lowering the humidity in your home can help prevent mold growth and reduce dust. Check out the cost factors that determine dehumidifier pricing.
Capacity
Capacity refers to how much moisture a dehumidifier can remove from the air, measured in pints per day. Lower-capacity dehumidifiers start at around 60 pints, while higher-capacity units can remove more than 150 pints per day. The greater the capacity, the more you can expect to pay.
Efficiency
A dehumidifier's efficiency indicates how much energy it uses when removing humidity from the air. Higher-efficiency models use less energy per pint, which can help you save on your monthly energy bills. However, they also cost more than lower-efficiency units.
Internal Pump
If you need to install a dehumidifier underground or in a basement, aka below grade, you might need to install an internal pump to adequately pump moisture up and out of your home. Internal pumps add $150 to $500 to the whole-house dehumidifier installation cost.
Location in the Home
If you're installing a dehumidifier in an easy-to-reach location, such as a clean garage, you can expect to pay less than you would if the installation location is difficult to access. That's because hard-to-reach locations will cause the installation to take longer, driving up labor costs.
Labor
Once you purchase a unit, the installation cost will add another $500 to $700, depending on where you live. The installation cost includes the labor to assemble the unit, fasten it, and secure it in place. A contractor will connect the inlet and outlet supply to the central air supply and add the appropriate wiring.
Installation costs should also cover controllers being mounted and configured for operation. These controllers are important, as they will determine the settings used to vary humidity within the home. If you need to purchase additional equipment, such as mounting supplies and fasteners, these can cost about $20 to $25.
Permits
If you need to install a new electrical circuit and wiring to connect your new dehumidifier, you might need a permit. Permit fees vary by municipality, but they typically range from $50 to $200.
Geographic Location
Where you live can also affect dehumidifier costs, especially with respect to labor. Typically, regions with high living costs, like large cities, tend to have higher labor costs than rural areas and regions with lower living costs.
| Location | Average Cost* | Average Cost w/ Labor |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | $1,700–$2,000 | $2,800–$3,400 |
| Dallas, TX | $1,600–$1,900 | $2,500–$3,000 |
| Nashville, TN | $1,600–$1,900 | $2,600–$3,000 |
| New York, NY | $1,800–$2,100 | $3,200–$3,800 |
| Cheyenne, WY | $1,600–$1,900 | $2,600–$3,200 |
| Newark, NJ | $1,700–$2,000 | $3,000–$3,600 |
| Juneau, AK | $1,700–$2,100 | $3,200–$3,800 |
*Not including labor.
Additional Costs to Consider
Photo: Hinterhaus Productions / Stone / Getty Images
There are additional factors to consider when budgeting for the cost to install a whole-house dehumidifier.
Air duct installation: $1,000–$2,700
Electrical work: $50–$100 per hour
External drainage pump: $125
Removing old dehumidifier: $35–$40
HVAC disconnect during installation: $90–$115
Monthly energy cost: $15–$25 per month
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Unless you have professional expertise in electrical and HVAC work, installing a whole-house dehumidifier yourself is not recommended since it's a fairly complex project. Improper installation can lead to very costly damage down the line.
The cost to hire a local HVAC company to install a whole-house dehumidifier (including the cost of labor) can range from around $2,000 to upwards of $3,500. However, if you decide to take on the project yourself, you can skip labor costs altogether. Instead, you'll only pay for the dehumidifier and any tools needed to install it.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on 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.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
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