Cost to Run Drying Equipment After Water Damage

Power Consumption by Equipment Type

Commercial LGR Dehumidifiers

A commercial LGR dehumidifier draws between 7 and 12 amps at 115 volts, which translates to roughly 800 to 1,400 watts of power. Running continuously for 24 hours, a single unit consumes 19 to 34 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day. At the national average electricity rate of approximately $0.16 per kWh (as of 2026), that is $3 to $5.50 per day per unit. In high-cost electricity markets like California or the Northeast, the daily cost per unit can reach $6 to $9.

Air Movers

Air movers are more energy-efficient than dehumidifiers. Each unit draws 2 to 5 amps at 115 volts, consuming 230 to 575 watts. Running one air mover for 24 hours uses 5.5 to 14 kWh, costing $0.90 to $2.25 per day at average rates. Since most jobs use three to twelve air movers, the total daily electricity cost for air movers ranges from $2.70 to $27 depending on the number of units.

Portable Extractors

Portable water extractors draw significant power, typically 10 to 15 amps, but they only run during the initial extraction phase, not continuously for days. A few hours of extractor operation adds $2 to $5 to your electricity costs for the entire job, making it a negligible factor in the overall power consumption.

Total Electricity Costs by Job Size

A small job with one dehumidifier and three air movers running for three days costs approximately $20 to $40 in electricity. A moderate job with two dehumidifiers and six air movers for four days runs $50 to $90. A large job with three dehumidifiers and ten air movers for five days costs $80 to $175.

These costs are modest compared to the overall extraction and drying bill, typically representing 2 to 5 percent of the total job cost. However, they are worth understanding because they are usually the homeowner's responsibility rather than the restoration company's. The company provides and places the equipment, but the equipment runs on your household electricity.

Electrical Circuit Considerations

The combined electrical load of drying equipment is the more important concern, not the cost. A standard household circuit provides 15 or 20 amps. A single commercial dehumidifier can draw 7 to 12 amps by itself, leaving limited capacity for anything else on that circuit. Adding two or three air movers at 3 to 5 amps each to the same circuit will exceed its capacity and trip the breaker.

Restoration technicians are trained to distribute equipment across multiple circuits. They typically plug each dehumidifier into a separate circuit and spread air movers across additional circuits. In homes with limited electrical capacity, particularly older homes with fewer circuits, the technician may need to use extension cords to reach outlets on separate circuits, or the homeowner may need to avoid using other high-draw appliances (space heaters, ovens, hair dryers) during the drying period.

Tripped breakers are a common problem during drying. When a breaker trips, the equipment on that circuit shuts down, and drying progress stops until someone notices and resets it. If nobody is home during the day, equipment could be down for hours, extending the drying timeline and adding to total costs. Walk through the house at least twice a day to check that all equipment is running, and listen for the continuous hum that indicates the units are operating.

Insurance and Electricity Costs

Most insurance policies do not explicitly cover the electricity costs of running drying equipment. However, some policyholders have successfully included electricity costs as part of their claim under the general provision for reasonable mitigation expenses. The argument is that running the equipment is part of the mitigation process to prevent further damage, so the operating cost is a legitimate claim expense.

Document your electricity costs if you plan to include them in your claim. Note the number and type of equipment, the amperage draw of each unit, the duration of operation, and your per-kWh electricity rate. Compare your power bill during the drying period against a typical month's bill to show the incremental cost. Whether the insurer accepts this line item varies by company and adjuster, but having the documentation ready costs nothing and may result in reimbursement of $30 to $175.

Reducing Electricity Costs During Drying

There is limited opportunity to reduce the electricity costs of drying equipment because the equipment must run continuously to be effective. Turning off dehumidifiers or air movers to save power extends the drying period, which can increase equipment rental costs and raise the risk of mold growth. The electricity savings from running equipment on a timer or only during off-peak hours are far outweighed by the consequences of slower drying.

The one legitimate way to reduce electricity costs is to ensure the equipment is properly sized and configured. Over-equipping a job wastes electricity without improving drying speed. A competent technician who follows IICRC guidelines places the right amount of equipment for the specific situation, avoiding both under-equipping (which extends drying time) and over-equipping (which wastes energy and may increase your rental charges).