https://utilityexplained.com/tags/energy-star/Recent content in Energy Star on Utility ExplainedHugoen-usMon, 31 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://utilityexplained.com/blog/do-dehumidifiers-help-cooling-costs/Mon, 31 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://utilityexplained.com/blog/do-dehumidifiers-help-cooling-costs/<h2 id="quick-answer">Quick Answer</h2> <p><strong>It depends on your climate and your air conditioner.</strong> In a humid summer that is only mildly hot, a dehumidifier can let you feel comfortable at a higher AC setpoint — drier air evaporates sweat more effectively, so a 74°F room at 40% relative humidity can feel cooler than a 72°F room at 65% RH. That is the one honest way a dehumidifier helps your cooling bill: not by cooling the air, but by letting you run the AC less while still feeling comfortable. In a genuinely hot climate, where the thermostat stays low all day for temperature rather than humidity, a portable dehumidifier usually adds cost instead — it dumps heat back into the room and draws its own electricity.</p>