Yes, you can rent a dehumidifier from equipment rental shops, home improvement stores, and some appliance retailers

Renting a dehumidifier makes sense if you need one for a specific problem—basement flooding, a burst pipe, moving into a damp rental—rather than a permanent installation. Most rental companies stock units in the 30 to 70 pint-per-day range, which handles typical moisture problems in a single room or small basement. You pick it up, plug it in, empty the bucket or attach a drain hose, and return it when the job is done.

The rental period is usually by the day, week, or month. A day rental might cost $15 to $25, a week $40 to $80, and a month $80 to $150, depending on the unit size and your location. Buying the same dehumidifier new would cost $200 to $600, so renting makes financial sense if you only need it for a few weeks.

Key Takeaways

  • Home Depot, Lowe's, and local equipment rental shops all rent dehumidifiers by the day, week, or month.
  • Rental costs typically range from $15 to $25 per day or $80 to $150 per month, depending on the unit's capacity.
  • You will need to empty the collection bucket regularly or connect a drain hose to avoid overflow.
  • Rental dehumidifiers are best for temporary moisture problems like water damage or seasonal dampness, not permanent installation.
  • Call ahead to confirm availability, because popular rental periods (spring and summer) can have limited stock.

Where to rent a dehumidifier

Home Depot and Lowe's both rent dehumidifiers at most locations. You can check availability and reserve one online, then pick it up at your local store. Rental periods start at one day, and you can extend if you need the unit longer. Both stores typically stock 30 to 50 pint units, which work for bedrooms, bathrooms, and small basements.

Local equipment rental shops often have a wider range of sizes and may offer better rates for weekly or monthly rentals. Search "equipment rental near me" or "tool rental" to find shops in your area. Call before visiting—popular times like spring and early summer can mean units are already rented out.

Appliance rental companies in some areas rent dehumidifiers as part of their inventory, though they are less common than tool rental shops. Check whether your city has a dedicated appliance rental business by searching online or asking your landlord.

What to expect when you rent

When you arrive to pick up a dehumidifier, the rental staff will show you how to operate it, explain the bucket-emptying schedule, and walk you through the return process. Most units have a straightforward control panel with a humidity setting—you set it to your target humidity level (usually 40 to 50 percent), and the machine runs until that level is reached, then cycles on and off to maintain it.

You will need to decide whether to empty the collection bucket by hand or attach a drain hose. Hand-emptying works for small rooms and short rentals; a hose is better for basements or longer jobs because it drains continuously into a floor drain, sink, or sump pump. Ask the rental shop whether a hose is included or if you need to bring your own.

Return the unit clean and dry. Most rental shops do not charge extra for normal use, but they may charge a cleaning fee if the unit is caked with dust or mold. Wipe down the exterior and empty the bucket before you return it.

Renting versus buying: when each makes sense

Rent a dehumidifier if you are dealing with a one-time problem: water damage from a flood, a burst pipe, a damp basement during a wet spring, or a temporary living situation. Rental is also the right choice if you are not sure whether you need a dehumidifier yet—renting lets you test whether it actually solves your moisture problem before spending $200 to $600 on a unit you might not use again.

Buy a dehumidifier if you have a chronic moisture problem: a basement that stays damp year-round, a bathroom with persistent mold, or a bedroom in a humid climate. A unit you own can run continuously without rental fees adding up, and you can move it between rooms as needed. Buying also makes sense if you live in a rental and plan to stay long enough to recoup the cost through months of use.

If you are renting your home and your landlord will not provide a dehumidifier, check your lease before buying one—some landlords require you to remove appliances when you move. Renting sidesteps that problem entirely.

Capacity and size: choosing the right unit

Dehumidifiers are rated by how many pints of water they remove from the air per day. A 30-pint unit works for a single bedroom or bathroom; a 50-pint unit handles a basement or large living area; a 70-pint unit is for whole-house use or very damp spaces. Most rental shops stock 30 to 50 pint units because they cover the majority of temporary moisture problems.

To pick the right size, think about the room or space you are treating. A small bedroom or bathroom needs 30 pints. A basement under 1,000 square feet needs 50 pints. If you are unsure, tell the rental staff what problem you are solving—water damage, mold smell, condensation on windows—and they can recommend a size.

Larger units cost more to rent but work faster and use less energy per pint removed. If you are renting for a week or longer, a slightly larger unit may be worth the extra cost because it finishes the job sooner and you can return it early.

Setup and operation tips

Place the dehumidifier in the center of the room or area you want to dry, away from walls and furniture that might block airflow. The unit pulls humid air in from one side and pushes dry air out the other, so it needs space to work. Do not put it in a corner or closet.

Set the humidity target to 40 to 50 percent. Most rental units have a dial or digital display where you choose your target. The machine will run continuously until the room reaches that level, then cycle on and off to maintain it. If you set it too low (below 30 percent), the air becomes uncomfortably dry and the unit works harder than necessary.

Empty the bucket daily if you are not using a drain hose. A full bucket will shut the unit off automatically on most models, so check it every morning and evening. If you attach a hose, make sure it drains to a floor drain, sump pump, or sink—never to a neighbor's yard or a foundation wall.

Run the dehumidifier continuously until the moisture problem is solved. For water damage, that usually takes three to seven days. For seasonal dampness, you may need it for several weeks. Keep windows and doors closed while it runs so the humid air outside does not undo your progress.

Rental costs and deposit requirements

Daily rental rates range from $15 to $25 per day depending on the unit size and your location. Weekly rates are usually $40 to $80, and monthly rates are $80 to $150. Some shops offer discounts if you rent for a full week or month instead of paying daily rates.

Most rental shops require a credit card to hold the reservation and may ask for a damage deposit—typically $50 to $100—which they refund when you return the unit in good condition. Ask about the deposit policy when you reserve or pick up the unit. Some shops waive the deposit if you have rented from them before.

Late fees explore if you do not return the unit by the agreed date. A unit rented for one day that you keep for two days will be charged as a second day rental. If you think you might need the unit longer, ask about extending the rental before the due date rather than returning it late.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to bring anything when I pick up a dehumidifier?

Bring a valid credit card and a form of ID. If you plan to use a drain hose instead of emptying the bucket, ask whether the rental shop provides one or if you need to bring your own. Most shops include a basic hose, but confirm when you reserve the unit.

What happens if the dehumidifier breaks while I have it?

Contact the rental shop when ready. Most shops will replace a broken unit at no charge if the damage was not caused by misuse. Do not try to repair it yourself. If you damaged it by dropping it or spilling water on the controls, you may be charged a repair or replacement fee.

Can I rent a dehumidifier for just a few hours?

Most rental shops charge by the day as their minimum, so a few hours will cost the same as a full day. If you need a dehumidifier for only a few hours, ask whether the shop offers hourly rates—some do, but it is uncommon. For a short job, buying a small used unit and reselling it afterward might be cheaper.

Will renting a dehumidifier reduce my electric bill?

No. A dehumidifier uses 300 to 700 watts depending on size and how often it runs, which adds $10 to $30 per month to your electric bill. The goal is to solve a moisture problem, not to save money on utilities. If you are concerned about energy use, ask the rental shop for a smaller unit or one with an energy-saving mode.

Can I rent a dehumidifier if I do not have a floor drain?

Yes. You can empty the bucket by hand into a sink, toilet, or bucket, or run the drain hose to a window, basement window well, or outside. If you use a hose to a window, make sure it does not drip onto your neighbor's property or foundation. Hand-emptying is simpler for short rentals and small units.