Does homeowners insurance cover the electric bill for drying fans?

Yes, but they rarely offer it voluntarily. The cost of electricity to run drying equipment is considered a 'Mitigation Expense' (Coverage A) or an 'Additional Living Expense' (Coverage D). You must submit a specific calculation to get reimbursed.

How much electricity does a commercial dehumidifier use?

A standard LGR Dehumidifier draws between 6 and 10 Amps. Running 24 hours a day, a single machine can cost $5.00 to $8.00 per day depending on your local kWh rate. A typical job with fans and dehumidifiers can exceed $300 per week.

Who Pays for the Electricity? How to Bill Insurance for Restoration Power

Financial Logistics Author: Damage Verified Research Team

A restoration crew will plug 12 fans and 3 dehumidifiers into your outlets and let them run 24/7 for a week. When your next electric bill arrives, it will be $400 higher than normal. Who pays that? The insurance company should, but only if you send them an invoice.

Reimbursement Protocol

How to Get Paid Back:

Photograph the Plates: Every machine has a sticker on the back listing “Amps.” Take a picture of it.

Find Your kWh Rate: Look at your last electric bill. Find the “Rate per kWh” (usually $0.12 – $0.25).

Submit the Calculation: Use our template below. Do not just send the full bill; calculate the exact usage of their machines.

1. The Real Cost: Why It’s Expensive

Restoration equipment is industrial. It is not like running a ceiling fan.

LGR Dehumidifier (Large): Draws 8-10 Amps. This is like running a portable AC unit 24/7.
Air Mover (Fan): Draws 1.5 – 3 Amps. A typical job has 10-20 of these.
Electric Heaters: If they use heat drying (TES), the cost is massive (30-50 Amps).

A standard 3-day drying job can consume 300 to 500 kWh. At $0.20/kWh, that is a $100 bill. For a Class 4 drying job (7-10 days), it can easily exceed $400.

2. The Formula (How to Calculate Cost)

You need to convert “Amps” to “Dollars.” Here is the physics formula used by Xactimate:

THE CALCULATION STEP-BY-STEP

Step 1: Get Watts
Amps × Volts (115) = Watts
Example: 6 Amps × 115 Volts = 690 Watts

Step 2: Get Kilowatts (kW)
Watts ÷ 1000 = kW
Example: 690 ÷ 1000 = 0.69 kW

Step 3: Get Daily Cost
kW × 24 Hours × Your kWh Rate = Cost Per Day
Example: 0.69 × 24 × $0.15 = $2.48 per day (per machine)

Video: A simple guide to the math behind your electric bill.

3. The “Power Invoice” Template

Adjusters ignore general requests. They pay specific invoices. Copy this text, fill in your numbers, and email it to your adjuster.

TEMPLATE: ELECTRICITY REIMBURSEMENT DEMAND

To: [Adjuster Name] Re: Claim # [Your Claim Number] – Utility Reimbursement Please see the attached calculation for electricity consumed by the restoration equipment placed in my home from [Start Date] to [End Date]. Equipment List: 1. XL Dehumidifier (8 Amps): 8A x 115V / 1000 = 0.92 kW Usage: 0.92 kW x 24hrs x 5 days x $0.18/kWh = $19.87 2. 10 Air Movers (2.5 Amps each): 25A Total x 115V / 1000 = 2.875 kW Usage: 2.875 kW x 24hrs x 5 days x $0.18/kWh = $62.10 Total Electricity Surcharge: $81.97 This expense was incurred solely to mitigate damages under the policy. Please add this line item to the settlement check. Sincerely, [Your Name]

PRO TIP: ROUND UP

Always assume the equipment ran for the full 24 hours. Even if they unplugged it for 10 minutes to move it, you are entitled to the full day rate. Also, include a photo of your electric bill to prove your “Rate per kWh.”

4. Which Coverage Pays This?

Adjusters might try to categorize this incorrectly. You need to know where it fits.

Coverage A (Dwelling): This is preferred. It is a “Mitigation Expense” just like the fans themselves. It does not have a deductible (usually).
Coverage D (Loss of Use/ALE): Some adjusters put it here. This covers “Additional Living Expenses.” It works, but it might have different limits.

5. Tool: Electricity Cost Calculator

Don’t want to do the math manually? Input your Amps and Rate below.

Conclusion

Is $80 or $200 worth sending an email? Yes. Insurance companies profit by counting on you to ignore the “small stuff.” But when you add up electricity, spoiled food, and cleaning supplies, the “small stuff” becomes thousands of dollars. Claim everything.