• Dehumidifier Overview
• Frequently Asked Questions About Dehumidifiers
• Dehumidifier Pint Capacity
• Key Dehumidifier Features
• Dehumidifiers Compared

Dehumidifier Overview

Humidity can be a problem in any environment. Not only a cause for discomfort, high humidity levels in an environment is conducive to the growth of mold and mildew within that environment. Dehumidifiers are not only able to create a comfortable living environment, but more importantly create a healthy environment and are a necessary tool against germs and bacteria. If ignored, excess humidity can cause some of the following problems:

• Dust mite populations increase and can cause problems for those suffering from allergies.
• Condensation can form on windows and even on walls causing paint to blister and wallpaper to peel.
• Metals within the environment will begin to rust and wood will begin to warp.
• Condensation in electric items can cause irreparable damage and can even be dangerous.
• Musty smells can develop and a moist environment is uncomfortable for everyone.
• Mold, mildew and fungus grow and thrive in moist environments and are damaging to one's health.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dehumidifiers

What size of dehumidifier do I need?

The capacity that you need depends on several factors, the most important of which are the area that needs to be dehumidified and the humidity level in that area. Please view the following chart to approximate the capacity of the dehumidifier that you need

What does the capacity of the dehumidifier stand for?

Dehumidifiers are rated by the maximum amount of humidity that they will remove from the air in a 24 hour period. For example, a 40 pint dehumidifier is rated to remove 40 pints of moisture from the air in a 24 hour period. Keep in mind that even though the dehumidifier may be removing 40 pints of moisture a day the unit may only have a 25 pint storage tank so you will need to manually empty the reservoir bucket in order to achieve the unit's maximum capacity. To avoid this issue you would need to purchase a unit that offers a direct drain option so the unit may continuously expel the moisture into a nearby drain in your area negating the need to manually empty the holding tank.

What does the capacity of the dehumidifier stand for?

Dehumidifiers are rated by the maximum amount of humidity that they will remove from the air in a 24 hour period. For example, a 40 pint dehumidifier is rated to remove 40 pints of moisture from the air in a 24 hour period. Keep in mind that even though the dehumidifier may be removing 40 pints of moisture a day the unit may only have a 25 pint storage tank so you will need to manually empty the reservoir bucket in order to achieve the unit's maximum capacity. To avoid this issue you would need to purchase a unit that offers a direct drain option so the unit may continuously expel the moisture into a nearby drain in your area negating the need to manually empty the holding tank.

Which model would you suggest to help minimize my monthly utility costs?

Start by selecting a unit that is “Energy Star” rated. The Energy Star rating is an international designation indicating that an appliance has been deemed energy efficient. The dehumidifiers that offer this designation are clearly marked on our website. You will also need to make certain that you do not select a dehumidifier that is too small for the area you wish to cover and the humidity level that you wish to maintain. An undersized dehumidifier will run more often which will in turn use more energy than a properly sized unit.

Is it true that a dehumidifier may add some heat into the area in which it is located?

Yes, a dehumidifier will add some heat into its immediate environment. The amount of heat will vary greatly depending on the size of the unit and the area it is operating within. The warmer the temperature the unit is operating within the more efficiently the unit will be able to remove moisture from the air. It is conceivable in smaller areas that a dehumidifier may raise the ambient temperature 5 to 8 degrees. Conversely, a dehumidifier will cease to operate if the environment becomes too cold. This is an important factor to consider if you are attempting to dehumidify a basement area that is not heated. Check the specifications of the unit you are considering for more information on the units operating parameters.

I have a fair amount of square footage to dehumidify. Would I be better off with a “whole house” unit or a couple of smaller models?

While there are many models that claim to dehumidify large areas their true effectiveness is dictated by the airflow within the operating environment. If air is unable to easily flow from one room to another it will greatly reduce the effectiveness of a whole house unit. In these situations you may need to employ a ceiling fan or smaller portable fans to increase the airflow between the rooms and to the dehumidifier. Another option would be to purchase two smaller units and place them at opposite ends of the home.

Are dehumidifiers noisy?

Although noise is a very subjective topic, your average dehumidifier is usually not as loud as a window or portable air conditioning unit. A dehumidifier will make some noise during operation though so you may want to plan on locating the unit in another part of your home other than the bedroom.

Dehumidifier Pint Capacity

You'll find below a useful chart outlining typical moisture levels within an area rated from "damp" to "severely wet" and a short description of what that moisture level feels like. Moisture levels are then identified on the right in terms of places that frequently exhibit such moisture levels. For example, a "damp" area can be described as a bedroom or bathroom. Finally, you'll find pint capacity recommendations based on those moisture levels.

Key Dehumidifier Features

Compiled below is a list of some things to look for when shopping for a dehumidifier. Many of these features come standard with pretty much all dehumidifier models, however some are designed for special applications and are only applicable for certain models.

Pint Capacity:

Pint capacity is the amount of moisture in pints that a dehumidifier model can remove from the surrounding area in 24 hours. Pint capacity is affected by the size of the area and the initial moisture within that area. Generally speaking, models with a pint capacity less than 70 pints are suitable for home or residential use as opposed to models with capacities greater than 70 pints which would be suitable for commercial applications.

Most residential home dehumidifier models are rated a pint capacity based on maximum relative humidity versus commercial models which are rated at typically 60% relative humidity.

Collection Tank or Collection Bucket:

Most home or residential dehumidifier models have an internal collection tank or bucket that can be removed when needed. Once a dehumidifier model extracts enough moisture to fill the collection tank, the tank most be emptied. Most models have an auto-shut off feature that turns the dehumidifier off once the tank is full.

Commercial or industrial dehumidifier models remove so much moisture from the air that a collection tank would be impractical. Thus, these models usually drain or pump the collected water as opposed to storing it in a tank.

Humidistat or Hydrostat:

A humidistat is an instrument that measures relative humidity within the environment and then relays that information back to the dehumidifier for any needed adjustments. Humidistats are built into dehumidifiers or can be bought separately.

Low Temperature Operation:

This is a feature found on dehumidifier models suited for use in low temperature environments such as basements or crawl spaces. Most models have an operating temperature range that should be more than suitable for most basements or crawl spaces, but there are some models that can operate in an environment as cold as 30°F.

Electronic or Manual Controls:

Most models on the market today feature electronic controls. The difference between the two is that electronic controls usually consist of settings controlled through a “button” type interface where as manual controls consist of settings controlled through a “dial.” One thing to note is that if power is interrupted, an electronic controlled model will turn off and will need to be manually turned back on.

Auto-Restart:

Auto-restart is a function that can be very useful during power failures or power interruptions. If a dehumidifier model loses power, auto-restart functionality automatically turns the model back on at its previous settings once power is restored.

Caster Wheels:

Found on almost all dehumidifier models, caster wheels allow for easy transport and portability. Residential and commercial models alike can be found with caster wheels.

Air Filter:

Air filters are an optional accessory that function to help clean air being drawn into the dehumidifier. The basic process is that air is passed through the dehumidifier and through the filter, moisture is drawn from the air and collected in the collection tank and clean air is exhausted back out through the unit.

Noise Level:

While not necessarily a feature, a quiet dehumidifier is definitely better than a noisy one. Dehumidifiers are generally noisier than other appliances, and while many would not consider a decibel rating of 50 decibels to be quiet, it would be considered quiet for a dehumidifier.