Choosing the Right Dehumidifier for Your Home: A Comprehensive Guide
Do you have a humidity problem in your home? If so, you may need to buy a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers are devices that remove moisture from the air, and they come in many different sizes. So, how do you choose the right size dehumidifier for your space? In this blog post, we will help you figure that out!
First, it’s important to understand the purpose of a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers work by removing excess moisture from the air in your home or basement. This can help reduce mold and mildew growth, keep dust mites at bay, prevent wood damage, and make breathing easier for those with allergies or asthma. Now that you understand the purpose of a dehumidifier, how do you choose the right size?
If it’s only one room that’s damp and it has high water moisture levels – such as a laundry room or bathroom – you can get away with one dehumidifier in your home. However, if you need to lower the RH levels throughout your whole house, you should invest in a whole-house dehumidifier with a big capacity to keep the RH percentage under control. Keep these things in mind when choosing the right size dehumidifier for your space, and you'll be sure to find one that works well for you!
Measure the Room's Size
A space is considered damp if it has a musty aroma in humid weather or occasionally feels damp or clammy.
* A space is very damp if it is always damp and musty.
* A space is wet if it occasionally has visible condensation or the ceiling or walls.
* A space is very wet if it always has visible condensation or standing water.
Once you’ve determined that a room has excessive humidity, measure the room’s dimensions to determine the size humidifier you need. Use a tape measure to determine the room’s length and width and multiply to determine the square footage. For instance, a 12- by 12-foot room will have square footage of 144 feet.
A good rule of thumb is to purchase a dehumidifier with at least 10 times the capacity of your room’s volume. To calculate your room’s volume, simply multiply the width, length and height of your room together. For example, if your room is 10 feet by 10 feet by 8 feet, its volume would be 640 cubic feet. In this case, you would purchase a dehumidifier with at least 6,400 square foot capacity.
Check the Room's Moisture Level
The next step is to check the moisture level in your room. Dehumidifier capacity is measured in pints per day, which are also known as "ppd." For every 10 ppd of moisture removal you will need at least one pint of capacity for up to 60 ppd for a larger space. To find out the exact level of moisture in your room, you can purchase a hygrometer.
Compare Room Size vs. Moisture Level for Dehumidifier Size
Dehumidifier capacity is rated by the amount of moisture removed in 24 hours, so a 30-pint humidifier is rated to remove 30 pints of moisture in one day.
◆ Use a 30-pint dehumidifier (or a unit between 24- and 39-pint capacity) in the following conditions:
Damp rooms of 500-1,500 square feet
Very damp rooms of 500-1,000 square feet
Wet and extremely wet rooms of 500 square feet
◆ Use a 50-pint dehumidifier (or a unit between 40- and 59-pint capacity) in the following conditions:
Damp rooms of 2,000-2,500 square feet
Very damp rooms of 1,500-2,000 square feet
Wet rooms of 1,000-1,500 square feet
Extremely wet rooms of 1,000 square feet
◆ Use a 70-pint dehumidifier (or one with 60-pint capacity or greater) in the following conditions:
Very damp rooms of 2,500 square feet
Wet rooms of 2,000-2,500 square feet
Very wet rooms of 1,500-2,500 square feet
A room with damp surfaces or a constantly musty odor may need a dehumidifier, which will need to work harder in an extremely wet space than one that’s mildly damp. You can use a humidity meter to measure a room’s moisture or assess it based on these general criteria.
To find the capacity for a single room like a basement or office, match the square footage of your space to the humidity conditions in your room.
For larger areas like basements, crawl spaces, or whole house applications, you'll want to choose a dehumidifier based on whether your building is loosely, moderately, or tightly sealed.
Choose Dehumidifier Features Carefully
When shopping for a dehumidifier, make sure to pay close attention to its features as they will determine how well it works and how much energy it uses. Common features to look out for include an adjustable humidistat, a timer, an automatic shut-off and drainage feature, filters to remove dust particles, and an indicator light that tells you when it’s time to empty the water bucket.
In Conclusion
So, what size dehumidifier do you need for your home? The answer to that question will vary depending on the size of your space and how humid it is. But we’ve provided some tips to help make the decision a little easier. If you have any questions about which model might be best for your needs, don’t hesitate to contact us. We want to make sure you find the perfect dehumidifier for your home and keep those humidity levels under control! In conclusion, choosing the right size dehumidifier is important in order to get the most out of your machine. By following our tips, you can select the perfect model for your needs and enjoy years of comfortable humidity levels in your home.
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