If you want to buy a dehumidifier for your home, the first thing you need to think about is the size you need. If you don’t know which model to buy or how to figure out which dehumidifier size you need, this guide will explain how to find out.
Dehumidifier Sizing
Picking the best dehumidifier for your basement or bedroom that is correctly sized is important. Buying a model that's larger than what you need isn't a problem, but it will be more expensive.
Buying something smaller will be inefficient and lead to poor air humidity reduction which means money wasted. That's why choosing carefully is important to ensure you buy what you need while also avoiding wasting money.
The size in pints of any dehumidifier tells you how much moisture it removes each day. This can range from anywhere between 10 pints up to 75 or even higher depending on model.
For home use, we always recommend a 70 pint dehumidifier. This is because they aren’t much more expensive than a 30 pint model but will dehumidify your home much faster.
Consider Room Conditions
To ensure the best results, you need to make sure that your dehumidifier is matched to the conditions of your home. If a room is small but has high humidity levels, then an electric unit with higher capacity will be necessary.
If there are any rooms in your home that experience extreme moisture levels or spaces twice as large as other areas, you should also invest in more powerful (higher capacity) dehumidifiers which are better suited to these scenarios.
We recommend using a hygrometer to find out just how humid your home is. If above 60% RH, we recommend going straight to the 70 pint dehumidifier.
Other Considerations
There are several other factors which you should consider when choosing a capacity rating:
- If you are living in a very humid climate, get a model with 10 pint higher capacity rating.
- If there are multiple people in your home, add an additional 5 pints.
- If the space you want to dehumidify has multiple windows and doors, add an additional 5 pints.
- If there is a washer or a dryer in the room, add an additional 5 pints.
Final Verdict
To find the most effective dehumidifier for your home, you must carefully consider all these factors. Buying a dehumidifier that is overkill is far better than one that struggles to maintain an acceptable humidity level.
Always make use of a hygrometer is possible and be sure to get an idea of the overall square footage of your home and the main rooms you need to dehumidify.