What Size Dehumidifier Do I Need For My Basement

Download Article

Dehumidifiers are helpful for removing excess moisture from indoor spaces, thus reducing water damage and harmful mold and mildew growth. Nonetheless, these appliances come in a wide range of sizes and capacities, then you may be having a hard fourth dimension figuring out which dehumidifier is the right size for your space. To pick the right dehumidifier, you lot'll demand to assess how large and damp your space is. You lot can also save energy and become the nearly out of your dehumidifier past choosing a unit with a higher capacity than what'south recommended for your space.

i
Measure the dimensions of your room or home. When choosing a dehumidifier, you'll need to accept into account the size of the space you're trying to dehumidify. If y'all don't already know how big the infinite is, use a measuring record to measure the length and width of the floor. Multiply those measurements together to notice the size of the space in foursquare feet or meters.^[1]
- For example, if you're working with a room that is 12 feet (3.7 grand) by x feet (3.0 g), and so the expanse is 120 square feet (11 m²).
Did You Know? In virtually buildings, the platonic relative humidity level (RHL) to keep the space comfortable and forestall bacteria and mold growth is effectually 30-50%. Most dehumidifiers have a built in humidistat that allows y'all to set the unit to the optimum humidity level.^[two]
2
Become a whole-house dehumidifier for a space larger than 2,500 square feet (230 m^two). If y'all need to dehumidify an entire house, information technology might be worthwhile to invest in a whole-business firm dehumidifier. You can get a unit designed to attach to a pre-existing central heating or air system, or opt for 1 that can be installed by itself. Whole-house dehumidifiers are designed to work in spaces as big as 3,000 square anxiety (280 chiliadⁱⁱ).
- While these units are expensive to buy initially, they can relieve you money and energy in the long run by helping your air conditioner work more efficiently.
Advertizement
3
Choice a desiccant dehumidifier for a cooler surround. Dehumidifiers come in 2 basic types: desiccant and refrigerant. While desiccant humidifiers tend to accept lower capacity ratings than refrigerant models, they operate much more than efficiently in lower temperatures.^[3] In general, information technology's best to employ a desiccant dehumidifier if the temperature in your space will fall below 65 °F (xviii °C).
- Desiccant dehumidifiers use a hydrophilic material similar silica gel to draw moisture out of the air. Many residential units contain single-use cartridges. They're usually more expensive to run, simply they're preferable in libation spaces.^[iv]
- Desiccant dehumidifiers also have the advantage of being quieter than refrigerant models.
4
Purchase a refrigerant model for a hot and humid space. If your infinite is consistently hot and humid, a refrigerant dehumidifier may be your all-time bet. These dehumidifiers tend to accept college chapters ratings and operate more efficiently at high temperatures than desiccant models.^[v]
- A refrigerant dehumidifier uses a heat exchange coil to excerpt moisture from the air. You tin choose a portable refrigerant dehumidifier for smaller spaces, or for a whole-home pick, you tin can choose 1 that will connect to your key air system.^[6]
- If the temperature drops below 65 °F (eighteen °C) in the infinite where you are running your refrigerant dehumidifier, ice may form on the evaporator coils and foreclose the unit from performance properly.^[7]
- Y'all can also employ a dehumidifying ventilator if you desire to move the humid air outside. These are most suitable for crawl spaces, basements, and attics.^[8]
Advertisement

1
Wait for signs of dampness to figure out how moisture your space is. While you tin mensurate the exact humidity level of a space using a humidity meter, it's usually not necessary to do precise measurements when choosing a dehumidifier. To get a full general sense of how damp your infinite is, look for clear indicators of humidity, such as condensation within the windows or damp spots on the walls. For example:^[9]
- Your infinite is moderately clammy if the air feels clammy or clammy or you notice a musty odor when the weather condition is humid.
- A very damp infinite always smells musty and feels clammy. Y'all may also notice damp spots on the flooring or walls.
- If the space is wet, you may discover water beading on the walls or floors, or moisture seeping in around the edges of the room. The room will feel and odor damp all the time.
- An extremely moisture space will have obvious standing water on the floor.
2
Go a dehumidifier with a chapters of 10–26 US pints (four.vii–12.iii L) for a moderately clammy space. The "size" of a dehumidifier actually refers to its capacity—that is, how much h2o it tin can pull out of the air in a 24-hour period. If your space is only somewhat damp, you lot won't need a super high-capacity dehumidifier. The total capacity you need will depend on how large your space is. For example:^[10]
- For a space that's 500 foursquare feet (46 grand^two), a dehumidifier with a 10 US pt (4.7 L) capacity should work.
- If your space is 1,000 foursquare anxiety (93 grand²), get a 14 US pt (6.six L) dehumidifier.
- For a 1,500 sq ft (140 m²) space, get a 18 US pt (eight.five L) dehumidifier.
- For a 2,000 sq ft (190 thou²) space, go a 22 US pt (ten L) dehumidifier.
- For a 2,500 sq ft (230 m²) infinite, become a 26 United states pt (12 50) dehumidifier.
iii
Choose a 12–32 United states pt (5.7–15.1 L) dehumidifier for a very damp space. If your space is very damp (e.g., ever musty and with damp spots on the floor and walls), opt for a slightly higher-chapters dehumidifier. You'll need to have the size of the space into account also as the level of dampness. For example, choose a dehumidifier that's:^[11]
- 12 U.s.a. pints (5.7 L) for a space that is 500 square feet (46 1000ⁱⁱ).
- 17 The states pints (viii.0 L) for a space that is 1,000 foursquare feet (93 one thousand²).
- 22 US pints (x L) for a space that is 1,500 square feet (140 one thousand²).
- 27 US pints (13 L) for a space that is ii,000 square feet (190 mⁱⁱ).
- 32 US pints (15 L) for a infinite that is 2,500 foursquare anxiety (230 m^two).
4
Buy a 14–38 US pt (half dozen.6–18.0 L) dehumidifier for a wet space. For wet spaces (e.g., where at that place is seepage or sweating on the walls and floors), y'all'll need a more powerful unit. Select your dehumidifier capacity based on the size of your space. For case, get a dehumidifier that is:^[12]
- 14 United states of america pints (6.six L) for a space that is 500 square feet (46 thouⁱⁱ).
- 20 US pints (9.5 L) for a space that is 1,000 square feet (93 m²).
- 26 US pints (12 L) for a space that is 1,500 foursquare feet (140 m²).
- 32 Usa pints (xv L) for a infinite that is 2,000 square feet (190 one thousandⁱⁱ).
- 38 US pints (18 L) for a space that is 2,500 foursquare feet (230 m²).
v
Get for a 16–44 US pt (seven.6–20.eight L) dehumidifier for a very wet infinite. If your infinite is wet enough to have standing water, buy a high-capacity dehumidifier based on the size of your space. For example, get a dehumidifier that is:^[xiii]
- 16 The states pints (7.6 L) for a space that is 500 square anxiety (46 thousand²).
- 23 US pints (11 L) for a space that is 1,000 square feet (93 m²).
- xxx Usa pints (xiv L) for a space that is one,500 square feet (140 1000²).
- 37 US pints (18 L) for a infinite that is 2,000 square anxiety (190 yard²).
- 44 United states of america pints (21 L) for a space that is two,500 foursquare anxiety (230 thousand²).
half dozen
Purchase a dehumidifier with a higher rating than you need to relieve energy. While larger dehumidifiers are more expensive to buy initially, y'all may ultimately save money and energy past choosing a motorcar that's a little higher-chapters than necessary. A higher-capacity dehumidifier won't take to work as hard to keep a space dry out as i that'south exactly the recommended capacity for the room.
- For example, even if you lot're but dehumidifying a small room—eastward.thou., a 144 sq ft (thirteen.4 thousand²) bedroom—it might be worthwhile to invest in a dehumidifier that's rated for 500 square anxiety (46 m²) in a similarly clammy environment.
- You lot can get large portable dehumidifiers with a capacity of up to lxx US pints (33 Fifty) per twenty-four hour period.
Tip: In addition to saving free energy and wear and tear, getting a larger dehumidifier than you lot need can assist yous reduce noise past allowing you lot to run the machine at a lower setting.

Advertisement

Add New Question

Question

How do I know what size dehumidifier I need for my domicile?

Victor Belavus is an Air Workout Specialist and the Owner of 212 HVAC, an air condition repair and installation company based in Brooklyn, New York. In addition to HVAC and air conditioning units, Victor also specializes in furnace repair and air duct cleaning. He has over 10 years of experience working with HVAC systems.

Air Conditioning Specialist

Practiced Answer

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your electronic mail accost to get a bulletin when this question is answered.

Submit

While a dehumidifier can help keep a room or home dry, you'll get the most out of it if you make an endeavor to keep excess moisture out of your space in the start place. You tin can keep your habitation drier past using vents and extractor fans in kitchens and showers, opening the windows and doors when the weather is absurd and dry, and keeping your space well-insulated and heated in cold atmospheric condition.^[14]
Many key ac systems accept born dehumidifiers. If yous have central AC and your space is still humid, have a technician look at your air conditioner to make certain it is operation properly.
In full general, there is no need to do elaborate calculations (such as the rate of airflow in your space or the exact book of the surface area y'all desire to dehumidify) to determine what kind of dehumidifier you demand. Simply look for a dehumidifier that is rated for the size (in foursquare feet or meters) and dampness level of your infinite.

About This Commodity

Article Summary 10

If yous're non sure what size dehumidifier to get, starting time by measuring the dimensions of your room or dwelling to decide the square footage. If your space is larger than 2,500 square feet, you'll probably want to go with a whole-house dehumidifier. Otherwise, if your infinite is smaller, look for a smaller model that'south designed for the number of square anxiety you're trying to dehumidify. In improver to square footage, you'll need to take the current humidity levels in your domicile into consideration. If your space is just moderately damp, look for a dehumidifier with a smaller capacity. Alternatively, if your infinite is very wet, you should expect for a model with a higher capacity. To learn how to determine how humid your infinite is, scroll downwards!

Did this summary aid you?

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 562,495 times.

Did this article help you?