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air travel timbre can suffer in numberless way of life . Excess humidity rate among the least desirable result . Left unchecked , moisture buildup can guide to several problems within the home including , but not limited to , fusty odors , warped Ellen Price Wood , peeling blusher , and mold .

If at any point during the class , you become interested about the gamey humidity level deep down , what can you do to alter the status quo ? One word : dehumidifier . We consulted Josh Mitchell , HVAC technician and owner of Air Conditioner Lab , and Dan Mingle , Vice President of Denver - basedSanders & Johnson Heating & Cooling , for their expert insights on how to choose a dehumidifier for your home .

What Size Dehumidifier Do I Need

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What’s the purpose of a dehumidifier?

Dehumidifiers help cut excess wet and water damage within the home , which makes it well-fixed to breathe . “ This excessive moisture often results from regional climate , poor ventilation , daily bodily function like cookery and showering , or even structural return such as moist basements , ” Mitchell says .

Dehumidifying also helps stop mold , mildew , and even dust mites from spread out throughout the home . This is an of import preventative bill , given that mold is drawn to many common construction materials , like ceiling tile , Sir Henry Joseph Wood , and wood products .

concord to theCDC , pic to damp , mouldy environments can cause a variety of wellness problem that range from mild symptom , like a stuffy nose or wheezing , to more serious symptoms such as febricity , truncation of breath , and the ontogenesis of asthma attack in children .

Man sneezing in his house

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“ One of the most striking transmutation I witnessed was with a family constantly battling mould in their basement , ” Mitchell explicate . “ Their son had allergies , which were deepen by the spore . After installing a dehumidifier , the mold topic drastically pull away , and the mob reported a pregnant improvement in their son ’s wellness and a freshman spirit in their home . It was a clear case where control humidness directly bolster well - being . ”

How does a dehumidifier work?

Dehumidifiersrange in sizing from portable , one - room units to whole - household solutions that tie into the home ’s HVAC organization . Though variation exist both in product design and quality , most dehumidifiers form the same way . You configure the favourite humidity level , and when the humidistat registers a level that exceeds your preference , the dehumidifier clicks on .

drive by a fan , moist air moves through the appliance , where it expire over a moth-eaten metal coil . At that point , the wet condenses into water system , which the unit stores internally or drains away . The filtered air then passes over a warm coil before retort to the home ’s conditioned infinite . The owner just needs to on a regular basis empty any collect water .

“ Today ’s market offers dehumidifiers with fascinating upgrades like built - in hygrometer , auto shut - off , and uninterrupted drainage options , making them more user - friendly than ever . I ’d say , look for models with Energy Star ratings for efficiency , ” Mitchell says . “ Features like digital humidity readout , user - friendly control , and perhaps even wireless local area web connectivity for smart menage can be worth the extra investment , count on your need . ”

The Self Draining 50 Pint Dehumidifier

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Does my home need a dehumidifier?

Before jump out to corrupt the first dehumidifier that you witness , first figure out if you really need one . take these steps will help you determine if your nursing home is too humid , and your next the right-hand size for your blank . make up attending to central factors about the product and your family to figure out what size dehumidifier you involve , along with the character and efficiency level that would be most appropriate to subdue the humidity .

Test for excess moisture.

There are severalsigns of high humidityin a domicile that can avail you determine that you require a dehumidifier . Inspect the windows and doors for fogging or excess condensate and note whether any moisture is accumulating on the walls or ceilings .

If you see some of these signs but are n’t certain whether your home has been experiencing important moisture issues , research the problem by purchase and monitoring a humidity gage , also known as ahygrometer . This twist monitors the indoor air quality and report the indication .

For most homes , a humidness grade of between 30 and 60 percent should n’t cause offspring , but narrowing the range to about 30 to 50 percent will avail check that the air is easy to breathe and the home is comfortable . humidness levels higher than this ideal mountain chain should be treated with a dehumidifier .

Overhead shot of woman emptying dehumidifier tank

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Determine the scope of the problem.

Is the entire house overly humid , or is the issue confined to one area , such as the cellar ? The scope of the problem now determines the nature of the solution . Larger whole - home dehumidifiers link up into the HVAC system and include a waste pipe that empties direct into a slop sink , cesspool pump , or to the outdoors . These types of dehumidifiers are n’t cheap and typically involve professional initiation .

“ orotund or multi - story home can gain from whole - house dehumidifiers since they can efficaciously bring off humidity level on all floors and in all rooms , providing comforter throughout the household , ” Mingle says .

Portable dehumidifiers , meanwhile , are much less expensive and much more consumer - friendly . They punch right into the wall and operate via built - in port that are easy to understand and configure . Some portable dehumidifiers are fit out with hoses that can enfeeble or pump out gather up body of water automatically ; others have a collection bucketful that must be emptied on a regular groundwork .

A dehumidifier inside a house

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What size dehumidifier do I need?

Even dehumidifiers of the same introductory design can dissent in capacity . For a 500 - substantial - foot blank , prime asmall dehumidifierthat can hold 10 pints of water ; tote up 4 pints of content for every extra 500 straightforward ft . To define the size of humidifier for a 1,000 - square - groundwork cellar , you ’d need to add 4 pints for a entire 14 - pint capacity .

For a very damp basement or other space , it might be necessary to increase the size of the dehumidifier to efficiently remove the increase level of moisture from the air . Choose a dehumidifier that holds 12 pint of water for a 500 - straight - foot infinite , bring 5 pints for every additional 500 square feet .

When searching for a dehumidifier , Mingle paint a picture consider these factors :

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“ First , the pint capacitance of a dehumidifier is crucial , as it prescribe the amount of wet it can remove from the air in a 24 - time of day menstruum , making it important to choose a capacity that matches the size of your space and its wet level . The tank size of it is every bit important , as it stores the collected wet , ” Mingle keep . “ Dehumidifiers with large army tank or car shut - off functions when the tankful is full are advisable , especially in high - humidness areas . To maintain ideal humidity levels , having a humidistat , either build - in or separate , is beneficial . ”

Factors to Consider When Purchasing a Dehumidifier

1. The size of the home

The straight footage of the home or of the way where you will set up the dehumidifier is the main deciding broker for choosing a product , but there are other menage conditions that can affect the humidity spirit level in the abode and what sizing humidifier you need .

2. The number of people living in the home

hoi polloi deplete weewee , sweat , and breathe out hot , humid airwave , which is why the more people live in the home , the higher the humidity will be . In most home , the humidness produced by humans is comparatively insignificant , but tumid families of six or more multitude might want to count a larger dehumidifier to handle increased humidity level .

3. Doors and windows in the home

The size and number of threshold and windows in the dwelling house can also influence the humidness levels indoors . window and doors give up heat to change more easily into the menage , so the more windows and door , the gamy the humidness . Similarly , very large windows are pathetic nonconductor , leading to higher grade of humidity .

4. Number and location of bathrooms and laundry facilities

Laundry suite and bathrooms can regard a home ’s humidness level when you use the washing car or shower , so it ’s significant to invest in a dehumidifier that can deal the increased moisture in the airwave .

In sum-up , when influence what size of it dehumidifier is veracious for you view the size of the room or home , plus :

5. Energy efficiency.

Energy Star - rated dehumidifiers utilize about 15 pct less DOE than conventional unit . In the long running game , that mean a savings of approximately $ 175 over the life sentence of a dehumidifier , not to note avoid or so 2,800 pounds ’ worth of greenhouse gas pedal emissions .

Dehumidifierscan put up a continuous stream of fresh , dry air in the home , resulting in an energy - efficient root thatimproves indoor air qualityandkeeps mold growth at bayall time of year long .

“ In my own home , I use a Frigidaire dehumidifier . It ’s DOE - efficient , operates quietly , and maintains humidity levels impeccably , which is particularly useful during our humid summers , ” Mitchell says .

Pros and Cons of Using Dehumidifiers

PROS

CONS

FAQs

Q. Can a dehumidifier be too big?

Most dehumidifiers have a built - in humidistat to measure out the ambient humidity , so while an oversize dehumidifier can get the tune in the home base to dry out out quickly , it should shut off when the humidity levels reach the prefer setting .

However , without this machinelike measurement and control , a dehumidifier can be too large for the outer space . It can dry out out the air quickly to the point where it is too dry and you might need a humidifier to aid reverse the effects .

Q. Can one dehumidifier do a whole house?

Awhole - house dehumidifier is intended for this precise use . These products can have a orbit that exceed 5,000 straight feet , let them to condition the air throughout the home .

Q. Should you leave a dehumidifier on all the time?

No , do not leave the dehumidifier on all the metre . Not only is it unnecessary , but excessively ironical air can extend to external respiration problem , like bronchitis , sinusitis , bronchial asthma , and nosebleeds .

Q. How often should I empty my dehumidifier?

The relative frequency with which you empty the dehumidifier depends on how often the machine runs . Typically , a dehumidifier should be emptied twice a mean solar day , but some homes might only need to empty the pail once every 2 days or so . Just be persevering about checking the dehumidifier when it is first set up to get a better understanding of how long it charter for the dehumidifier bucketful to meet up .

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