Using a dehumidifier is your best defense in the fight against high humidity conditions. Dehumidifiers pull moisture out of the air to avoid mold, mildew, and uncomfortable conditions. This dehumidifier buying guide will help you find the best dehumidifier for your space. If you are looking for a commercial dehumidifier, take a look at this Industrial Dehumidifier Buying Guide
- Benefits of a Dehumidifier
- Ideal Places for a Dehumidifier
- Types of Dehumidifiers: Find the Right One for You
- Choosing the Right Size Dehumidifier
- Draining Your Dehumidifier
- Features To Look For
- Noise Level
- Dehumidifier Maintenance
- How Dehumidifiers Work
Benefits of a Dehumidifier
In the simplest terms, dehumidifiers lower the humidity level in a space. They create a more comfortable environment that’s free of clammy-feeling air, muggy conditions, and unhealthy mold growth.
Typically, an indoor humidity level above 60 percent is considered high. We recommend maintaining a humidity level between 50 and 55 percent to create the healthiest and most comfortable indoor environment.
Dehumidifiers provide many benefits:
- Prevents Mold and Mildew Growth: Maintaining a healthier humidity level over time helps stop a mold or mildew problem before it happens. Mold and mildew spores thrive and reproduce in hot, humid conditions above 60.
- Manages Your Allergies: High humidity can intensify common household allergy triggers like dust mites, mold spores, and airborne bacteria, all of which can grow and reproduce rapidly in humid conditions.
- Pest Control: Like common household allergens, pests such as cockroaches, spiders, silverfish, and centipedes crave a moist environment.
- Supplements Air Conditioner: Using a dehumidifier to supplement your central air conditioner keeps the air dry and frees your AC from working overtime to try to cool your humid space.
- Maintains Structural Integrity of your Home: Excess moisture, particularly in your crawl space or basement, can lead to infrastructure damage including rotting support beams, buckling floorboards, and damage to hardwood floors.
Ideal Places for a Dehumidifier
Dehumidifiers are great solutions for a variety of areas in your home, from your kitchen to your basement or garage. Here is a list of common areas where you might use a dehumidifier:
- Basements
- Crawl spaces
- Kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms
- Bedrooms
- Garages and workshops
- Spa and indoor pool areas
Looking for a dehumidifier? Browse basement dehumidifiers, crawl space options, and single-room models for effective moisture control in your home or office.
Which Type of Dehumidifier Do You Need?
- Portable Residential Dehumidifiers: These are perfect for single rooms or crawl spaces. They are typically easy to use and move as needed. Danby dehumidifiers are customer-favorite portable and single-room dehumidifiers.
- Whole-House Dehumidifiers: For people who want dehumidification in all rooms or to keep dehumidifiers out of the way. Whole-house dehumidifiers work in conjunction with your HVAC system.
- Desiccant Dehumidifiers: Desiccant dehumidifiers are especially popular for low-temperature dehumidification. Unlike most dehumidifiers, they don't use refrigeration systems (instead, air passes over a rotating wheel with silica gel to remove moisture).
Choosing the Right Size Dehumidifier
A dehumidifier's size is determined by its total capacity to remove moisture. Capacity is rated in pints of moisture removed per day.
To help simplify your choice in size, consult our handy sizing chart below:
| Dehumidifier Sizing Chart | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conditions in your Space | 300 sq.ft. | 500 sq.ft. | 800 sq.ft. | 1,200 sq.ft. |
| Slightly Damp 50-60% Humidity Air feels slightly heavy |
20 pint | 25-30 pint | 35-40 pint | 50 pint |
| Moderately Damp 60-70% Humidity Occasional musty odor |
20 pint | 25-30 pint | 35-40 pint | 50 pint |
| Very Damp 70-80% Humidity Wet spots on walls & floor |
25 pint | 30 pint | 45 pint | 55 pint |
| Wet 80-100% RH Seepage/ some mold |
25-30 pint | 35-40 pint | 45-50 pint | 60 pint |
| Basement, Crawl Space, Whole House Dehumidifier Sizing | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building Conditions | 70-80 pints | 75-100 pints | 100-155 pints | |
| Loosely Sealed | up to 1,800 sq.ft. | up to 2,200 sq.ft. | up to 3,600 sq.ft. | |
| Moderately Sealed | up to 2,200 sq.ft. | up to 2,600 sq.ft. | up to 4,000 sq.ft. | |
| Tightly Sealed | up to 2,600 sq.ft. | up to 3,000 sq.ft. | up to 4,400 sq.ft. | |
Note: Dehumidifier testing standards changed in 2020. Dehumidifiers are now tested in colder temperatures, which lowers their total pint capacities compared to older models. Learn more about the most recently updated dehumidifier testing standards (2020).
Get more detailed information on choosing a dehumidifier size in our article How To Choose the Right Size Dehumidifier.
Draining Your Dehumidifier
{{wistiaembed('8yqsfu5qt4')}}Dehumidifiers that use refrigeration systems to remove moisture have to get rid of the collected moisture somehow. This is where draining comes in. There are three main methods of draining: manually emptying the bucket, using gravity draining with a drain port, or adding an external condensate pump.
Learn all about How to Drain Your Dehumidifier.
Features To Look For
All residential dehumidifiers have added features that add convenience.
- Automatic Humidistat: A humidistat automatically maintains your desired level of humidity by triggering the dehumidifier to run only when needed. Helps energy savings too.
- Programmable Timer: Program startup and shutoff times based on your needs.
-
Various Operating Modes and Speeds: Choose from multiple speeds and modes to find the right level of dehumidification for your needs.
- Casters and Handles: Casters and carrying handles aid in portability.
- Automatic Restart: Loss of power protection automatically restarts a dehumidifier in the event of a power failure. Great for basements!
- Internal Condensate Pump: Most commercial/industrial dehumidifiers have pumps instead of water reservoirs since they remove larger amounts of moisture.
Noise Level
Keep in mind that the vast majority of dehumidifiers, especially those with compressors and fans, work by physically moving air through them. This process makes noise, which varies from model to model.
Some units are advertised as having "quiet operation." With these models, manufacturers have taken certain steps to reduce noise, such as insulating the fan or using a smoother-running fan.
| Decibel Comparison Chart | |
|---|---|
| Decibels (dB) | Source |
| 10 dB | Empty Room (No people or running appliances) |
| 20 dB | Breathing |
| 30 dB | Whisper |
| 40 dB | Stream |
| 50 dB | Refrigerator |
| 60 dB | Conversation in a restaurant or office |
| 70 dB | Dishwasher or Shower |
| 80 dB | Kitchen Blender |
The noise level of a dehumidifier is measured in decibels (dB). A maximum dB rating of 40 to 50 dB is about average for dehumidifiers, which is comfortable to talk over, but you will hear it.
- 0-30 decibels (dB) is considered Very Quiet.
- 31-60 decibels (dB) is considered Quiet.
- 61-80 decibels (dB) is considered Annoying.
- More than 80 decibels (dB) is considered Potentially Damaging.
Dehumidifier Maintenance
Maintaining your dehumidifier will ensure that you get the most out of your investment. The best resource for maintenance is the manufacturer's tips in the owner's manual which usually include a parts list should you need a replacement, as well as these instructions.
- Cleaning and/or replacing air filters as needed
- Draining the unit before storage season
- Instructions for cleaning your dehumidifier and water reservoir
- Troubleshooting recommendations
- Contact information for warranty service
Dehumidifiers can last anywhere from 3 to 15 years. Performing the recommended maintenance and keeping your unit in good condition helps lengthen the operating lifespan. Learn more about how to take care of your dehumidifier in our article Maintaining Your Dehumidifier.
In Summary
This dehumidifier buying guide will help you find the right model for your home or office space. You can discover the correct size, find a model with or without an internal pump for draining, and include the features you want.
Still Have Questions?
We know choosing a dehumidifier isn't an easy decision. To learn more about dehumidifiers, visit our Dehumidifier Knowledge Center.
Not sure what's best for you? We can take the guesswork out of decision-making. Call us at 1-800-934-9194. We want to help make your indoors healthy and comfortable.
