How to choose the right size dehumidifier for your home

High humidity levels in your home can make life pretty uncomfortable. Beyond just feeling sticky and muggy, prolonged exposure to excessive moisture can cause some serious health problems. Extra dampness in the home can cause mold and mildew growth, rotting wood, peeling paint, and an increase in pests like dust mites, among other issues.

Investing in a dehumidifier is crucial for any home prone to high humidity. These appliances work by pulling moist air into the unit and condensing the water out, leaving drier air to circulate back into the room.

With so many options on the market ranging from small portable units to whole-home dehumidifiers, it can be tricky to determine what size and type you need. Let’s go over all the key factors to consider when choosing the right dehumidifier for your living space.

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What is a dehumidifier?

A dehumidifier is a household appliance that removes excess moisture from the air to lower the humidity level. To do this, they draw in warm, moisture-laden air, which passes through cold coils in the machine. The air condenses its water content, which is collected in a reservoir. Dry air is then recirculated.

Dehumidifiers are commonly used to reduce dampness in basements, crawlspaces, attics and other areas that have a higher potential for mold/mildew growth. They are also used to improve indoor air quality in humid climates.

There are several different types of dehumidifiers. Whole-house dehumidifiers continually treat large areas, while portable ones can be moved between rooms as needed. There are also thermal electric and desiccant models. When choosing one, it’s important to understand the square footage of your space and the capacity of different dehumidifiers, which is measured in pints/liters removed per day.

How do I choose the right size dehumidifier?

Measure the size of the space

The first step in choosing a dehumidifier is determining the square footage of the space you want to dehumidify. Having accurate room dimensions provides a baseline for choosing a unit with sufficient dehumidifying power without being oversized.

For a single room, simply multiply the length by the width to calculate the total square footage.

To dehumidify a whole level of a home or multiple rooms, measure each space and add up all the totals.

Average room sizes:

• Average bedroom: 150-250 square feet
• Average Living room – 250 to 350 square feet
• Average basement – 500 to 800 square feet

If you have rooms with cathedral or vaulted ceilings over 8 ft tall, you’ll need to factor in the additional vertical space when calculating total square footage.

Tip: Create a simple sketch with length and width measurements for each room you want to dehumidify. This makes it easy to reference as you size your dehumidifier.

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Evaluate dampness levels

While square footage establishes a starting point, determining the actual moisture level in your space will help you find the intensity of dehumidifying you’ll need.

Use a hygrometer to check the current relative humidity percentage. The ideal levels are:

• Summer – 40% to 60% humidity
• Winter – 30% to 50% humidity

If humidity is consistently above those ranges, a dehumidifier is recommended to bring levels down.

Some signs of excess dampness:

• Condensation accumulating on windows and walls
• Visible mold or mildew in corners or closets
• Peeling paint or warped floors
• Musty, earthy odor in the air

The higher the current humidity and the more noticeable the moisture damage, the larger the capacity dehumidifier you’ll need to fix the issue.

Local climate considerations

Several geographic and seasonal factors also impact the humidity inside your home. If any of the following conditions apply, increase your dehumidifier’s capacity to account for the additional moisture load:

• Local climate – Coastal and Southern regions have more humid outdoor conditions that influence indoor spaces.
• Changing seasons – Summer heat and humidity make dehumidification more challenging than in cooler, drier months.
• Number of doors/windows – Lots of exterior access points make it easier for moisture to enter and harder to control.
• Nearby moisture sources – Showers, laundry, dishwashers, and pools add significant water vapor to the air.

Dehumidifier capacity options

Now that you know the room details, you can zero in on the appropriate dehumidifying power required.

The capacity of a dehumidifier is measured by the number of pints of water it removes per day. This measurement is obtained by conducting an Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM)  verified test under standardized conditions.

Typical capacities:

• Small: 25-35 pints per day
• Medium: 35-50 pints per day
• Large: 50-75 pints per day
• Extra large: 75+ pints per day

Note: “Pints per day” refers to the amount removed in 24 hours, not continuously.

Use this general capacity guide to match your room size and conditions with a dehumidifier:

• 150-300 square foot damp room – Small dehumidifier (25-35 pints)
• 300-500 square foot humid room – Medium dehumidifier (35-50 pints)
• 500-1,500 square foot wet basement – Large dehumidifier (50-75 pints)
• 2,000+ square foot whole home – Extra Large dehumidifier (75+ pints)

For severely damp spaces, size up to the next highest capacity.

Whole home vs. portable units

To dehumidify an entire house, look for an extra large 70-100 pint capacity whole-home dehumidifier. These units are installed in ductwork to treat the full volume of air circulating.

For treating specific problem rooms, portable dehumidifiers are ideal. You can place a medium 35-50 pint unit in a humid bedroom or a large 50-75 pint model in a wet basement as needed.

Noise and energy efficiency

Larger capacity dehumidifiers move more air, so they tend to operate louder. For use in living areas like bedrooms or family rooms, look for units rated at <50 decibels for quieter operation.

Higher pint capacities also consume more electricity. Seek out Energy Star-certified models that use less energy for the same moisture removal.

Selecting the properly sized dehumidifier for your needs ensures it will run efficiently, quietly, and cost-effectively.

Additional features to look for

Once you’ve found the correct capacity, consider the following features when choosing a specific dehumidifier model:

• Pump drain – Empties condensate into the sink drain so there’s no need to empty the bucket
• Humidistat – This lets you set the exact desired humidity percentage
• Built-in hygrometer – Displays real-time humidity readings
• Turbo mode – Runs at maximum speed to quickly dry excess moisture
• Washable filter – Prevents dust/debris from reducing airflow
• Automatic louvers – Direct airflow where you need it
• Casters – Make it easy to move portable units around

Why humidity control matters

By taking steps to regulate indoor humidity, you can protect your health, structures, and belongings and maintain energy efficiency in your home. Controlling humidity also helps maintain comfort in living areas and helps you avoid costly moisture-related problems.

1. Prevents mold and mildew

Damp conditions allow mold spores floating in the air to take root and multiply. As it grows, mold releases toxins that can cause respiratory issues and allergic reactions. Dehumidifiers help keep humidity low enough to inhibit mold growth.

2. Reduces pests like dust mites

Microscopic arachnids called dust mites thrive in humid, warm environments. Over time, their feces and decaying bodies build up and aggravate allergies and asthma. Dehumidifiers keep moisture levels too low for dust mites to proliferate.

3. Protects furnishings and building materials

Excess moisture in the home can cause warping, cracking, peeling, and decay in wood floors, furniture, drywall, books, and artworks. Keeping humidity around 50% prevents this kind of damage.

4. Improves air quality and comfort

Humid air feels heavy and oppressive. It also allows more dust mites, mold spores, viruses, and allergens to float around. Dehumidifying makes the air feel fresher and more breathable.

5. Saves energy and associated costs

Removing moisture allows you to set your A/C higher without the air feeling muggy. This means big savings on cooling bills!

More information

Thanks for reading! With the right dehumidifier correctly sized for your unique living situation, you’ll enjoy cleaner, healthier air and avoid numerous humidity-related problems.

If you have further questions or need replacement parts for your dehumidifier or other home appliances, grab your model number and visit us at AppliancePartsPros.com to place an order. If you need some extra help, we’re here for you! Check out thousands of video tutorials, chat with a pro on our website, or call us at 1-877-477-7278.

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