Kara Zorn on May 12, 2014 14 Comments Choosing the best dehumidifier for your home can be overwhelming due to the many types, options, and features, but we have the information you need to help you make the right purchase. Below we answer some of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to dehumidifiers. What size dehumidifier do I need? What does a dehumidifier’s capacity mean? Which model would minimize operating costs? Would a dehumidifier add some heat into the area in which it is located? For larger spaces would I be better off with a “whole house” unit or a couple of smaller models? Are dehumidifiers noisy? What is the difference between a dehumidifier with a pump vs without? What is a drain hose? What is the lowest temperature dehumidifiers can operate in? If you have a question about dehumidifiers that you don’t see listed here, please leave us a comment below or give us a call at 1.800.297.6076. What size dehumidifier do I need? The capacity that you need depends on several factors, the most important of which are the area that needs to be dehumidified and the humidity level in that area. Please view the following chart to approximate the capacity of the dehumidifier that you need: Back to Top What does a dehumidifier’s capacity mean? Dehumidifiers are rated by the maximum amount of humidity or moisture that they will remove from the air in a 24 hour period. For example, a 40 pint dehumidifier is rated to remove 40 pints of moisture from the air in a 24 hour period. Keep in mind that even though the dehumidifier may be removing 40 pints of moisture a day the unit may only have a 25 pint storage tank so you will need to manually empty the reservoir bucket in order to achieve the unit’s maximum capacity. To avoid this issue you would need to purchase a unit that offers a direct drain option so the unit may continuously expel the moisture into a nearby drain in your area negating the need to manually empty the holding tank. Back to Top Which model would minimize operating costs? Start by selecting a unit that is “Energy Star” rated. The Energy Star rating is an international designation indicating that an appliance has been deemed energy efficient. The dehumidifiers that offer this designation are clearly marked on our website. You will also need to make certain that you do not select a dehumidifier that is too small for the area you wish to cover and the humidity level that you wish to maintain. An undersized dehumidifier will run more often which will in turn use more energy than a properly sized unit. Back to Top Would a dehumidifier add some heat into the area in which it is located? Yes, a dehumidifier will add some heat into its immediate environment. The amount of heat will vary greatly depending on the size of the unit and the area it is operating within. The warmer the temperature the unit is operating within the more efficiently the unit will be able to remove moisture from the air. It is conceivable in smaller areas that a dehumidifier may raise the ambient temperature 5 to 8 degrees. Conversely, a dehumidifier will cease to operate if the environment becomes too cold. This is an important factor to consider if you are attempting to dehumidify a basement area that is not heated. Check the specifications of the unit you are considering for more information on the units operating parameters. Back to Top For larger spaces would I be better off with a “whole house” unit or a couple of smaller models? While there are many models that claim to dehumidify large areas their true effectiveness is dictated by the airflow within the operating environment. If air is unable to easily flow from one room to another it will greatly reduce the effectiveness of a whole house unit. In these situations you may need to employ a ceiling fan or smaller portable fans to increase the airflow between the rooms and to the dehumidifier. Another option would be to purchase two smaller units and place them at opposite ends of the home. Back to Top Are dehumidifiers noisy? Although noise is a very subjective topic, the average dehumidifier is typically not as loud as a window or portable air conditioning unit. However, a dehumidifier will make some noise during operation so you may want to plan on locating the unit in a part of your home other than the bedroom or any room where you require low levels of sound. As a frame of reference, the average home dehumidifier is rated around 55-60 dB, or about the same as human speech. Back to Top What are the differences between a dehumidifier with a pump vs without? Having a dehumidifier with a pump is a great added convenience, it automatically pumps the moisture out through a tube connected to a sink, outside of a window or anywhere else. Since they are automatic, the water can be pumped out vertically. When a dehumidifier does not have a pump, a reservoir will fill with water that is being removed from the air and it has to manually be emptied out. A dehumidifier with an internal condensate pump can be more expensive, but comes in handy when no one is around to empty the dehumidifier, the water bucket is too heavy to lift, or the dehumidifier is in hard to reach place like an attic or crawl space. Back to Top What is a drain hose? For dehumidifiers that don’t have a pump, they sometimes come with a drain hose that uses gravity to help drain the water. By placing the dehumidifier higher up, the drain hose can be connected to allow water to flow down and out into a sink, tub, or outside. It’s important to note that because the water removal relies on gravity it can only flow downwards, not vertically, like a dehumidifier with a built in pump. Back to Top What is the lowest temperature dehumidifiers can operate in? Most residential dehumidifiers can operate in temperatures between 41-44 degrees. Industrial desiccant dehumidifiers operate in subzero temperatures. Since each unit differs be sure to check the specifications to look for the specific operating temperature. Back to Top
David says June 13, 2015 at 3:50 pm We have a 2400 Sq. ft. ranch house in Arizona. I’m interested in purchasing a dehumidifier to be used during the summer months ( which is our monsoon season) so I don’t have to run the air conditioning. I would centrally locate it to cool the main part of the house ( not the bedrooms) which is approximately 1500 sq. ft.. How much would it cost approximately to run a month 24/7? Reply
Lowell says July 11, 2015 at 11:17 am I am looking for a dehumidifier to put in a small travel trailer to keep the humidity down to stop or slow mildew and mold growth. We are talking about a very small floor space, but with the A/C not running the temp can get high inside it. I have been running the ac to keep the humidity down, but i think a dehumidifier would do the same thing while it is unoccupied. Reply
Lynette says September 25, 2015 at 9:00 pm I’m looking for a dehumidifier for a basement that is approximately 1,250 square feet. The family room is a large room that is 15 x 25 with a large utility room across from it and a bath and two bedrooms down the hall. Which unit would be best for this type of setup? Reply
pat says January 30, 2016 at 4:44 pm the area where i live has been having a lot of humidity this year and i have COPD so it has caused a lot of distress, i thought maybe a small dehumidifier would help me, there are no signs of excess humidity other than to me personally. would you reccomend it? thank you Reply
@GordonNntt says March 8, 2016 at 3:41 am Which manufacturer would you recommend the most? I’m looking for best dehumidifier for my bathroom… thoughts? Reply
Thomas Enloe says August 14, 2016 at 4:04 pm My Zenith dehumidifier runs, but does NOT collect any water. What is the most likely problem? Reply
Wayne says February 22, 2017 at 7:56 pm The box store units are usually around $250 but don’t seem to last very long. The next choice of units start around $700. What is the difference and do the more expensive units last longer? Reply
John Fraser says June 24, 2017 at 10:47 am My dehumidifier will not shut off when it is full. My dehumidifier runs constantly and does not draw water. Reply
Carlton Richardson says June 28, 2018 at 10:10 am From what you described is going to cost you more to replace that switch and to get the system recharge, only to hold the friggin doesn’t leak out again. Here is a good deal I’ve gotten on amazon.com for $192.81 it’s call portable dehumidifier by Homeslabs 9 gallons 70 pint Energy star dehumidifier. It handles 4000 ft. also removes odors & allergen without costly filters. There are plenty of reviews of how well this machine removes water from the air. The unit also has a fitting for a water hose in the rear in case you have a nearby drain. I set it’s timer for only 12 hours a day. It usually fills the bucket in about 12 hours anyway. I have had six different models this one is the quietest. Also you can extend the warranty and additional three years were $6.17 at Amazon.com Good Luck Reply
Rachael says July 30, 2017 at 11:02 pm I recently moved to a house. I am a renter and its my first house. There was a dehumidifier here for the basement when i moved in. It has always been connected to a drain hose into the basement floor drain hole. At First even with the hose the bucket would fill and id empty it by hand into the sink. The door had major cracks and a lot of water was getting in. They fixed the door and less water is entering. The bucket wasnt filling and i still had water spots and that mildew smell. So i assumed it got old and stopped working. I just bought a haier 45 pint dehumidifier. If im useing a drain house how do i know that its working? And the drain had recently backed up for the second time. I am wondering if it somehow messed the old unit up. So my question is should i just empty it by hand so i know its working? And i honestly dont know what humidity to set it at to be working effectivly. I figured i would see how it went without the hose for a couple days. But seeing as these machines are not cheap if you have old plumbing am i better off not useing the drain hose option??? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I dont even know the size of the basement but budget wise i couldnt afford any bigger so if i have to empty a couple times i dont mind i just want to ensure its working and im useing it properly to keep mold and dust mites away Reply
Barbara says August 31, 2017 at 8:01 pm I have a hisense dehumidifier it is energy efficient I have a question I know it’s a bigger type humidifier I’m living upstairs and an old apartment house I was wondering if i pur rhe ceiling fan on and put dehumidifier right by my door and the hall will it work the hall and my bedroom and the kitchen? Reply
Judy says July 22, 2018 at 5:40 am I bought a 50 pint GE dehumidifier. I set it at 35 but it always changes to 60. It’s been running constantly for 2 days. Little water coming from drain hose. Why does it switch to 60 after being set at 35? Reply
Vicky Ireland says July 24, 2018 at 1:48 pm We have a GE humidifier that has been running nonstop since December 2017. It holds 30 pints & the first month we were having to empty it 3 times a day (90 pints). At this time, it has remained twice a day 60 pints. We live in Georgia, not the rain forest. Now the flooring in our mobile home is warping like waves. Any suggestions on how this much moisture much moisture can be in a home. Reply
Woody says September 13, 2020 at 11:44 am Our dehumidifier ran for years with a drain hose on it and so the bucket never filled up and we didn’t have to watch it. It now fills the bucket all of the time even after I had cleaned the drain hose. What might the problem be with the unit? Reply
