Excess humidity can damage a home by promoting growth of mold and mildew. A dehumidifier removes excess humidity from the air to make household environments more comfortable and even help individuals suffering from allergy and asthma.
Dehumidifiers range in price but a solid unit for the average home can usually be had for under $300. If you’re not looking for a large machine there are compact dehumidifiers available ranging from a small unit for occasional use in a bathroom to a desiccant that can fit in a drawer or home safe.
To follow are some of the primary considerations to keep in mind when looking for a dehumidifier.
Pint Capacity
Dehumidifiers are rated by their capacity to remove a pint of moisture every 24 hours. The average dehumidifier will be able to remove 30 to 50 pints of moisture from the air per day, with those above and below being for more specialized uses.
For a space measuring less than 2,000 square feet with minimal dampness, a smaller dehumidifier with a 25 pint capacity is likely to be enough. For areas over 3,500 square feet with very wet conditions, it’s best to choose a unit with a capacity of 70 pints or more.
Noise Level
If you’re planning on using a dehumidifier in a living area or bedroom, noise levels are likely to be a concern. Dehumidifiers aren’t the quietest of appliances, but some operate at a much louder volume than others. The larger the capacity of the dehumidifier, the louder it’s more likely to be.
Operating Temperature
Related to the location of where the dehumidifier will be installed is the operating temperature. Due to how they operate, many dehumidifiers will not work properly in cold environments such as a basement. For these conditions there are heavy-duty models designed to operate in colder temperatures.
Moisture Collection
Many basic dehumidifiers come with a collection bucket which must be manually emptied but some feature an overflow alarm or automatic shut-off. For continuous operation, some dehumidifiers use gravity to passively drain the tank or they rely on a built-in pump to drain water upward.
Energy Consumption
Since dehumidifiers are often left operating for long periods of time, what might seem like light energy consumption can add up over time. Energy Star rates dehumidifiers by the energy used comparable to the amount of water removed every hour.
Features
Internal Pump
Helps remove water for continuous operation.
If you are looking for a dehumidifer for a lower ground level, read our review of the best dehumidifiers for basements.
Filter Indicator
Informs you when the air filter needs to be cleaned. This feature is especially helpful if the filter is easy to access and clean.
Auto Humidistat
Allows hands-off operation by sensing airborne moisture levels and turning the unit on and off as needed to maintain desired humidity levels.
Auto Restart
Allow the dehumidifier to resume the previous settings after a power outage or other service interruption.
Timer
A useful feature to have if your dehumidifier only needs to be operating at certain times.
Casters
Wheels which make moving the unit from one space to another easier, since the average dehumidifier can often be quite bulky and heavy.