Dehumidifier Size Guide

Sizing

• Consider two factors in sizing to purchase the right dehumidifier for your situation -- room size and moisture level. The floor area is the easiest part to determine. Decide on the level of dampness in the service area. If unsure, use a hygrometer to measure the moisture level in the air. As a general rule, go with a larger size dehumidifier if your calculations fall in between sizes. The larger the unit, the more efficient the moisture removal.

Capacity Considerations

• Energy Star, sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, uses standards for moisture level to determine the dehumidifier size. Moderately damp spaces have a musty odor when the weather is humid. Very damp spaces always smell musty, with damp areas on the floor and walls. Wet spaces have water present on the floor or floor and wall sweating. Extremely wet areas may be present in laundry rooms or areas of a basement used for drying laundry, with wet floors.

Rooms

• For a small room, choose a compact dehumidifier, which will remove between 25 and 35 pints of water per day from the air. You must manually remove the water from the bucket. For larger single rooms with moderate humidity, a medium size dehumidifier removes 40 to 50 pints per day. In wet conditions for larger rooms, choose a large size dehumidifier, removing between 65 and 75 pints per day. If you have multiple non-contiguous rooms in regular need of moisture removal, purchase additional dehumidifiers, or consider investing a whole-house model.

Whole House Dehumidifiers

• If most of your home needs moisture removal, consider the whole house dehumidifier. Most whole-house units can treat approximately 3,000 square feet. The units may connect to your central heating or air-conditioning system and require professional installation. Certain models are self-contained, and you can install these yourself. Whole-house dehumidifiers do not have buckets, but empty water via a drain outside the dwelling.