Buzz
Dehumidifiers are incredibly useful for removing excess moisture from your home, which helps prevent water damage and mold growth. Given the variety of sizes and power capacities available, you might be unsure about the best size to choose for your living space. To select the ideal dehumidifier, you'll need to assess the size and humidity levels of the space you need to treat. Additionally, you can save energy and maximize the efficiency of your dehumidifier by opting for a model with higher power than the recommended capacity for your space.
Steps
Determine the Type of Dehumidifier You Need
Measure the Size of the Room or House When selecting a dehumidifier, you need to consider the size of the space you want to dehumidify. If you don't know the room's dimensions, you can use a tape measure to find the length and width of the floor. Multiply these two measurements to calculate the area of the room in square meters.
- For example, if your room is 3.7m by 3m, the area would be 11m2.
Did you know? In most buildings, the ideal relative humidity for preventing bacteria and mold is between 30-50%. Most dehumidifiers come with built-in humidity controls, allowing you to set the machine to the optimal humidity level.
Buy a whole-house dehumidifier if the area you need to dehumidify exceeds 230m2. If you need to dehumidify multiple rooms throughout the house, a whole-house dehumidifier could be a good investment. You can opt for a dehumidifier that connects to the home's heating or central air conditioning system, or choose a stand-alone model. These whole-house dehumidifiers are designed to cover spaces as large as 280m2.
- Though this model is more expensive, over time, it can save you money and energy by helping your air conditioning system run more efficiently.
Choose a dehumidifier with a rotor wheel for cooler environments. There are two main types of dehumidifiers: rotor wheel dehumidifiers and condensation dehumidifiers. While rotor dehumidifiers usually have lower power output than condensation models, they work much better in low-temperature settings. Generally, a rotor dehumidifier is ideal if the temperature in your room drops below 18°C.
- Rotor dehumidifiers also have the advantage of operating more quietly than condensation models.
Opt for a condensation dehumidifier in hot, humid environments. In consistently hot and humid conditions, a condensation dehumidifier is likely the best option. These models typically have higher power capacities and perform better in high temperatures compared to rotor dehumidifiers.
- If you're using a condensation dehumidifier in a room with temperatures below 18°C, frost may form on the evaporator coils, reducing the machine's effectiveness.
Choose the right capacity for your dehumidifier
Look for signs of humidity to estimate the moisture level in your room. While the exact humidity in a room can be measured with a hygrometer, you often don't need to measure it precisely when choosing a dehumidifier. Instead, you can estimate the moisture level by observing noticeable signs, such as condensation on windows or damp streaks on the walls. For example:
- A space is moderately humid if the air feels sticky or damp, or has a musty smell on humid days.
- A space is very humid if there is a persistent musty smell and a damp feeling. You'll also notice damp streaks on the floor and walls.
- If the space is wet, you'll see water droplets on the floor and walls, or moisture seeping around the edges of the floor and walls. The room will always feel damp and you'll smell the moisture.
- A highly wet space will have noticeable water pooling on the floor.
Buy a dehumidifier with a capacity of 4.7 - 12.3 liters for a moderately humid space. The "size" of a dehumidifier is actually its capacity, referring to the amount of water it can extract from the air in 24 hours. For a moderately humid room, you won't need a high-capacity model. The required capacity depends on the size of the room. For example:
- A 46 m2 space needs a dehumidifier with a 4.7-liter capacity.
- A 93 m2 space requires a 6.6-liter model.
- A 140 m2 space needs an 8.5-liter dehumidifier.
- For a 190 m2 space, a 10-liter dehumidifier is recommended.
- If the space is 190 m2 or larger, go for a 12-liter dehumidifier.
Choose a dehumidifier with a capacity of 5.7 – 15.1 liters for a very humid environment. If the environment is very humid (with a musty smell and damp marks on the floor and walls), you should opt for a dehumidifier with slightly higher capacity. The capacity depends on both the room size and moisture level. For example, the dehumidifier should have a capacity of:
- 5.7 liters for a 46m2 space.
- 8 liters for a 93m2 space.
- 10 liters for a 140m2 space.
- 13 liters for a 190m2 space.
- 15 liters for a 230m2 space.
Buy a dehumidifier with a capacity of 6.6 – 16 liters for a wet environment. For wet environments (where water is seeping or "sweating" on the walls and floors), you'll need a more powerful dehumidifier. Choose the capacity based on the room size. For instance, the dehumidifier should have a capacity of:
- 6.6 liters for a 46m2 space.
- 9.5 liters for a 93m2 space.
- 12 liters for a 140m2 space.
- 15 liters for a 190m2 space.
- 18 liters for a 230m2 space.
Look for a dehumidifier with a capacity of 7.6 – 20.8 liters for a highly wet environment. If your space is so wet that water is pooling on the floor, you'll need a dehumidifier with a high capacity based on the room size. For example, you should opt for a dehumidifier with a capacity of:
- 7.6 liters for a 46m2 space.
- 11 liters for a 93m2 space.
- 14 liters for a 140m2 space.
- 18 liters for a 190m2 space.
- 21 liters for a 230m2 space.
Invest in a slightly higher capacity dehumidifier to save energy. While larger dehumidifiers may cost more upfront, choosing a higher-capacity model can save you both money and energy in the long run. A more powerful machine won’t need to work as hard to keep your room dry compared to one with just the recommended capacity for the room.
- For example, even if you're only dehumidifying a small bedroom of 13.4m2, it’s worth investing in a dehumidifier rated for a 46m2 space in a similar humidity environment.
- You can even consider purchasing a larger, portable dehumidifier with a capacity of up to 33 liters per day.
Tip: Beyond saving energy and reducing wear and tear, opting for a larger dehumidifier than necessary can also help minimize noise, as you can run it at a lower setting.
Tip
- Although a dehumidifier can help keep your room dry, it’s always best to prevent moisture buildup in the first place. You can maintain a drier space by using ventilation and exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom, opening windows and doors on dry, cool days, sealing gaps effectively, and heating your home during colder weather.
- Many central air conditioning systems come with built-in dehumidifiers. If you have air conditioning and your indoor space still feels damp, have a technician check the system to ensure it's functioning properly.
- Generally, you don’t need detailed metrics (like airflow rates or precise room volumes) to determine the right dehumidifier for your needs. Simply find a unit that suits the size (in square meters) and humidity level of the space you wish to dehumidify.
