You’re looking for dehumidifiers and assessing the offers available on the market.
But did you know that the price isn’t the first thing you need to look for?
Well, to achieve the best results for your home, you should look for a device that has the power to cleanse your home’s air properly.
As such, you will need to determine how big a dehumidifier you need. This will ensure you make the best choice for your space’s requirements.
But, of course, many homeowners find this task rather challenging.
There are plenty of indicators you need to consider before buying a dehumidifier.
Some of those might include the size of your room and the device’s settings.
Anyhow, if you’re planning to install a dehumidifier in your home, we are here to help.
In this article, you will discover everything you need to know about dehumidifiers and how to choose the best one for your house.
Let’s see what you should look for in dehumidifiers and which size suits your home’s needs.
What Types of Dehumidifiers Are Available on The Market?
So, the first thing you need to do is research manufacturers and the products they distribute.
There are plenty of classifications for dehumidifiers based on specifications like type, capacity, or mounting options.
If you were to purchase a dehumidifier based on the tank capacity, you would discover that you can choose between the following:
#1 Small capacity devices
This type of dehumidifier is meant to suit the needs of a minor, enclosed space.
Such a device can mostly remove a decent amount of moisture per day, between 30 to 25 pints.
#2 Medium capacity devices
Medium dehumidifiers are recommended for average-sized rooms.
Mostly, this device can remove around 50 pints of moisture daily.
It is more efficient than the smaller ones, and it can help you manage damp air.
#3 Large capacity devices
If you are looking for a device that can cover a vast area, such as the living room, a large dehumidifier is the best choice for you.
Usually, such a device can remove up to 60 pints of moisture daily.
Besides, larger devices come with additional features and a significantly broader lifespan.
On the other hand, if you were to purchase a dehumidifier based on its method of collecting the moisture, you will discover that you can choose between three main types of dehumidifiers.
#4 Refrigerant dehumidifiers
Similar to your fridge, a refrigerant dehumidifier uses a similar process. Overall, it cools a metal plate on which moisture from the air condenses.
At the same time, a fan draws the room air through the device and on the cool plate.
As a result, the moisture condenses and drips into the device’s water tank.
The process is repeated until the humidity in your home is balanced and achieves an average level, the moment in which the dehumidifier automatically switches off.
It will remain on standby up until the moisture levels increase again.
This type of dehumidifier is recommended in essential room temperatures environment, as its ability to balance moisture decreases significantly in colder environments.
A cool room can lead to the appearance of the freezing process, which will make your device malfunction.
#5 Desiccant dehumidifiers
This type of dehumidifier is meant to absorb water from the air via an absorbent material.
This material is similar to the silica gel you will find included with various products.
As such, the core principle behind this dehumidifier is that a wheel of the desiccant tunes through the incoming air stream and manages to remove moisture.
The condensed water is drawn into a collection tank. But at the same time, it can be automatically drained out with the help of a tub or plug hole.
A desiccant dehumidifier is excellent for use at lower temperatures, like in your garage or basement.
Yet there is a significant disadvantage that comes from using this device: it requires a lot of power consumption per hour.
#6 Whole-house dehumidifies
Many homeowners opt for a whole-house dehumidifier, as it is one of the most efficient solutions to deal with mold, condensation, or other similar issues.
Even though this dehumidifier has a significant initial expense, it represents a long-term investment.
And the best part about it is that it can be installed in your loft and discreetly cleanse the air in your home via a grill positioned in the hallway.
It is one of the quietest devices that can cover up to 5000 sqft.
Besides this, you can always opt for portable dehumidifiers. These are usually recommended for small rooms or mobile homes.
Such devices are easy to use and can work well in damp environments.
Besides, even though these are portable devices, there are plenty of manufacturers who sell larger portable dehumidifiers.
These can have the power to dehumidify an entire home based on their capacity and characteristics.
Overall, a portable dehumidifier is the fastest solution for managing moisture, but you should know that, in some cases, it might not meet your expectations.
Since these devices were created with portability in mind, they might lack the ability to run continuously at a higher rate.
Also Read: Where to Place Dehumidifier – On First or Second Floor?
What Size to Consider When Purchasing A Dehumidifier?
So, now that you know there are numerous dehumidifiers on the market classified based on several characteristics, you need to discover how to purchase one based on the size.
The main factors you need to take into account in how big your dehumidifier should be are:
#1 Water tank capacity
So, it is essential to consider the dehumidifier’s ability to draw moisture from the air.
Most devices will automatically stop when the water tank capacity is reached.
This means that the larger the room, the bigger the tank should be.
Look for details on the device that underline its capacity to withdraw water per day.
#2 Airflow capacity
The rate by which a device can move per minute is essential for its effectiveness.
Some devices might use this in their classification of this rating, but you should be careful about it.
The moisture absorption rate is linked to the quantity of air a dehumidifier manages to cycle per minute.
As such, your room’s dimensions will determine how often a device can deal with the air in the space.
Choosing the right size for a mobile home
Regarding a mobile home, you can opt for the most petite dehumidifier available on the market.
Such environments are small, meaning you can use a portable and reliable device with ease.
A small or medium-sized dehumidifier can help you cleanse the air of a mobile home.
Of course, based on the dimensions of your mobile home, you can make the best decision concerning this device.
Always remember that if a dehumidifier is too small, it won’t help you keep moisture at bay.
Choosing the right size for a 2-bedroom home
Choosing a dehumidifier for a 2-bedroom home might turn out to be challenging.
Anyhow, as you might expect, you need to focus on your home’s dimensions and on the overall design.
Curves or boundaries can have an impact on how a dehumidifier works.
Also, experts say that a stationary dehumidifier might be a cost-effective solution for a 2-bedroom home.
A larger device can too help you manage moisture, but it might have issues concerning how fast it can remove moisture from the environment.
Still, if you are looking for a long-term investment, you can install a whole-house dehumidifier so that it reaches all rooms.
Choosing the right size for a 3-bedroom home
In a 3-bedroom home, you will most likely need a larger device.
Of course, you can consider a mobile unit in which you can move around from room to room.
But this might add up to your energy bills, while it can significantly decrease its lifespan.
In a 3-bedroom home, you can opt for using several dehumidifiers in each room.
In this way, you can choose a device that suits a particular room’s needs.
But at the same time, you can save a lot of time and money by considering adding a whole-house dehumidifier along with your HVAC system.
This is one of the most reliable and efficient approaches that can turn out to be useful for a more extended period.
Mainly, we believe this is a smart investment, as you will avoid wear and tear issues, as is the case with moving a dehumidifier from room to room.
Also, a whole system can draw moisture from all your rooms simultaneously.
This will significantly boost the air quality in your home, making it more pleasant.
Is It Efficient to Use One Dehumidifier for The Entire House?
Many homeowners ask this question. And we can say from our experience that it is only reasonable to do so.
As mentioned above, there are plenty of dehumidifier models on the market, each with its characteristics.
We believe that if you aim to use only one device per home, you should always consider purchasing a whole-house dehumidifier.
There is no need to use a smaller device, which might not be able to cover your home’s necessities.
Also, experts say that it is best to install a dehumidifier with your HVAC system so that it can manage moisture before reaching your interior.
The bottom line
If you already know a thing or two about dehumidifiers, you most likely tried some small devices.
Yet, if it is the first time using such a device, this article offered insights on how to purchase a dehumidifier.
Anyhow, there are plenty of frequently asked questions, especially when it comes to choosing the right size of a dehumidifier.
Selecting the correct device with the right features and characteristics can do wonders for your home.
As such, it is essential to keep in mind the tips we shared with you above.
With that said, so many dehumidifiers are available on the market, and it can be difficult to identify the best one.
You should, therefore, always consider the dimensions of the room you want to use the dehumidifier.
And, of course, you should opt for a reliable manufacturer and avoid no-name brands.
Experts say that frequent maintenance and adequately using the device can increase its lifespan and reduce costs.
And as you might expect, installing the right size dehumidifier is more than essential for keeping your home’s air moisture-free.
Meen Smith is a nurse by profession who loves writing online, spending time with her family and caring for the elderly. She has already worked as an associate editor on various moms, babies, home appliances, kitchen, and healthy living blogs. In her spare time, she also enjoys drawing, reading/writing kindle eBooks and improving her skills a bit.