Dehumidifier Buying Guide: Important Considerations

If you have ever had problems with mold and mildew growth inside your home, you are aware of the problems high humidity levels can cause. To prevent these costly problems, perhaps you should consider buying and using a dehumidifier. What should you look for in a quality humidifier that will provide comfort in your home? Consider the following dehumidifier buying considerations.

Important Dehumidifier Buying Considerations

1. What capacity do you need?

The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) has a very helpful chart that shows how many pints capacity your dehumidifier should have given your home humidity conditions. This chart can be found on the U.S. Government Energy Star website. For example, if your home humidity level is extremely wet due to conditions such as inside laundry drying and the area you need to dehumidify is 1000 square feet or less, then you would need a dehumidifier with a capacity of at least 23 pints. Most dehumidifiers meet this capacity.

2. Do you need a low-temperature dehumidifier?

If your dehumidifier will be working in conditions where temperatures are lower than 65 degrees Fahrenheit, then it is best to purchase a dehumidifier that operates in 42 to 44 degree Fahrenheit conditions. A dehumidifier that has an auto-defrost feature can prevent ice formation in cold conditions. If you plan to use your dehumidifier in a basement or garage, you will most likely need a low-temperature dehumidifier.

3. Should the dehumidifier have reusable, washable air filters?

An air filter on your dehumidifier protects the coils from dust. If the air filter is reusable and washable, you will save time and money because there will be no need to buy replacement filters.

4. Should the dehumidifier be Energy star rated?

The energy efficiency of dehumidifiers is measured in liters of water removed per kilowatt hour. A higher number means the dehumidifier is more efficient. A list of dehumidifiers that are energy star rated can be found at energystar.gov. Energy Star rated products can save money on your energy bill as well as reduce the energy drain on the environment.

5. What about the dehumidifier's noise level?

If you plan to use your dehumidifier inside the living area of your home, you will want to be sure to find a dehumidifier that is reasonably quiet. Some dehumidifiers can be quite loud, but this may be less of a consideration if the dehumidifier will be tucked away in a largely unoccupied garage or basement. Look for noise issues in consumer comments on sites such as consumersearch.com and epinions.com.