How to Choose the Best Dehumidifier for Your Home

Summer is upon us! Not only does that mean temperatures will be high, but humidity levels will, as well. When you go outside, you know to expect that muggy feeling, but it’s unbearable if you feel it in your own house. Yuck! Luckily, if you choose the best dehumidifier possible for your home, you’ll have nothing to worry about! Here are a few things to consider when making your decision.

Understanding Humidity Levels

Before we get into shopping for a home dehumidifier, it’s important to understand what humidity actually is (aside from just “sticky”). It’s the amount of moisture that’s present in the air. High humidity levels can lead to dampness, mold, and musty odors… not to mention effects on comfort and even health in some cases. On the flip side, it’s possible to not have enough humidity, but that’s generally a problem for the winter. If you want to prevent mold, dust mites, allergens, and other issues, try to maintain a humidity level of 30–50% in your home.

Types of Dehumidifiers

Portable Dehumidifiers

As the name implies, these are compact and easy to move around! They won’t do much in a big open space, but they’ll get the job done in a small to medium sized area like a bedroom.

Whole-House Dehumidifiers

These are the kind you’ll find in most HVAC systems, providing consistent humidity control throughout your entire home. They’re a more permanent solution than portable dehumidifiers, and they’re great for larger houses.

Desiccant Dehumidifiers

These absorb moisture from the air using a desiccant material, and are effective in lower temperatures. Many people prefer them due to their low noise levels. They’re best suited for garages and basements.

Thermo-Electric Dehumidifiers

Also known as a Peltier home dehumidifiers, this uses a thermoelectric cooling system that condenses moisture. Compact and lightweight, it’s quite suitable for small spaces, but it isn’t the most powerful option available.

Key Features to Consider

It’s important to identify which features are important to your comfort, as not every model will offer everything you’re looking for. So keep in mind…

Capacity

A dehumidifier’s capacity is measured in pints per day (PPD). This is an indicator of how much moisture it can remove from the air in a 24-hour period. Consider the size of the room or rooms you plan to use the dehumidifier in. While a small room may need nothing more than a 30 PPD unit, a larger basement may need a 70 PPD unit.

Energy Efficiency

You don’t want one of these devices to make your energy bill skyrocket. For long-term cost savings, keep an eye on the energy star ratings of each model you’re considering.

Noise Level

It’s hard to truly enjoy your home if your dehumidifier sounds like a truck engine, especially in a small room. Luckily, you can check the decibel rating of prospective models.

Drainage Options

Dehumidifiers often offer manual or continuous drainage options. If you opt for manual, you’ll have to regularly empty the water tank, while a continuous drainage setup will use a hose to deposit the water directly into a sink or drain. Talk about convenience!

Assessing Your Home’s needs

We’ve touched on a few of these needs before, but let’s take a few moments to consider the biggest needs of your home when you’re deciding on a dehumidifier.

Room Size

As we said before, the size of a room is a big determining factor of the PPD you should be looking for. Larger room? Go for the more powerful unit!

Climate

If you live in a region that gets really humid, you’ll want to consider a more powerful unit that can pull all that moisture out of the air at an acceptable rate. If you’re in our service area, humidity levels are generally moderate this time of year. Plan your purchase accordingly.

Specific Problem Areas

We’ve had countless customers who ask for our help with “that one room” in their house that just doesn’t have the air quality of other rooms. If you have a room like this, consider having a dedicated dehumidifier for it that will help it keep up!

Budget Considerations

Do you have the means to pay for the best dehumidifier for your home? As with any utility, budget is often a big factor in the purchases and upgrades you can make. Dehumidifiers run the gamut of price ranges, setting you back anywhere from $50 to over $1,000. The cheaper ones are generally the portable models we’ve discussed previously, while a whole-house system will be the one to have a higher price point. It’s important to balance your budget with the features you need. For the expensive models, consider your options for financing. Purchasing the heavy hitters will likely pay off in the long run.

Maintenance and Longevity

Even the best dehumidifier needs proper maintenance to run at optimal performance, so let’s touch on a few tips for that, shall we?

• Cleaning or Replacing Filters: Clean your filters regularly, or replace them if their time has come
• Ensuring proper Drainage: Keep an eye on the drainage system to make sure you’re not letting a clog go unnoticed.
• Regular Inspections: Regular inspections will help you address the two points above as well as any other possible concerns!

Conclusion

Choosing the best dehumidifier for your home involves a bit of research, but making the right choice is well worth the effort. By considering your needs, budget, climate, and more, you’ll be able to make an informed decision and enjoy comfortable indoor air! We hope this article has given you enough insight to make that decision, but if you have more questions, we’re always willing to help out! Reach out to us at Holtzople for expert advice and service, and stay cool this summer!