How to choose the right dehumidifier for your home
If you live in a moist climate, humidityHumidity is the amount of moisture or water vapor present in... More can make the air inside your home feel hot and uncomfortable. Excessive moisture can even damage your home and belongings. Using a dehumidifierA dehumidifier is a device that removes excess moisture from... More can prevent water damage and mold growth in your walls and ceilings. See how to choose the right dehumidifierA dehumidifier is a device that removes excess moisture from... More based on type and cost.
Benefits of a Dehumidifier
A dehumidifierA dehumidifier is a device that removes excess moisture from... More uses a fan to blow moist air over a refrigerated coil. As the air cools, the moisture condenses and collects in a drainage system. The dry air is blown back out into the room.

Choosing the right dehumidifierA dehumidifier is a device that removes excess moisture from... More depends on your needs
Keeping the air inside your home relatively dry can prevent water damage in your walls and ceilings. It can also slow or prevent moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More growth. Regulating humidityHumidity is the amount of moisture or water vapor present in... More levels will also make your home more comfortable, especially in the hot summer months.
Dehumidifier Capacity
Choosing the correct size of dehumidifierA dehumidifier is a device that removes excess moisture from... More depends on your needs. If your home is generally dry, but you have noticed moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More or musty smells in your basement or bathrooms, a small capacity dehumidifierA dehumidifier is a device that removes excess moisture from... More may be all you need. If your entire home is damp and uncomfortable all summer, you’ll be glad you invested in a larger-capacity whole-house dehumidifierA dehumidifier is a device that removes excess moisture from... More.
Dehumidifiers are rated by the amount of water they can remove from the air every 24 hours. A small capacity dehumidifierA dehumidifier is a device that removes excess moisture from... More, recommended for small areas with moderate humidityHumidity is the amount of moisture or water vapor present in... More, may be rated to 10-20 pints. A high-capacity dehumidifierA dehumidifier is a device that removes excess moisture from... More, rated to 40-45 pints, is appropriate for larger areas and rooms with standing water.
You should also consider the air flow volume of any dehumidifierA dehumidifier is a device that removes excess moisture from... More. This rating will tell you how much air the unit can process per hour. Air flow capacity is measured in Air Changes per Hour, or ACH. The higher the ACH, the more effective the dehumidifierA dehumidifier is a device that removes excess moisture from... More will be. A room with standing water requires a dehumidifierA dehumidifier is a device that removes excess moisture from... More with an ACH of 6, while a damp basement may require one with a rating of only 3.
Portable or Whole-House Dehumidifier?
Once you have decided how powerful a dehumidifierA dehumidifier is a device that removes excess moisture from... More you need, you’ll need to decide whether to purchase a portable unit or a whole-house dehumidifierA dehumidifier is a device that removes excess moisture from... More. A portable unit is easy to install, but may not have the capacity you need to dehumidify your entire house. Whole-house units require professional installation, as many models operate within your home’s existing HVAC system.
Portable units generally require you to empty the accumulated water periodically. Some units come with a pump and hose system that allows you to drain the water into a sink or basement drain. Whole-house dehumidifiers drain moisture directly into sewageSewage is wastewater containing biological and chemical cont... More system via your home’s existing plumbing.
How Much Does a Dehumidifier Cost?
A portable dehumidifierA dehumidifier is a device that removes excess moisture from... More will cost less than a whole-house unit. If you live in an apartment or rental house, a portable unit may be your only option.
A portable dehumidifierA dehumidifier is a device that removes excess moisture from... More costs between $200 – $300. A whole-house dehumidifierA dehumidifier is a device that removes excess moisture from... More costs between $1100 – $2000, plus labor. However, a whole-house unit may operate more efficiently than a portable unit, making it less expensive to operate in the long run.








