Dehumidifiers
To pick a dehumidifier, match its pints-per-day rating to the space and how damp it is, then decide how you will drain it: bucket, gravity hose or built-in pump. The goal is indoor humidity below 60%, ideally 30% to 50%, which EPA recommends for limiting mold.
How to choose
- Capacity: since 2019 the DOE rates dehumidifiers at 65°F, so a modern "50-pint" unit is roughly equal to an older "70-pint" one. Do not compare old and new ratings directly.
- Drainage: buckets fill in hours in a wet basement. A hose to a floor drain or a built-in pump allows continuous running.
- Temperature: basements and crawl spaces below about 65°F need auto-defrost or a low-temperature model.
- Energy: ENERGY STAR models remove more water per kWh.
- Noise: most run around 45 to 55 dB, so check this for living spaces.
Shop Portable Dehumidifiers, Basement Dehumidifiers, Whole House Dehumidifiers for crawl spaces, and Small Dehumidifiers for bathrooms and RVs.
FAQs
What size dehumidifier do I need?
Use the newer DOE pint rating. A 22- to 35-pint unit suits a moderately damp bedroom or small basement up to about 1,000 sq ft, while a 50-pint unit suits large or very damp basements and wet spaces. Wetter conditions call for more capacity than the same floor area that is only slightly damp.
Where is the best place to put a dehumidifier?
Put it in the dampest area, usually the basement, at least 6 to 12 inches from walls so air can circulate, with doors and windows closed. Near a floor drain or sink makes continuous drainage easy. Keep it away from dust sources, which clog the filter and coils.
What humidity should I set my dehumidifier to?
Most people set 45% to 50%. EPA recommends keeping indoor humidity below 60% and ideally between 30% and 50%. Setting it much lower wastes energy and is hard to reach in a leaky basement. Use a separate hygrometer to confirm the unit's built-in reading.
Why did dehumidifier pint ratings change?
In 2019 the Department of Energy changed the test conditions from 80°F to 65°F at 60% humidity, which better reflects basements. Cooler air holds less moisture, so the same machine now shows a lower pint figure. A unit once sold as 70 pints is typically labeled about 50 pints today.