What Size Dehumidifier For Basement? Find Out Now!
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Dehumidifiers reduce water damage, mold, and mildew by removing excess moisture from interior environments.
As dehumidifiers exist in a wide range of sizes, you may ask, “ what size of dehumidifier for the basement?”
If you do not pick the proper size of humidifier, it will not give the desired performance. So, you must know how to choose the right one.
This article will help you by giving the answer as well as letting you know how to choose the appropriate size dehumidifier.
What size of dehumidifier do I need for a basement?
It depends on the size and humidity of your basement. For example, you should choose a small one that can hold 25 pints of water for a 500-square-foot area.
For every 500 square feet more, add 25 pints. So, to figure out how big a humidifier you need for a 1,000-square-foot basement, you’d add 50-pint pints.
For a very damp basement or other space, the size of the dehumidifier might need to be increased to remove the extra moisture from the air.
Choose a dehumidifier that can hold 35 pints of water for a 500-square-foot room and an extra 25 pints for every 500 square feet after that.
| 300 sq ft | 500 sq ft | 800 sq ft | 1200 sq ft | Condition of your basement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 pints | 25-30 pint | 35-40 pint | 50 pints | Slightly damp |
| 20 pints | 25-30 pint | 35-40 pint | 50 pints | Moderately damp |
| 25 pints | 35 pints | 45 pints | 55pint | Very damp |
| 25-30 pint | 35-40 pint | 45-50 pint | 60 pints | Wet |
How to Choose the right size of dehumidifier for your basement?
Measure the size of your basement
The first step is to decide how much space you want the dehumidifier to cover.
To do this, you’ll need to measure the room where you’ll put the device and figure out its square footage.
If you plan to use it in a space where two rooms connect, like a living room and dining room with an open arch, treat the two rooms as one, since air will flow from one to the other.
Check the room’s level of moisture
There are many ways to find out how humid a room is. Most people use a portable moisture meter to check the level of humidity in a room, which should be between 30 and 50 percent.
You can also use your own senses to find out if there is a musty, sickening mold smell.
Look for water droplets on the ceiling or walls. The humidity level of a room will be higher if you see more condensation.
Depending on how much moisture is in a room, you might need a bigger dehumidifier to cover a larger space.
For example, a 50-pint dehumidifier can cover a 700-square-foot room with a humidity level of 50–60%, but you’ll need at least a 60-pint dehumidifier to cover a very damp room with a humidity level of 70–80%.
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Measure What Dehumidifier Size Do You Need?
It depends a lot on the size and atmosphere of your room. Every dehumidifier has an official recommendation for how many pints it can hold.
The test is based on how many pints of water the dehumidifier can pull out of the air in 24 hours.
The device can pull in more air and water as the number of pints goes up.
For example, a 50-pint humidifier can get rid of 50 pints of water in a day. In general, there are three types of dehumidifiers:
30 pint dehumidifier
The best size for a 30-pint dehumidifier is between 500 and 1,500 square feet.
If the room is very wet, the recommended size will be between 500 and 1,000 square feet. The size will go down to 500 square feet for a wet room.
60/65-Pint Dehumidifier
The best size for rooms that are between 2,000 and 2,500 square feet is a 60 pint unit.
If the room is very wet, the recommended size will be between 1,500 and 2,000 square feet.
If the room gets wet, it will be between 1,000 and 1,500 square feet. The size will go down to 1,000 square feet for a very wet and damp room.
65/70-Pint Dehumidifier
Up to 2,500 square feet is the recommended size. If the room is wet, it will be between 2,000 and 2,500 square feet.
The size will be between 1,500 and 2,500 square feet smaller for a very wet and damp room.
Consider other necessary factors
Other important things to think about when buying a dehumidifier are the size of the room and how damp it is.
If the air around you is very humid, like in the summer, add 5–10 pints to the amount needed.
The humidity levels inside of a home can also be affected by factors such as the size of the doors and windows as well as the quantity of those openings.
Because of the ease with which heat can be transferred into a home via windows and doors, the humidity will be higher in a home with a greater number of windows and doors.
In a similar vein, extremely large windows are ineffective insulators, which results in increased levels of humidity.
When you use the washing machine or take a shower, the humidity level in your home can be affected.
Because of this, it is important to make an investment in a dehumidifier that is able to handle the increased amount of moisture that is present in the air.
When choosing a dehumidifier for your home or room, it is important to take into account the overall square footage of the space.
If there are more than 3 people living in the house or a washer and dryer are nearby, add 10 more pints.
When figuring out how big a dehumidifier should be, you should also think about its continuous pump.
With that, you don’t have to empty the bucket because you can pump the water straight into a floor drain.
Energy Star-rated appliances should also be a higher priority since they will save you a lot of money on your electric bill over time.
Lastly, choose models that have a low fan speed setting so you can work in the bedroom with much less noise.
FAQs about the size of dehumidifier for basement
How Are Dehumidifiers Sized?
The overall moisture removal capacity of a dehumidifier determines its size. The capacity is measured in pints of water extracted each day (24-hour period).
The capacity of a dehumidifier refers to how much space it can cover in square feet.
As a result, if you know the square footage of the area to be dehumidified, you can estimate the capacity required.
For example, a “30-pint dehumidifier” is one that is rated to remove 30 pints of moisture total per day under testing settings.
Can I use a dehumidifier which is too big?
Though an enormous dehumidifier can cause the air in the basement to dry up quickly, it should turn off when the humidity levels reach the intended setting because most dehumidifiers include a built-in humidistat that measures the ambient humidity.
However, if it does not have this automatic measuring and control, a dehumidifier may be too big for the room it is being used in.
It is possible for it to rapidly dry out the air to the point where it is unhealthy to breathe, in which case you will need a humidifier to assist reverse the effects.
Final Thoughts
We hope now you know the answer of, “ what size of dehumidifier do I need for a basement?” You have to select your dehumidifier based on the size and humidity of the basement.
Follow the chart we have given above to puck the proper dehumidifier. Do not take too small dehumidifiers because it will fail to control the humidity.
Also, be cautious about choosing a too big humidifier because there is a risk of excessive dryness in your basement.
