Sizing a Dehumidifier: Key for Comfort

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There are a lot of reasons you might want to use a dehumidifier in your home. If your indoor air is too humid, it can cause a multitude of problems, including damage to your possessions and home as well as promoting mold and mite growth. By running a dehumidifier, you can take control of these issues — but choosing the right one is key for your home comfort. You can choose a whole house dehumidifier, which works with your HVAC system. You may also want to dehumidify room by room, in which case you will want to choose the right size portable dehumidifier.

Optimally, you want a relative humidity in your home of no more than 40 to 50 percent. If your floors creak, your windows develop condensation, or your allergies have gotten worse, this can be a sign that your humidity is too high.

A whole house dehumidifier needs to be the proper size for the home. Factors to consider are number of rooms, size of the home (square feet) and the unit’s airflow. Consult your HVAC pro for advice.

When sizing a portable dehumidifier you don’t want a model that is too large or too small. A small model is likely to run continuously, but never lower the humidity to comfortable levels. A model that is too large is generally preferable, but is usually more expensive and unnecessary.

Portable dehumidifier size is shown in pints. This is the amount of moisture it can remove from the air in a period. Consider the location’s condition prior to the dehumidifier. The more humidity it has naturally, the larger model you will need to maintain the area. A small (500 square foot) room that is moderately damp may only need a 10 pint humidifier, while the same room that is naturally extremely wet could need a 16 pint humidifier. As the room gets larger, the necessarily capacity for the dehumidifier does as well.

If you’re concerned about humidity in your home, contact us at Apollo Home Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing. We’ve been serving the Greater Cincinnati area since 1910.

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