Basement Dehumidifier

Sizing a Dehumidifier

Water removal capacity refers to the amount of water that a dehumidifier can extract from the air each day under specified humidity and temperature conditions. The most common ratings are taken at saturation (100% relative humidity) or at AHAM (60% relative humidity at 80°F). Smaller dehumidifiers are usually rated at saturation while heavy-residential and commercial-grade units are rated under AHAM conditions.

When choosing a basement dehumidifier, you will want to take into account the square-footage of your basement and the degree of your moisture problem. If you are dealing with high humidity in a large basement – 1,000 sq. ft. or more – you will likely need a unit that can remove at least 60 pints of moisture a day. If you have a small- to mid-sized basement with slightly elevated humidity, you can choose a smaller-capacity unit to keep the moisture problem under control.

Below are some rough guidelines to follow when selecting a dehumidifier for various basement sizes:

• Less than 350 sq. ft. area – 25-30 pints at saturation
• Less than 700 sq. ft. area – 40 pints at saturation
• Less than 900 sq. ft. area – 50 pints at saturation
• Less than 1,200 sq. ft. area – 65 pints at saturation
• Less than 2,500 sq. ft. area – 100 pints at AHAM
• Less than 3,000 sq. ft. area – 135 pints at AHAM

Because environments vary, however, we recommend that you call our product experts at (800) 934-9194 for a free detailed consultation on your environment before purchasing a unit.

Moisture Removal

When shopping for a basement dehumidifier, you should also consider how you will remove the water. The easiest way of doing this is to remove the water manually by emptying the water bucket each time it gets full. This is a fairly hassle-free routine if you spend lots of time in your basement. However, if you don't spend much time in your basement or do not want to have to remember to empty a water bucket, you may opt for a unit equipped with a continuous gravity-drain system or a condensate pump system. All dehumidifiers feature continuous drain ports for automatic gravity-guided drainage, but some units also feature exterior or built-in condensate pumps. These systems pump water from the unit automatically and route it to a drain or to the outdoors. That way, you won't have to remember to empty the water container.