The Department of Energy (DOE) efficiency standards for dehumidifiers have changed. But what do the changes mean in the “real world”? In short, not very much. We explain why the new standards exist, how pint capacities are influenced, and answer frequently asked questions below.
Not interested in all the details? Jump to our Real World FAQs.
Testing Standards Summary
Dehumidifiers are tested under new conditions that reduce their pint capacity rating. They're now tested in 65 degrees F instead of 80 degrees F. The dehumidifiers haven’t changed; the environment they're tested in changed.
As long as you know the room size you’re dehumidifying, it's easy to find the right dehumidifier for you.
Testing Background
All dehumidifiers must pass standard tests to be sold in America. The DOE tests performance by looking at power consumption and effectiveness under certain environments.
The DOE uses two main performance metrics:
- Pint Capacity: The amount of water removed per day at test conditions.
- Energy Efficiency: How many liters of water a dehumidifier can remove per kilowatt per hour of energy consumed.
What Changed?
Pint Capacity
Previous Standards
Changes made in 2012 required dehumidifiers to be tested at an ambient temperature of 80 degrees F and 60% humidity.
As a result, most dehumidifiers were built standard as 30-, 50-, and 70-pint models, referring to the amount of moisture they remove in 24 hours under those conditions.
New 2019 Dehumidifier Standards
Dehumidifiers are now tested at 65 degrees F and 60% humidity, which is 15 degrees lower than in the past.
Since there’s less water vapor to remove from cooler air, the number of pints each dehumidifier removes also dropped. The standard pint capacities under the new conditions are 20-, 30- and 50-pint dehumidifiers (as opposed to 30-, 50-, and 70-pint models when tested at 80 degrees F).
Energy Efficiency
Previous Standards
In 2012, standards were set that rated each dehumidifier’s efficiency, labeled as Energy Factor. Energy Factor is expressed by liters of water removed per kWh of electricity consumed. The tests were only done when dehumidifiers were on and actively removing moisture.
New 2019 Dehumidifier Standards
Efficiency standards are based on a new metric, Integrated Energy Factor (IEF). IEF incorporates energy consumed when the fan is running but the dehumidifier’s refrigeration system is off.
This is a more accurate representation of how much energy is used since compressors turn on and off based on your home’s current humidity level. These tests are also conducted under the new temperature guidelines (65 degrees F instead of 80 degrees F).
Department of Energy 2019 Ratings: Dehumidifier FAQs
I’m replacing an old dehumidifier. What size do I need?
If you’re replacing an old model, your new dehumidifier will likely have a smaller capacity than the one you’re replacing. It will still match your needs. Use our table below for an estimated comparison. 
*Room dampness will influence these square footages slightly.
What changed?
The ambient temperature dehumidifiers are tested at changed from 80 to 65 degrees F. The conditions changed - not the dehumidifiers. The dehumidifiers work at the same rate as they did in the past.
Why did the changes occur?
The DOE lowered the testing room temperature because dehumidifiers are most commonly used in basements. The new test standards (65 degrees F) better reflect conditions in basements.
What brands are using the new pint capacities?
So far on the Sylvane site Santa Fe and Danby are using the new testing standards for pint capacities.
Do the changes influence performance?
No. Since there’s less moisture to remove from cooler air, the number of pints removed also drops. But the dehumidifiers themselves didn’t change.
Their internal parts are the same as they have been in the past.
Common Misconceptions
- "I’m paying the same for a smaller unit": Not true. Again, the method of testing is different - not the internal components.
- “I need a 70 pint dehumidifier”: This is likely using the old testing conditions. The new 45 to 50 pint dehumidifiers run very similarly as the old 70 pint units.
- "I need to throw away my old unit": No you don’t. Any performance changes are insignificant.
Questions?
Take a look at our article on How to Choose the Right Size Dehumidifier for more information on finding the perfect model for you.
If you're still confused, call one of our product experts at 1-800-934-9194. They'll be happy to help find the right dehumidifier for you.
In Summary
The DOE testing standards for dehumidifiers have changed. Dehumidifiers are now tested at 65 degrees F instead of 80 degrees F. Since there's less moisture in cooler air, dehumidifier pint capacities dropped. Use our chart to see how the old pint capacities match up with new capacities based on the new dehumidifier testing standards.
