How many dehumidifiers do I need?
You see, a dehumidifier is a device that uses a refrigeration cycle to remove moisture from the air. It is used to prevent mold and mildew from growing in basements or crawl spaces, as well as to clean the air of moisture, which allows the user to breathe easier. You can find dehumidifiers in many homes today, as they are extremely useful in various situations.
For the purpose of efficiency, many people think that having many dehumidifiers is better than having just one. Of course, the notion seems understandable. But is it actually true?
Picking The Right Dehumidifier Size
In choosing a dehumidifier, you have to prioritize its size. You see, the bigger the dehumidifier, the more powerful its dehumidifying effects are.
At this point, you’ll realize that having a single dehumidifier is alright as long as the latter has a large capacity. After all, these large dehumidifiers are necessary for broad and expansive floor spaces.
However, keep in mind that you don’t really need a large dehumidifier if you are just looking for a tool for spot dehumidification. For instance, you can prefer portable tabletop dehumidifiers for your bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. These small dehumidifiers are also great for apartments, inns, and travel purposes.
A dehumidifier can perform well if it is fitted in an area that corresponds to its configuration. For example, if your living room has a floor size of 300 square meters, then you should get a dehumidifier that has the corresponding capacity.
The table below is a reference to the ideal dehumidifier size for a particular area.
| Square Footage | 300 square feet | 500 square feet | 800 square feet | 1,200 square feet |
| Humidity Condition | Dehumidifier Capacity (2020 Standard) | |||
| 50% to 60% Slightly Damp | 20 pints | 25-30 pints | 35-40 pints | 50 pints |
| 60% to 70%Moderately Damp | 20 pints | 25-30 pints | 35-40 pints | 50 pints |
| 70% to 80%Very Damp | 25 pints | 30 pints | 45 pints | 55 pints |
| 80% to 100%Wet | 25-30 pints | 35-40 pints | 45-50 pints | 60 pints |
The CFM Factor
A dehumidifier is one of the most useful appliances you can have in your home. In addition to preventing mold and mildew, they also reduce humidity levels, which can help prevent damage to your home and its contents.
However, with so many different dehumidifiers on the market, it can be difficult to know which one to choose for your needs. There are many different factors to consider when shopping for a dehumidifier, including the size of the room you want to humidify, the level of noise you are willing to put up with, and the cubic feet per minute.
The cubic feet per minute is a technical specification that tells the volume of air that a device can move. For dehumidifiers, the CFM rating is exceptionally essential because moisture can only be removed from the air by moving it through the device’s fan.
In short, if your device has a low CFM rating, you cannot expect that it can deal with your excess humidity problems.
The Ideal Humidity In Your Space
The CFM rating is derived from the humidity levels in your area and the latter’s square footage. Specifically, we need to get the cubic footage because it helps us identify the volume of air per cubic footage that the dehumidifier should process.
Knowing the humidity level in your area will determine the number of cycles that a dehumidifier must perform in an hour to ensure that excess moisture is eliminated. This process is called air changes per hour or ACH. Hence, if the relative humidity is high, the more cycles the dehumidifier must perform.
Pro Tip:
You cannot just guess the humidity level in your area. For accuracy purposes, you need to invest in a hygrometer, which is not that expensive. A hygrometer is an instrument that is used to measure the humidity level in the room. It is typically used in homes, warehouses, and other places that require specific levels of humidity. This device can be made from different materials, including plastic, metal, and glass.
Meanwhile, check the table below for the ideal air changes per hour for every humidity level.
| Humidity Condition | Ideal Air Changes Per Hour |
| 50% to 60% Slightly Damp | 3 ACH |
| 60% to 70%Moderately Damp | 4 ACH |
| 70% to 80%Very Damp | 5 ACH |
| 80% to 100%Wet | 6 ACH |
Calculating The CFM
Here is a simple example that you can use to calculate the appropriate CFM rating of a dehumidifier in your space:
- 75% Relative Humidity = 4 air changes per hour (ACH)
- Square footage x ceiling height = 1,200 square feet x 8 feet
- 9,600 square feet x 4 ACH / 60 minutes = 640 CFM
Again, you only need one dehumidifier if it has the right capability. You don’t need to invest in multiple units since it will just add to your power bill. A single but properly configured dehumidifier can fix your humidity problems.
In a nutshell, you simply need to measure the floor size of the room you want to dehumidify and get a dehumidifier that has the right specifications.
How Many Dehumidifiers Do I Need In My House?
What if you want to dehumidify your entire house? Do you need to purchase multiple dehumidifiers?
The thing is, you can have one dehumidifier for whole-house applications if the device features the correct specs.
However, keep in mind that the performance or efficiency of a dehumidifier can be affected by the divisions and number of floors that your home has. Even if you have a powerful dehumidifier, you cannot expect that it can work in your basement if you place it in your living room.
Of course, most of us fall into this predicament. It is not a failure of architecture but rather a structural dynamics that you need to overcome to ensure proper dehumidification.
To overcome this ordeal, you simply need to purchase a dehumidifier per each of the areas that you want to dehumidify. For example, you can put one dehumidifier in your basement, one in your kitchen, and another in your garage.
For multiple rooms, you have an option to allocate one dehumidifier for each of them. Alternatively, you can still use one dehumidifier and open the doors of the rooms. In this way, the device can accommodate them without physical blockages or restrictions.
Having many dehumidifiers may offer the ideal dehumidification solution for you. But at the same time, keep in mind that the more appliances you have, the higher your power bills become.
- For condos, hotel rooms, and apartments – A single dehumidifier can take care of the humidity problems in these areas. Just make sure that you have the right dehumidifier size.
- For bungalows – Bungalows vary in size and design. Depending on these factors, you can either get one or buy several units.
Conclusion
Having a dehumidifier in your home is not necessarily the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of home improvements. However, it is an investment that can help improve the comfort in your space. A dehumidifier can help with a number of things, such as drying out the air in your home, enhancing your air quality, and preventing mold growth.
Having the right dehumidifier can help you overcome humidity issues. At the same time, it enables you to cut costs in maintaining your home’s livability and conduciveness. After all, one dehumidifier can be enough.
I hope that you find this post useful. For other related inquiries, ask me in the comment section below.