The Best Whole-House Dehumidifiers of 2023 (2023)

FAQs

What is the best dehumidifier on the market today? ›

Simply put, the Frigidaire FFAD5033W1 is by far the best dehumidifier we've tested as of the writing of this guide in 2023. It is unequivocally the best dehumidifier on the market today. Here's why.

But because warm air holds more moisture than cool air, humidity-related problems tend to develop in the spring and worsen over the summer months, when outdoor levels peak. This makes spring the ideal time to learn about the advantages of purchasing a dehumidifier if you have a moisture problem.

Shop in the Off-Season

You can often find the best deals for portable dehumidifiers in late summer and early fall, says Ramsey. At that time, too, you'll likely be able to negotiate a better price for a whole-house system than you'd get when the weather is humid and contractors are busy.

Humidifiers help to put moisture back into the air to avoid these issues and keep your airways clear. There are two main types of humidifiers: cool mist and warm mist. Just like their names imply, cool mist humidifiers emit a cool vapor into the air and warm mist humidifiers boil water to release warm steam.

Yes, power draw is greater for larger capacity units. But larger capacity units draw that maximum power for a smaller amount of time. It should now be clear to you that 50 pint dehumidifiers are the most energy efficient.

Indoor relative humidity (RH) should be kept below 60 percent — ideally between 30 percent and 50 percent, if possible. Low humidity may also discourage pests (such as cockroaches) and dust mites. The key part that we forget when it comes to basement dehumidifier settings is the temperature.

Dehumidifier Corporation of America dehumidifiers are compliant with the requirements of the Buy American Act and proudly made in the U.S.A. at our Cedarburg, Wisconsin facility.

Dehumidifiers that remove the most amount of humidity from the air—130 pints per 24-hour cycle—generally cost more than $2,000 per dehumidifier unit. Lower capacity dehumidifier models that remove 70 to 80 pints per day cost around $1,500.

How much does a good dehumidifier cost? ›

A 34–40-pint capacity dehumidifier can cover a 500-1,500 sq. ft. room, while a 40–60-pint capacity dehumidifier can cover a 1,000–2,500 sq. ft.

In most homes, the humidity produced by humans is negligible, but large families of six or more people might want to consider a larger dehumidifier to handle increased humidity levels. The size and number of doors and windows in the home can also influence the humidity levels in the home.

Can you dehumidify too much? There is a chance of dehumidifying your home too much with a dehumidifier, especially if you are leaving your dehumidifier running for several hours on a timer unattended. Over-dehumidifying your home can lead to an increased chance of respiratory illnesses and dry and cracked skin.

The lifetime of dehumidifiers usually ranges from five to 10 years. To maximize the lifetime, it's important to care for your dehumidifier. Be sure to regularly change the air filters, clean the condensing coils and exhaust grilles, and empty and clean the water bucket.

Many homeowners use dehumidifiers to help manage indoor moisture levels, particularly during the warmer months of the year. However, it's important to know when to turn the unit off. Once temperatures drop to around 65 degrees, it's best to turn the dehumidifier off.

You want to place your machine in an area where there is good air circulation so the unit can efficiently work. We do not recommend placing a dehumidifier directly against a wall or piece of furniture. Instead, put it at least six inches away from these vent-blocking surfaces.

Can I leave the dehumidifier running at night? Yes, we recommend using a dehumidifier 24hrs, however, be aware that there will always be a noise generated from the machine when it is operating.

The simple answer to whether they use a lot of electricity is yes. Even though the wattage or energy consumption of many models is low (The average being 483 watts), they stay on for at least 12 hours a day and in most cases, 24 hours, which is why the costs can increase, particularly for less efficient models.

How Long To Run Your Dehumidifier? So to recap, run your dehumidifier unit for at least 12 hours a day. This is a good rule of thumb. Again, it's okay if you don't stick to this schedule every day, but be aware that the more your family runs your dehumidifier unit the fresher and cleaner it will be all year long.

What is the best way to dehumidify whole-house? ›

The best way to deal with high humidity inside a home is to have air quality specialists install a whole-house dehumidifier. (Don't spend money on a portable dehumidifier. These devices pose fire risks and won't get the job done you need.)

A whole-house dehumidifier reduces humidity throughout a home. It can be added onto the ductwork of the HVAC system or stand alone as a single unit in the basement. A dehumidifier keeps humidity levels below 50%.

Vent Your Home

Perhaps the simplest and cheapest way to significantly reduce humidity in your home is to improve ventilation. The easiest way to do this is to open doors and windows as regularly as possible. It might also be worth your time to place fans in problem areas to keep the air circulating.

The three main types of dehumidifier are - Refrigerant, Desiccant and Whole House. Each has a different method of collecting the moisture as outlined below and knowing the difference will help you decide which one you need.

(A central AC averages 220 volts, while a dehumidifier averages 100 volts.) If you can reduce your air conditioning use by only an hour a day because of the action of a dehumidifier, you will save around $20 a day… and you will probably manage to reduce your use much farther.

Mould will easily grow and spread if the right conditions are present. So, dehumidifiers don't kill mould, but they can help to prevent it from growing inside your home by reducing humidity.

Room size. Use the chart under “Selecting a dehumidifier: what you need to know” to determine the size that suits your needs and remember, when it comes to dehumidifiers it's better to oversize than undersize! That way you'll be sure your unit will meet your needs.

A dehumidifier should collect around 10-20 pints a day. However, factors such as relative humidity levels, size of the appliance, location, and temperature can affect how much it collects.

What brand of dehumidifier is quiet? ›

Buying or replacing a whole-home dehumidifier is an investment in your home comfort. The costs depend on the size of the dehumidifier, the drainage options, and labor for installation. An installed cost of a dehumidifier can range between $1,000 and $2,800 or more.

Are dehumidifiers worth it? Yes, if you've got damp problems. Broadly speaking, cheaper models have fewer features, a smaller tank capacity and may not be as efficient at water removal. Pricier models typically have a better water-removal capability, higher energy efficiency, more features and a larger tank capacity.

'Compressor dehumidifiers are in general cheaper to run but you'll mostly be using your dehumidifier in the winter months and the extra energy that a desiccant uses is released into the room as heat.

Dehumidifiers work best in areas where damp air collects, like basements. Signs you might want to consider buying a dehumidifier include: Anyone in the home has a prolonged allergy season, year after year. You've recently moved and your allergies seem to be flaring up more often or worse than they used to.

Look for a dehumidifier with a 10 pint removal capacity for a 500 square foot room. If your room exceeds 500 square feet, you want an additional 4 pints for every 500 square feet. If your room is 1,000 square feet, for example, you want at least a 14 pint removal capacity to maximize moisture removal.

On average, a whole-house dehumidifier can remove up to 98 pints of water per day. That's a lot of water, and it may sound, great but is it necessary? On average, a family of four only adds 25 pints of moisture to the air each day.

#1 – The Best Overall – Frigidaire FFAD5033W1. Simply put, the Frigidaire FFAD5033W1 is by far the best dehumidifier we've tested as of the writing of this guide in 2023. It is unequivocally the best dehumidifier on the market today.

If your dehumidifier's water basin is filling up too quickly, you probably have extra water in the air due to an issue like a cracked pipe, water leak or open crawl space. If you're hardly getting any water in the basin, you may need to simply turn the control to a drier setting.

How many dehumidifiers do I need for my house? ›

To determine the number of dehumidifiers that are required, divide the number of pints required to dry the space and then divide by your dehumidifier capacity (if you do not the AHAM rating of your dehumidifier, check the manufacturers website). The result of this calculation represents the number of machines needed.

The Health and Safety Executive recommends that relative humidity indoors should be maintained at 40-70%, while other experts recommend that the range should be 30-60%. Most people find 30-60% most comfortable and this is the level that Airthings recommends.

The ideal relative humidity for health and comfort is somewhere between 30-50% humidity, according to the Mayo Clinic. This means that the air holds between 30-50% of the maximum amount of moisture it can contain.

The World Health Organisation guidelines suggest 21 degrees in a living room and 18 degrees in the bedrooms, falling lower at night and when you are out. You don't need to keep your home at these temperatures all the time, but you should aim to bring it up to these temperatures at least some of the day.

To determine the right size dehumidifier for your area, factor in the square feet. For example, a medium humidifier is the best fit for a 2000 square foot space. If the area is extremely damp, increase the pint capacity: 500 square feet or less: a small dehumidifier with a 12-pint capacity.

A whole-house dehumidifier reduces humidity throughout a home. It can be added onto the ductwork of the HVAC system or stand alone as a single unit in the basement. A dehumidifier keeps humidity levels below 50%.

The lifetime of dehumidifiers usually ranges from five to 10 years. To maximize the lifetime, it's important to care for your dehumidifier. Be sure to regularly change the air filters, clean the condensing coils and exhaust grilles, and empty and clean the water bucket.

Look for a dehumidifier with a 10 pint removal capacity for a 500 square foot room. If your room exceeds 500 square feet, you want an additional 4 pints for every 500 square feet. If your room is 1,000 square feet, for example, you want at least a 14 pint removal capacity to maximize moisture removal.

As a general rule of thumb, the larger and damper the space, the bigger capacity your dehumidifier should have. If it's only one room that's damp and it has high water moisture levels – such as a laundry room or bathroom – you can get away with one dehumidifier in your home.

Large dehumidifiers tend to be more energy efficient than smaller models and like most appliances, newer models are much more efficient than those of previous generations.

How much is a whole home dehumidifier? ›

Buying or replacing a whole-home dehumidifier is an investment in your home comfort. The costs depend on the size of the dehumidifier, the drainage options, and labor for installation. An installed cost of a dehumidifier can range between $1,000 and $2,800 or more.

The ideal relative humidity for health and comfort is somewhere between 30-50% humidity, according to the Mayo Clinic. This means that the air holds between 30-50% of the maximum amount of moisture it can contain.