A dehumidifier is an appliance that removes moisture from the air. Dehumidifiers are commonly used to make homes more comfortable by removing moisture from rooms or areas that are humid or have been flooded by water. A dehumidifier can be helpful in preventing mold and mildew growth. Put simply, a dehumidifier is just the opposite of a humidifier – where humidifiers add moisture to the air, dehumidifiers remove moisture (humidity) from the air.
Why do I need a dehumidifier?
In addition to preventing mold and mildew growth, some experts think that drier air can be helpful in reducing some health issues, such as arthritis.
How do I know if I need a dehumidifier?
A sign of excessive humidity in a home can be condensation on the inside of windows, especially if you have double- or triple-pane windows. If condensation is present for prolonged periods, take steps to reduce the level of moisture or increase ventilation in your home. Another sign of excess moisture could be the warping of floors or difficulty in opening wood windows and doors. In such cases, the moisture from the air is absorbed into the wood, causing it to expand.
How do I Choose the Proper Dehumidifier?
Use the following guide to help you determine the water removal rate of the dehumidifier you need for your home.
Why should I look for an AHAM-Certified Dehumidifier?
The Dehumidifier Certification Program verifies water removal capacity of each dehumidifier as tested by an independent laboratory. The rating is expressed in pints per 24 hour period at 80 F and 60% relative humidity. Dehumidifiers are tested using the ANSI/AHAM DH-1 standard.
The Energy Factor (liters per kilowatt hour - L/kWh) of each
dehumidifier is also certified by the manufacturers and verified by AHAM.
AHAM DEHUMIDIFICATION SELECTION GUIDE
Values in the table below indicate dehumidification required in Pints per 24 Hours, based on the area of the space to be dehumidified and the conditions that would exist in that space when a dehumidifier is not in use.
Area — Square Feet |
| Condition without Dehumidification During warm and humid outdoor conditions. |
500 |
1000 |
1500 |
2000 |
2500 |
| Moderately damp — Space feels damp and has musty odor only in humid weather. |
10 |
14 |
18 |
22 |
26 |
| Very damp — Space always feels damp and has musty odor. Damp spots show on walls and floor. |
12 |
17 |
22 |
27 |
32 |
| Wet — Space feels and smells wet. Walls or floor sweat, or seepage is present. |
14 |
20 |
26 |
32 |
38 |
| Extremely wet — Laundry drying, wet floor, high load conditions. |
16 |
23 |
30 |
37 |
44 |
|
| Dehumidification variables also include such other factors as climate, laundry equipment, number of family members, number of doors and windows, and degree and intensity of area activity. |
What manufacturers/brand name owners are listed in AHAM's Dehumidifier Certification Program?
A current list of manufactures/ brand name owners can be viewed by
clicking here.
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