Buying the Best Dehumidifier

If you're in the market for a dehumidifier, you have a range of options. The one that you choose should not overwhelm you with high power and lots of noise, leaving you with dry air, nor should it have a low amount of power that doesn't do much more than make funny sounds. Prices, like dehumidifier features, can vary widely -- from $30 or so to nearly $300. Choose carefully to ensure that your money is well spent.

Instructions

1. Look for a dehumidifier with sufficient capacity to keep a relative humidity of 55 percent in a room that is at least 10 cubic feet larger than the room where you plan to run it. Product specifications should give you an idea of dehumidifier capacity.

2. Take a look at the size of the container, and compare it with how many pints or gallons of water the dehumidifier collects per hour. Does it suit your needs? A large container in a high-capacity dehumidifier will need to be emptied less frequently than a lower-capacity dehumidifier with a smaller container.

3. Check for an automatic shutoff feature. This means that you may leave it on without changing it, because the dehumidifier will shut off when the reservoir is full.

4. Look for a dehumidifier with a humidistat. This lets you set a target relative humidity. This is a useful feature if you don't want to constantly monitor the dehumidifier.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider other convenient features, such as an automatic reset, which starts your dehumidifier after a power failure. You may also want to get a unit with casters, which makes moving the dehumidifier easier.

• Read reviews about the device you want to purchase. Look at what other people have to say about the model you're considering. The price doesn't always reflect the quality of the product.

References

• Consumer Search: Important Dehumidifier Features
• Dehumidifier Tips: Recommended Dehumidifier Features