Hi Ellen,
From Tara Kennedy of Yale University:
A couple of questions for her to ask herself before choosing a dehumidifier:
• How damp is the space?
• What is the square footage of the space?
o These two questions will determine which size capacity (removal of pints of water) she will need for the space.
o [Attached] is a helpful table from AHAM, although you can get a larger capacity unit if it has the ability to shut off once an optimal relative humidity is reached. You are mostly looking to avoid buying a unit that will underserve the space.
Some other questions:
• How will the dehumidifier be emptied?
o Manually (e.g. a human empties the bucket daily)? Is there a floor drain or sink nearby where the water from the dehumidifier can drain safely? Will gravity suffice or will you need a pump to carry the water from the dehumidifier to the floor drain/sink? I’d recommend getting a dehumidifier with a pump if the water has to travel any distance and/or uphill (e.g. into a sink)
• What type of controls does the dehumidifier offer?
o Having the ability to control RH level with auto shutoff is recommended
• Are you concerned about energy consumption?
o You might consider a dehumidifier that is more energy-efficient, especially if it will need to run 24/7
Please let us know if you have any more questions, but this should help you get started!
Thanks much,
Liz
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