Dehumidifiers
A 40-pint ENERGY STAR qualified dehumidifier can save consumers $20 per
year. This can add up to more than $250 over the life of the unit.
Earning the ENERGY STAR means a product meets strict energy efficiency
guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Department
of Energy.
ENERGY STAR qualified models have more efficient refrigeration coils,
compressors, and fans than conventional models, which means they use less
energy to remove moisture.
An ENERGY STAR qualified model removes the same amount of moisture
as a similarly-sized standard unit, but uses 10-20 percent less energy.
In fact, the energy saved by an ENERGY
How Do I Know If I Need a Dehumidifier?
A dehumidifier is used to remove
excess moisture from the air. Some of the most common indications
that you may need a dehumidifier are:
Wet stains on walls and ceilings
Stuffy feeling in a room
Rotting wood
Condensation on windows
Musty smells
Allergies
(if the air in your home is too moist, it will encourage the growth
of bacteria and mold, common allergens) .
Dehumidifier BasicsCapacity
Dehumidifier capacity is usually measured in pints per 24 hours
and is determined by two factors: the size of the space that needs to
be dehumidified and the conditions that exist in the space before dehumidification.
Use the chart below to estimate the capacity you are looking for, or
use the dehumidifier calculator available on the ENERGY STAR Northeast
Website.
Source: Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM)
Water Removal Options
Most dehumidifiers use a removable plastic bucket and warning
lights to indicate when the bucket is full and needs to be emptied.
There is typically an automatic shutoff when the bucket is full,
so you won’t have to worry about the bucket overflowing.
Most dehumidifiers come with a fitting that allows you to hook a
hose directly to the bucket, which can then be directed into a floor
drain or sump pump, so there is no need to empty it.
Placement
Most dehumidifiers have top-mounted air discharge and can be
placed against walls, but if you do not have top-mounted discharge,
make sure the dehumidifier is located away from walls and furniture,
so that air can circulate freely around the unit. This will result
in better operation of the product.
Doors and windows to the space being dehumidified should be closed
while the unit is running. This will ensure that the space is dehumidified
as efficiently as possible.
Locate away from sources of dust and dirt (like woodworking equipment),
which can clog coils and grills.
Observe all manufacturer warnings regarding electrical safety. In
particular, never set up water drainage or disposal near electrical
circuits or devices. Make sure the dehumidifier is connected to a
properly grounded outlet. Keep drain hoses away from electrical cords
and connections.
If you are planning to use a hose to drain the dehumidifier’s water
bucket, make sure the unit is located near enough to the floor drain
or sump to avoid the need for a long and unwieldy hose. Don’t create
a tripping hazard!
Do not be alarmed if the air temperature directly around the unit
is warmer than in surrounding areas. As a dehumidifier removes moisture
from the air, it slightly warms the space around it.
Operating Temperature
If the space being dehumidified has temperatures that typically
fall below 65 degrees (F), you may want to consider buying a product
that is specified for use at lower temperatures.
Frost can form on the condensing coils if the air temperature drops
below 65 degrees, and may negatively affect the performance of the
product by causing the compressor to cycle on and off repeatedly
without removing moisture from the air. If this happens, the unit
should be switched off and allowed to defrost before it is turned
back on. Some dehumidifiers come with an antifrost sensor, which
will automatically turn the unit off if the air temperature drops
below a certain point.
Qualified ENERGY STAR models are available that are rated for use
at temperatures as low as 42 degrees.
Relative Humidity (RH) and Humidistats
Humidity, the amount of moisture or water vapor in the air,
is most often talked about in terms of Relative Humidity (RH).
RH is the amount of water vapor actually present in the air compared
to the greatest amount of water vapor the air can hold at that
temperature. The optimum RH level for a building is generally considered
to be between 30% and 50%. Anything above this range may promote
bacteria growth. (In colder climates, during the heating season,
humidity levels should be in the range of 30% to 40% RH to prevent
window condensation.)
Many dehumidifiers include a built-in humidistat, a device that
allows you to set the desired RH level that you would like for the
room. Once the room reaches the desired RH level, the dehumidifier
will cycle on and off automatically to maintain the level.
If your dehumidifier does not have a built-in humidistat, or has
a humidistat that does not show RH levels purchase a hygrometer (a
gauge that measures relative humidity) separately and hang it near
the dehumidifier. The hygrometer will measure RH levels, and enable
you to monitor when to turn the dehumidifier on and off.
Refrigerator
