A dehumidifier is a powerful appliance designed to dry out your home, or a room in your home. Great in winter, they can help remove dampness, musty smells, and help improve the overall health of your home.
But how does one choose the right dehumidifier for their needs? We have put together this buying guide to help you in your shopping journey, so you can avoid purchasing the wrong model.
Types of Dehumidifiers
There are different types of dehumidifiers, each designed to remove a different amount of moisture in a 24 hour period.
Small-Capacity Dehumidifiers: If you have an area of less than 600 square feet, you will likely find a small-capacity dehumidifier is perfect for you. These units can remove less than 30 pints of moisture per day. Small capacity dehumidifiers are available from retailers like Noel Leeming for as little as $115 - Shop now!
Medium-Capacity Dehumidifiers: Great for a space of 600 to 800 square feet, which is damp and has a musty smell, and can remove 30 to 40 pints of moisture per day.
Large-Capacity Dehumidifiers: Suitable for larger spaces of 600 to 1200 feet, or smaller spaces that have issues with moisture such as mould or puddles. They can remove 40 pints or more of moisture per day. Tip: With a large unit, have the water flow straight into a drain so you don't empty the tank over again.
Check out a huge range of heating and dehumidifier options at Noel Leeming - always great deals available!
Features of Dehumidifiers
These are some features to consider when comparing dehumidifier models.
Humidistat: Similar to a thermostat, a humidistat lets you set the humidity levels that you want. This means you can avoid removing too much moisture, which can cause dry skin and irritate allergies. Generally, a humidity level of 30-50% is great for keeping the dust mites at bay, and preventing mould growth.
Timer: A timer means the unit can automatically turn on and off – a great way to control the moisture levels in your home, and avoid having it run longer than necessary and consuming more power.
Noise: Most dehumidifiers will create a humming noise, loud enough to be annoying if you are watching TV. You can reduce the fan speed on models with adjustable fan speeds to minimise the noise. Consider what time of day you will be running the machine, and whether the noise will clash with your activities, and shop for a unit that is quieter.
Wheels and Carry Handles: You will likely want to be able to move the unit around the house with ease. Wheels and a carry handle can make it easy to manoeuvre even larger models, without damaging floor boards or causing injury.
Other Things to Consider
Size of Space: How much space do you have for the unit? Do you have a small apartment or flat? Or a large family home? Determine the square footage of the area you want to dry out, simply multiply the length of the room by the width. Consider how much dampness there is in that space. Is there condensation? Mould? You could even grab a hygrometer to determine the humidity levels, if you would like to be extra accurate.
The Tank Size: Smaller tank sizes will need to be emptied more often. If you’d prefer a uni that requires less maintenance, consider getting a larger tank.
