Dehumidifiers: How many pints do I need? 

Your basement smells of mildew. You need a dehumidifier. Your first instinct is to reach for the tape measure and calculate your basement’s square footage. Area, is typically the only logistical factor we consider when choosing our home comfort appliances. We measure the room that we wish to cool, warm, humidify, dehumidify, and make our choices accordingly. However, when choosing a dehumidifier there is another critical variable: humidity. A small space with copious moisture may need the same capacity dehumidifier as a large space with only moderate excess humidity. 

For this reason, dehumidifiers are measured in pints. This measurement of volume indicates the amount of water the dehumidifier can extract in a 24-hour period. To find the right one for your home or office, you should ensure there is a match between the pint capacity, the square footage of the space, as well as its humidity levels.   

30-Pint Dehumidifiers 

These dehumidifiers collect up to 30 pints of water per day and are ideal for homes of up to 2,000 sq. ft., provided the space is somewhat damp. Basements are more humid, and will require a higher capacity for the same space. A 30-pint dehumidifier also works well for basement and crawl spaces of up to 1,500 sq. ft., making it appropriate for residential basements in general.  

40 to 50-Pint Dehumidifiers 

These fall in the medium range as far as capacity is concerned and is suitable for spaces up to 2,000 sq. ft. They are ideal for a damp basement or room, with clear indications of excess moisture, such as visible mold growth, damp stains, and musty odors.  

60 to 70-Pint Dehumidifiers 

This is the largest category of home dehumidifiers. They can collect 60 to 70 pints of fluid in 24 hours and are suited for homes, crawl spaces or basements of more than 2,000 sq. ft., irrespective of the level of humidity.  

Choosing the Right Dehumidifier 

To choose the right dehumidifier for your room, the first step is to assess room condition. Basing your choice on the size of your space and the capacity of the appliance is not enough. To find the best solution, you also need to consider how damp the space is. The extent of dampness determines the ideal capacity of a unit. If your house happens to be in a humid region, add 10 pints. If a lot of people live in the space, add 5 pints. For spaces with multiple doors and windows, add another 5.  

Here’s a handy dehumidifier size guide to help you make the right choice. 

Did you know… Quilo’s Portable Air Conditioners convert into powerful dehumidifiers, with the smallest model, the QP110, still able to extract a mammoth 80 pints per day!