Many of us don’t give a whole lot of thought to the humidity levels in our homes. However, overly humid air can potentially cause health issues and even damage the structure of your home. Here, we’ll go over what dehumidifiers do and why you (probably) need one. And if you’re just beginning your search for the best dehumidifier for 1000 sq ft, we’ve included a selection of five quality dehumidifiers for your consideration.
What Are Dehumidifiers? How Do They Work?
The name “dehumidifier” briefly explains what these machines do. They work to remove excess moisture from the air in your home. Excess humidity may not sound like a significant issue, but it can lead to the growth of mold and other allergens, causing damage to your home. A dehumidifier will keep the humidity levels in your home at an acceptable level, and some more advanced models let you set the exact level of humidity that you want to achieve.
Unless you buy a whole-house dehumidifier that connects to your home’s air ducts, you’ll likely buy a refrigerant dehumidifier. First, a dehumidifier will pull in air from the room it’s in. This air is warm, and it probably contains extra moisture.
That warm, moist air is pumped over a series of cooled coils within the unit. As the air passes over these coils, moisture condenses onto them. That moisture is collected in a bin or drip pan that can be removed and dumped as it nears fullness. The now-dry air passes over the motor of the dehumidifier, which warms it back up slightly. It’s then pumped back into the room. In most cases, this doesn’t create much noise or a noticeable gust of air. However, some units have turbo speeds that may be slightly louder.
You might worry that a dehumidifier that works this way will pull too much moisture from the air as it continues to run. This is technically possible, but just about every dehumidifier has a gauge to shut it off once it reaches the desired humidity level in a given room. If you leave it running while you aren’t home, you won’t return to an overly dry house.
See Also:
- High Efficiency Basement Dehumidifiers – Our Picks for 2022
- The Best Mini Dehumidifiers for Bathroom – Buyer’s Guide and Reviews
- The Best Dehumidifier with a Pump for Basement
- The Best Dehumidifier for Gun Safe in Garage
- The Best Dehumidifier for COPD, Asthma and Allergy
Why Do You Need One?
Most of us are at least familiar with the concept of a dehumidifier, but not everyone knows all the benefits of owning one. Here are some of the benefits that come with owning a dehumidifier:
They reduce mold growth
Toxic mold thrives in moist environments. And while mold is unsightly, it also can cause severe respiratory issues, especially in people with allergies and asthma. And once mold has taken hold, it tends to spread. If mold grows somewhere hidden, it can spread unchecked, and in some cases, it even affects your home’s structure. This can cause damage, and it’s often a costly fix.
In very humid air, it’s even possible for mold to grow on clothing, sheets, and furniture. This is also a health hazard and will likely require you to do more laundry than usual.
They reduce the risk of rust and corrosion
Especially in humid climates, very moist air can wreak havoc on sensitive electronics and some kinds of metal. This is especially likely on electronics you’ve had for a while. Circuit boards and some other components frequently develop a layer of dust over time. This dust effectively soaks up moisture in the air and keeps it close to the electronics. Over time, this can cause damage that may be permanent.
They make the environment less hospitable for dust mites
Many people don’t realize that dust mites thrive in moist environments. If you’ve already invested in a HEPA filter or another air purifier and still experience respiratory problems, try using a dehumidifier. By taking moisture out of the air, you’re making it more difficult for dust mites to take up residence, and you’re likely to see an increase in your respiratory health.
They lower energy costs
When you run an air conditioning unit without a dehumidifier, your AC uses more energy. This is because it expends energy to cool the air in your home and remove moisture. If you get an energy-efficient dehumidifier and run it alongside AC, you’ll likely see a dramatic decrease inenergy costs.
They eliminate some of the inconveniences caused by high-humidity air
Often, if you’ve lived with too-humid air for too long, you won’t notice somedownsides until you start using a dehumidifier. One of these downsides is that cereals and other dry goods tend to spoil faster in moist air. This is because they absorb moisture readily, which makes them prematurely soggy. Another issue is that, in humid air, clothes tend to dry less quickly. By dehumidifying your mood, clothes you hang to dry will dry much faster (and stay dry afterward).
They reduce odors
Even if your home has no severe mold or moisture issues, homes with humid air may develop a distinctive, mildew odor. This odor is sometimes described as a “rotting” odor, which you likely want to remedy as soon as possible if it’s starting in your home. A dehumidifier will probably get rid of this issue, as well as stopping any existing mildew or mold from spreading.
How Do You Choose the Right Size?
As you shop for dehumidifiers, you will see that each is rated for a certain number of square feet. It’s unrealistic to expect a dehumidifier to work alone in a large house, so you may need more than one if you have a severe moisture issue. Otherwise, it’s a good idea to choose one and place it in the area of your home most prone to excess moisture. For many people, this is the basement of their home. Basements are prone to moisture buildup, and because they’re so close to the foundation of a home, a too-damp basement may eventually cause damage to the foundation.
The dehumidifiers on our list below are the best 1,000 square feet. This is a size larger than many rooms. It’s important to remember that you can always use a dehumidifier rated for a larger space in a smaller room–they won’t over-dry the air thanks to internal gauges that shut off when the air reaches optimal humidity.
However, using a dehumidifier rated for a smaller room in a larger space isn’t a good idea. It won’t be able to remove enough moisture, and it’s likely to be constantly running, which also may stress the motor over time. Additionally, dehumidifiers rated for smaller rooms often have smaller collection buckets, so you may need to empty them frequently.
The Best Dehumidifier for 1000 Sq Ft Space
In order to help you start your search for a dehumidifier, we’ve put together five quality units that are suitable for rooms of about 1,000 square feet.
1) MIDEA MAD20C1ZWS Dehumidifier
This compact, affordable dehumidifier has a sleek, modern appearance, and it’s rated for an impressive 1,500 square feet. It also allows you to custom-adjust your desired humidity level from 35% to 85%.
Regarding water collection, this unit can collect an impressive 20 pints. And while you can empty it like any other dehumidifier, you also can set it up to continually drain simply by connecting a hose. This model also has a built-in reusable air filter, effectively a 2-in-1 air cleaning machine.
This machine has both an auto-defrost capability and a turbo mode. This means that you can safely use it in colder climates. You can also run it in turbo mode to quickly remove most of the humidity from a room.
This is also a dehumidifier that won’t drive up your energy bills–it’s Energy Star certified and runs very quietly. At its maximum running speed, it’s only 51 decibels. The manufacturer also stands behind this dehumidifier–it comes with a one-year parts and labor warranty.
2) hOmeLabs HME020030N Dehumidifier
If you want a compact dehumidifier that won’t detract from the aesthetic of any room, this one is a great choice. It can remove up to 22 pints (one gallon) of water from the air each day. And like some others on this list, you can manually remove the collected water or attach a 5/8″ hose to drain it automatically. Its efficiency is deceptive–this is a smaller unit, and it looks a lot like a white computer tower. This dehumidifier is also very quiet, and it’s Energy Star certified, so you won’t have to worry about spending too much to keep it running.
If you need to remove moisture from the air rapidly, it has a Turbo Mode that dramatically increases fan speed to quickly cycle through all the moist air in a given room. This feature is handy, and it’s pretty uncommon–many cheaper models only have a single fan speed.
Regarding portability, this is one of the most easily movable units out there. It has built-in wheels and handles, making it very easy to move as needed. It comes with a generous two-year warranty; those registering their product can also get a six-month contract control, and you can adjust your desired relative humidity anywhere from 35% to 85%. While it has only one fan speed, this model does have a low-temperature running option, which saves energy. It’s also Energy Star certified.
3) Honeywell TP30WKN Dehumidifier
Honeywell is a well-respected manufacturer of home appliances, and this dehumidifier lives up to the brand’s reputation. Like many of the devices on the list, it’s compact, all-white, and easily integrates into almost any type of decor. It also can remove up to 30 pints of water from the air per day. However, it’s important to note that this dehumidifier is rated for use in rooms for 1000 sq ft, while many others on the list are for those up to 1,500 square feet.
This compact unit also has several convenience features. It has a washable air filter to help keep air clean as well as relatively dry. Also, it includes indicator lights for the air filter and the collection tank, and it has an energy-saving 24-hour shutoff option. It also has a low-temperature running option, making running safe in more relaxed environments where many standard dehumidifiers would freeze.
When it comes to quality control, this dehumidifier also stands out. Third-party companies independently test all Honeywell products for quality and efficacy. This dehumidifier also comes with a five-year warranty, more extensive than almost any dehumidifier on the market.
4) Waykar Home Dehumidifier
The Waykar Home Dehumidifier is a high-capacity dehumidifier that can dry out small to medium spaces by removing up to 34 pints of moisture daily. It has a sleek, contemporary style with 3 air outlets and a touch control panel with a digital display for simple operation. The dehumidifier features an automatic humidity control feature that lets you pick the preferred humidity level and automatically alter it to keep it at that level.
The safety features of this dehumidifier are among its best qualities. In addition to overflow protection and warning features accessible if the water tank is full for added security, it offers a Safety Standby Mode that prevents overheating.
It has a child-lock option and sleep mode function that lets you lock the dehumidifier to prevent kids from mistakenly changing the settings. The internal components are composed of thermally resistant materials.
A 24-hour timer is another Waykar 2500 sq. ft. home dehumidifier feature that enables preset operation and lower energy use. Water can be manually drained through the tank or using the included drain hose. It also contains four castor wheels, which make moving the machine from one room to another simple.
The Waykar dehumidifier is made portable and effective for usage in any size up to 2500 square feet, despite bathrooms being often small. It can also be used in other house parts, including laundry, basements, bedrooms, kitchens, and living rooms.
5) Midea Cube 20 Pint Dehumidifier
This chic white dehumidifier is ideal for 1,500 square feet, a prolonged operation period made possible by its larger water tank and intelligent control capabilities, such as Alexa compatibility and the Midea Cube Air App. The Midea Cube 20 Pint Dehumidifier is an industry leader in simplicity, effectiveness, and moisture management.
When it comes to removing extra moisture from your basement and rooms, the Midea Cube 20 Pint Dehumidifier excels. Its small size does not diminish its ability to cover up to 1,500 square feet effectively. You can enjoy longer operation times with a larger water tank without emptying it regularly.
The Midea Cube 20 Pint Dehumidifier has a clean white hue and a modern, elegant style that complements any interior design. Its small size, with dimensions of 13.5 inches in width, depth, and height, makes placing in various places simple. The lift-and-twist construction of the unit offers unrivaled flexibility. The expanded form has a bigger water tank capacity, and the nested structure, which is smaller when not in use, is functional.
The dehumidifier’s front panel has a clear LED display, making it simple to check settings and make changes. The user-friendly control panel provides quick access to features, including humidity level adjustment, fan speed selection, and mode settings. Three different fan speeds and a multi-directional air intake offer practical and personalized cooling.
What Features Should You Look for When Buying a Dehumidifier?
By now, we know the basic features of dehumidifiers, but each model has its own set of features. The following are some of the extra features you may see on modern dehumidifiers. Each is something to consider when shopping for your own dehumidifier.
Built-in humidistats
Some dehumidifiers have a built-in humidistat. This feature gauges the humidity in the surrounding air and adjusts the dehumidifier settings accordingly. With most of these dehumidifiers, you can set your preferred relative humidity just as you would set your desired temperature with a window AC unit. Many humidistat-equipped dehumidifiers have a relatively wide range of humidity settings.
Defrosting capabilities
Dehumidifiers use a cooled coil, and these coils can freeze over in icy environments (even those that are still above freezing). If you want to run a dehumidifier in a more relaxed atmosphere, getting one that will work in colder climates is a good idea. These dehumidifiers have built-in defrosters that prevent coils from freezing. If the waves in a dehumidifier freeze, they stop the unit from working and cause permanent damage. Thus, even if you don’t choose a team with defrosting capabilities, choosing one that will work in your home’s temperature range is essential.
Collection capacity
Home dehumidifiers vary somewhat widely regarding how much water they can collect. If you want to be able to go for more extended periods without emptying the collection bucket, you may want a unit with a larger collection capacity. Be sure to compare the collection capacities of different units before committing to one.
Automatic shut-off
This is a related feature to collection capacity–if your collection bucket or tray overflows, it can cause problems within the dehumidifier and in your home. Some units have a part that automatically shuts off if the collection compartment overflows. If you’re forgetful, this is a great feature to have.Along with (and sometimes instead of) automatic shutoff, some units give you the option of connecting a hose to the drainage tank. This allows you to let the unit continually drain via gravity. Of course, you’ll need to ensure you have a place to let the water safely drain.
Electronic or manual controls
Most basic models of dehumidifiers have a manual, dial-style control. Some newer models have electronic controls- usually more advanced controls that let you choose your ideal humidity. In some cases, you can even control your dehumidifier from an app, adding convenience.
Mobility features
While this isn’t always the case, many dehumidifiers are large. If you want to be able to move the unit quickly, look for handles or even caster wheels. Most people don’t need to move dehumidifiers often, but these features are handy when you need to move them. Most dehumidifiers are relatively lightweight (especially the ones rated for rooms up to 1,000 square feet), but wheels and handles make it significantly easier to move them.
Included air filters
While this is not a feature on every dehumidifier, it’s a useful addition that will allow you to essentially use your dehumidifier as an air filter as well. Most of these included filters are washable, which means you don’t need to spend money buying replacements–you simply need to clean them with soap and water. While these filters are great for removing most larger dust particles, it’s important to note that they aren’t usually HEPA filters. If you have asthma, allergies, or other respiratory issues, it may be a good idea to also invest in a HEPA filter, as they remove smaller particles that many air filters miss.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re looking to buy a state-of-the-art unit with plenty of extra features or just a very straightforward dehumidifier, purchasing one of these machines has the potential to greatly improve your quality of life. And whether you buy one from our list or end up selecting something different, be sure to carefully evaluate each selection in order to choose the best one for your home. You’ll be well on your way to clearer, healthier air.
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