Where To Place A Dehumidifier In Your Basement

When there is more moisture that accumulates in the room, your basement dehumidifier will need to work harder than normal.

A dehumidifier works best in enclosed areas. When looking for the best place to put your dehumidifier in the basement, it is important to make sure that all the outside openings like windows and doors are closed.

Air also needs to flow freely through your unit’s coils so you have to allow a minimum of 12 inches of space around the areas.

So, what is the best place to put a dehumidifier in my basement? If your basement dehumidifier has a top-mounted air discharge, you can put this against a wall.

You have to learn the product specification for your model when identifying where to place the unit.

Unless there is enough circulation, one basement dehumidifier will not be able to dry storage areas that are next to your basement.

When you have basement closets or some other extra rooms, there might be a need for several basement dehumidifiers.

There are a couple of things you have to consider when you place a dehumidifier in your basement.   Basically, it will mainly depend on the following:

• The dehumidifier’s capacity
• How big your basement is
• The average humidity level in your basement

When you live in an area with a relatively mild humid condition, you might be perfectly fine with a decent sized dehumidifier and putting this in one central location.

But, if you are living in a place with a humid climate and your basement is very big, a single dehumidifier might never be enough.

At any rate, keeping this centrally in a way that the dehumidifier has adequate room to draw and circulate air is a must.

Moisture Challenges in a Basement

A home’s basement is often used either for storage or as an expansion of the living space. Since basements are located underground, they have the tendency to be damp and cool.

Basements get damp because of water leaks, moisture that migrates through the foundation, or because of high humidity in the house.

These conditions can all lead to structural damage, rot, and numerous health issues. Health concerns are often brought about by mold spores.

More often than not, these mold spores float around in the basement that makes the air quality in the area very poor.

These conditions are the most common triggers of allergic reactions or asthma.

The moisture concerns in basements not only cause mold growth that can pose risks to your health because these can also lead to structural damage to your home.

Experts warn that levels of relative humidity that go beyond 80% in basements can cause the development of mildew and mold.

The use of a basement dehumidifier for keeping the levels of humidity less than 50% can prevent mildew and mold growth that can protect the quality of indoor air and prevent damage.

Basement dehumidifiers have been specially designed to deal with low temperatures then switch back itself on after a power outage.

Although it is best to remove residual mold spores with the use of an air purifier that has a sealed HEPA filter for capturing spores and carbon filter for absorbing the odor, a basement dehumidifier still addresses the main cause of the problem, which is none other than excessive moisture.

Do You Need a Basement Dehumidifier? Watch Out for These Signs

High levels of moisture are not that easy to detect all the time.

Knowing the specific signs you have to watch out for can help you determine if you really need to install a basement dehumidifier for addressing moisture concerns in this part of your house.

Some of the most common signs that a basement dehumidifier can come in handy are the following:

• The walls feel damp every time you touch them.
• There is visible mold growth on walls, ceilings, floors, as well as other surfaces.
• There is an odor of mustiness or mold in your basement.
• The surfaces have condensation.
• There are water spots on the basement floors that indicate that moisture rises through the foundation.
• The items stored in your basement smell mildew or mold or have visible mold growth.

Buying a Basement Dehumidifier

Basements need different dehumidification systems than those used in the main house. For effective removal of moisture, you should install a dehumidifier that has been specially designed for basement environments.

Temperature Requirements

The usual whole-house dehumidifiers only have the best level of effectiveness when they operate at indoor temperatures more than 65 degrees.

Normally, basements are cooler compared to the upper areas of a house since these are below ground.

The earth that surrounds your basement insulates the space with the surrounding ground remaining cool at 55 degrees all year round.

At such lower temperatures, the usual whole-home dehumidifiers are not that effective for removing moisture.

A basement or low-temperature dehumidifier has been designed to work in a more efficient way at temperatures lower than 65 degrees.

These are specialized units that provide better performance in cool and damp environments to guarantee effective moisture removal in your basement.

Energy Concerns

Basement dehumidifiers operate with the use of 110/120-volt 60-cycle AC so the outlets in your home must be able to power it.

Since the large basement dehumidifiers can dry your basement much faster than their smaller counterparts, the use of a bigger dehumidifier can help you save money on your energy costs.

Drainage System

With your basement dehumidifier drying your basement, the gathered water must go somewhere.

Even though dehumidifiers can hold as much as 135 pints of water, this can turn into a problem fast if you don’t tend to it on a regular basis.

When the basement dehumidifier is full, it won’t be able to function properly. You have to check and empty it as frequent as possible.

On the other hand, the basement dehumidifier can also empty the water to a drain or sink.

When you use such an approach, see to it that the hose is out of the way so that you don’t trip on it and injure yourself as a result.

Cleaning

Debris and dust can form in the coils. You have to clean these coils on a regular basis for optimal performance.

If you are worried about your family’s health, particularly those who have allergies, or water damage in the basement, a basement dehumidifier can be of great help.