Whole House Dehumidifier: Will it Work for My Property?

Home dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air in your living space. These useful appliances help maintain consistent indoor relative humidity, therefore keeping your property drier, more comfortable, healthier, and help to prevent structural damage caused by mold.

If high indoor humidity is a concern in your property, dehumidification will help control the moisture and prevent indoor mold growth. However, before purchasing a whole house dehumidifier for your property, there are six important factors to consider so you will make the right decision.

6 Factors to Consider Before Installing a

Whole House Dehumidifier

COST
INSTALLATION
EFFICIENCY
HVAC INDEPENDENT
TYPE OF PROPERTY
NOISE

1. COST

Whole-house dehumidifiers range in price from about $1,000 – $3,000 without installation. The cost of installing a whole house dehumidifier is typically as expensive as the unit itself, since technicians must integrate into the return ductwork of an HVAC system. The average installation price tag is about $2,000,¹ so the total cost of a whole-house dehumidifier can range from $3,000 to over $5,000 depending on the cost of labor and work needed for installation.

2. INSTALLATION

The installation process of a whole house dehumidifier can be very technical. For this reason, it is required that a licensed HVAC contractor completes the work to ensure proper function. In many cases, the warranty will be voided if installation is not completed by a professional.

3. EFFICIENCY

Home dehumidifier systems are often categorized by their water removal per day, also known as the Water Removal Capacity, and is measured in pints. A dehumidification unit’s capacity is affected by two things: the size of the space and the amount of moisture in the air (saturation). Spaces less than 2,000 sq. ft. typically need a unit with a removal capacity from 20-30 pints per day. When the same size space is fully saturated with relative indoor humidity ranging from 90-100% humidity, the space may need 30-50 pints removed daily.² On average, a whole-house dehumidifier can remove up to 98 pints of water per day. That’s a lot of water, and it may sound, great but is it necessary? On average, a family of four only adds 25 pints of moisture to the air each day. An oversized dehumidification system is an inefficient and costly way to remove moisture.

The unit’s capacity is affected by two things: the size of the space and the amount of moisture in the air (saturation).

4. HVAC INDEPENDENT

Whole house dehumidifiers work in conjunction with HVAC systems, drawing air through the return ductwork, to remove moisture. Unfortunately, whole house dehumidifiers are not independent of HVAC systems and only dehumidify while HVAC system is operating. Can these units remove excess moisture if they aren’t running? No. Whole house dehumidifiers depend on the HVAC to be running to remove moisture, and no one wants to pay for their HVAC to run all the time. Dehumidifier systems for houses should compliment cooling and heating systems; they should not be dependent on them. An independent dehumidifier that automatically removes moisture to keep relative humidity below 60% is essential for apartments and smaller spaces. The key to hands-free moisture removal and mold prevention is an independent system not reliant on tenant’s temperature preferences or HVAC operation.

5. TYPE OF PROPERTY

Whole house dehumidifiers are designed to dehumidify large spaces and single-family homes. Generally, they are capable of removing moisture in spaces from 2,500 to 4,000 sq. ft.³ Apartments tend to be much smaller, averaging 1,015 sq. ft.⁴, which is a fraction of the recommended square footage to justify the use of a whole house unit. Whole house dehumidifiers are oversized and inefficient for apartments.

6. NOISE

The noise that an appliance makes is often an afterthought but can be a huge nuisance. Whole house systems, on average, have a noise level of 55 Decibels (dBA), due to their size, installation, and fan speed. An example of an appliance that makes 50 dBA would be a refrigerator, an example of 60 dBA would be an air conditioner⁵; a whole house dehumidifier creates a noise ranging somewhere between the two appliances.

Results that Matter

Supplemental dehumidification is an easy solution to aid in mold prevention

Understanding how the size of space, type of property, and level of dehumidification needed helps determine the best dehumidification system for your property. Whole house dehumidifiers can control moisture related issues in larger spaces, but only in conjunction with HVAC systems while they are running. For smaller spaces such as apartments, it is important to have a reliable and independent system to maintain consistent indoor relative humidity.

Independent Dehumidification System

The benefits of an independent dehumidification system are valuable in maintaining a healthy humidity level to help prevent mold and protect your property.

The tankless IW25-4 IN Wall/ ON Wall dehumidifier removes up to 29 pints of moisture per day in spaces up to 1,500 square feet. The tamper-proof dehumidifier’s controls are hidden behind the front cover for a hands-free system, completely independent of the HVAC system. Set the desired relative humidity and attach the front cover, making adjustments by occupants unreachable. The quiet and energy efficient IW25-4 is an independent dehumidifier system specifically designed for multifamily housing to help prevent mold before it starts to grow. The tankless design requires little maintenance, and wall installation keeps it out of the way.