Dehumidifier Coverage Area

The coverage area for a dehumidifier is based on how many cubic feet or cubic meters can be adequately covered. Cubic measurements are used to measure the volume of a room accurately. Almost all of the 70 pint dehumidifiers we tested covered an area of up to 4500 cubic feet.

You must know how large the area you want covered is before committing to a dehumidifier. If you go too small, the unit will be unable to remove all of the moisture from the room effectively. It is better to get a dehumidifier that covers a larger area that you need than to get one that is too small for the place you want to use it in.

“...cubic measurements take all three dimensions into consideration. This will tell you the volume of a given area…”

- Paul Bianchina, Contractor/Author [1]

To calculate the volume of the room where you will use your dehumidifier, you can use the formula length x width x height. Compare the number you come up with to the coverage area listed on the dehumidifier to make sure you are getting the right choice for your needs.

70 Pint Built-In Pump

There are multiple ways that dehumidifiers can drain water. Traditionally, smaller units will need to be emptied manually and lack any sort of drainage port. On the larger end, 70 pint units come with a drainage port that allows them to operate without the need to empty when the tank is full.

In cheaper models, these drainage ports use gravity to force the water down and out a tube, usually a garden house. With dehumidifiers used in high moisture environments, this is sometimes not enough, and a built-in pump is used to force the water out continually.

The built-in pump allows for water to be pushed out vertically so that the dehumidifier can be placed lower than the drain. It also ensures that there are no disruptions in draining so that the reservoir doesn’t fill up, and the auto-shutoff doesn’t activate, causing delays in moisture removal.

Water Tank Capacity

The water tank capacity will determine how much excess moisture can be pulled from the air before the unit shuts off and needs to be emptied. The water reservoir is usually measured in pints or gallons on a 70 pint dehumidifier. Smaller units will measure water tank capacity by ounces.

Dehumidifiers used with a self drain hose will bypass the water tank making the capacity less important. But, if you can’t use the drain tube because the unit doesn’t have a pump, the size becomes more important. Basically, the larger the water tank, the less frequently you will need to empty it.

Larger water containers will also allow the dehumidifier to pull excess moisture from the air as it can run longer. The more frequently your dehumidifier shuts off due to the reservoir being full, the less it will be able to pump moisture from the air. Of all the 70 pint dehumidifier units we researched, the average water tank capacity was between 1 and 2 gallons.

Rate of Dehumidification

This number will dictate how much moisture can be pulled from the air in every given time frame. Usually, this is measured in pint. So, for a 70 pint humidifier, you can remove up to 70 pints of moisture per day if the unit is operating in continuous mode.

Just because a dehumidifier can pull a certain amount of moisture from the air each day doesn’t mean it will. Some factors that can impact the rate of dehumidification include having to empty the tank, colder environments where the unit has to defrost, and other factors [2]

The easiest way to calculate the rate you need is by using an external hygrometer. This device will allow you to get a reading of the humidity levels in a room [3]. You can use this reading to understand better how humid the room gets and how much you need a dehumidifier to remove daily.

“The ideal [humidity range] is somewhere around 45-55%. Very high levels of humidity contribute to the growth of mold, funguses, dust mites, and other pests.”

- Erik Hinrichsen, Mechanical Engineer [4]

Energy Consumption Rate

Energy consumption rate, also known as the power consumption rate, is a measurement of how much power an appliance uses during regular operation. This number will determine how much it costs you to use your dehumidifier. This is usually measured by how many watts every device uses in one hour, also known as a kilowatt.

In an ideal world, all of your appliances would be energy efficient and save you money each month. In reality, many household appliances are not energy efficient and can significantly increase your electric bills. Dehumidifiers can easily fall into this category if they are being operated continuously throughout the day.

It’s essential to look for an Energy Star rated or certified dehumidifier. Energy Star rated products are designed to decrease energy consumption so that appliances are both greener and cost-effective [5].

Continuous Drain Option

Larger dehumidifiers, such as 70 pint models, have a drainage port located on the back or side to attach a garden hose. This hose is gravity fed and allows water to bypass the tank and drain directly. The reason for this is so that the dehumidifier can operate continuously without having to shut down for you to empty the water tank manually.

If you need a dehumidifier for heavy moisture removal, such as after flooding or during extreme dampness, this feature is essential. To make using the drain option even more efficient, it's best to have a unit with a pump. The pump allows you to run a hose vertically.

Size and Weight

The size and weight of a dehumidifier will determine how easy it is for you to move and place it. Before deciding how large a humidifier you need, think about where you are going to use it.

Will this be going in a basement or upstairs area? If so, a lighter weight unit will be ideal for making it easier to move up and down. Will you be using this in a living room or other room in full view? You want a slim design easier to place in a corner or under a table out of the way.

During our research of 70 pint dehumidifiers, we found the average eight to be around 30lbs on the lighter end and up to 55lbs for the heaviest units. The average unit weight was around 40lbs. There were no standard dimensions for units, with some being shorter and wider in the frame and others being a few inches taller.

70 Pint Extra Features

There are several additional features that you want to look out for when purchasing a 70 pint dehumidifier. This ranges from comfort settings to safety features, which make using the unit easier and more reliable. One of the best of these extra features is a defrosting option.

When the weather gets too cold, it can cause the water moving through the dehumidifier to turn into ice. This can damage the dehumidifier and may even break it. Look for dehumidifiers that have an auto-defrost option, which will kick in when any ice build-up is detected.

Another helpful feature to look out for is switching between continuous flow and a timer setting or dampness level preset. Constant flow means that the dehumidifier will run all-day without stopping.

Timed settings allow you to have the unit shut off at certain times, similar to a sleep timer on your television. The last option, a humidity preset, lets you set the device based on personal preference.

There are a few safety features you want to pay attention to as well. Always ensure that any dehumidifier you buy has an auto-shutoff if the tank fills up. If you are running it while you are not home, you don’t want the water to spill out of the tank and cause further water damage. An auto-shutoff has a sensor in the reservoir which tells the unit when it is getting too full.

Air filter cleaning sensors are also helpful. This detects when it is time for you to clean the air filter and will let you know. Usually, there will be an LED display light on the panel that lets you know it’s time. Not all dehumidifiers have this feature, so you have to look out for it in the description.

How to Measure Pint Capacity

To measure the right pint capacity for your dehumidifier, you need first to understand how much moisture needs to be removed and how large the space or basement is.

“Dehumidifier capacity is usually measured in pints per 24 hours and is determined by two factors: the size of the space that needs to be dehumidified and the conditions that exist in the space before dehumidification.”

- US Department of Energy [6]

Testing conditions for dehumidifiers are 65 degrees Fahrenheit at 60% humidity [7]. If the area or basement you will be using it in is at or around these conditions, then you can use the standard square footage rating. These are:

Slightly Damp

50% to 60% Humidity

• 300 square feet = 30 pints of moisture
• 500 square feet = 40 to 45 pints of moisture
• 800 square feet = 60 pints of moisture
• 1,200 square feet+ = 70 pints of moisture

For a frame of reference, a slightly damp area or basement is considered to have a somewhat heavy feeling in the air. For moderately damp environments, around 60% to 70% humidity, the pint levels stay the same. Moderately humid environments are considered to have a slightly musty smell.

Very damp environments, humidity levels between 70% and 80%, will need an extra 5 to 10 pints added to each square foot measurement. This is considered to be when the walls and floors have wet spots.

Wet environments, when the dampness levels are between 80% and 100%, will need an extra 10 to 20 pints added to each square footage level beyond the slightly damp measurements. Wet environments are those where there is seepage on the walls and floor and potential mold and mildew build-up.