A dehumidifier helps you reduce the humidity in a room or space, but where is the best place to put dehumidifier? If you’re not sure about the best place to put a dehumidifier, our article will help you know what’s important to think about before finally deciding on the perfect spot no matter if you’re using a dehumidifier in your bathroom, basement, garage or crawl space!
Using a dehumidifier is not just a matter of plugging it in and switching it on! The placement of the dehumidifier is very important, to get the most out of what the dehumidifier does but also to prevent any potential problems occurring.
Things like air flow, direct heat, direct cooling and condensation need to be considered as well as ease of emptying the dehumidifier bucket or using a drain hose.
Where is the best place to put dehumidifier?
Find a spot that has good air flow
A dehumidifier should firstly be placed in a space that allows for air flow around the appliance. If you place your dehumidifier between furniture or right up against a wall, this blocks air flow and can lead to your dehumidifier coils being covered in ice and stop working.
This is similar to a refrigerator- there is usually a small amount of space around the area of a refrigerator for this same reason. Air flow is important for the coils in a dehumidifier.
If you have a two story home, the top floor will be more humid as hot air rises, so placing your dehumidifier upstairs in a spot with good air flow is ideal. Somewhere near the stairs, but out of the way of foot traffic, would work well.
Find a spot near a power outlet
Choose a space that also has a power point nearby so that you can easily plug the dehumidifier and start using it. If you don’t have a suitable location that’s also close to a power outlet, you may need an extension cord.
Find a spot that is not too hot or too cold
Dehumidifiers have built-in humidity controls or sensors which measure the humidity level in a room so that the dehumidifier is in operation when it is most needed. For this reason, a dehumidifier should not be placed directly in sunlight or near anything hot otherwise this could give an inflated humidity reading.
Placing it in a neutral area of a room allows the humidity sensor to operate correctly and give a more accurate room reading.
Similarly, a dehumidifier should not be placed in a part of a room where the temperature is likely to drop below 65 degrees Fahrenheit. This is because temperatures below this cause the coils in a dehumidifier to freeze up and be covered in ice.
If you purchase a dehumidifier that has castor wheels, it will be easier for you to move the dehumidifier around a room if you need to find a new spot throughout the seasons.
A spot that makes it easy to empty the dehumidifier
If you’re using a drain hose to continuously drain the dehumidifier, you need to have a hose that is long enough but also able to reach where it is you want to dispose of the water. Not too far from a door would be ideal for this.
If you’re manually emptying a dehumidifier’s water tank, you need to remove it and carry it to where you want to empty the water. If you have the dehumidifier in an awkward location, it could be more difficult for you to reach and carry the tank.
Look for a dust-free place
A dirty, dusty location could mean more dirt and dust inside your dehumidifier, which could lead to the coils and other parts of the dehumidifier becoming damaged. By reducing the amount of dust the dehumidifier is exposed to, you won’t have a hard time cleaning it and keeping it clean.
Child safety considerations
Another important consideration when deciding on where to put a dehumidifier is whether you have children in your home. Kids often touch appliances, which can lead to appliance failure or even injury to the child. Make sure that the appliance is in a place that is out of reach of young children, and explain to your older kids why they should not touch the dehumidifier.
One final word
Putting some thought into where you put your dehumidifier will help it function better and last longer, while also performing to its maximum.
Think about where to place your dehumidifier and what would work best for the room, considering the points we have covered in this article.
