Basements can be valuable spaces for extra rooms or storage, but it certainly doesn't come easy. Many potential environmental issues can arise if you don't put in the work, whether that's due to the naturally high basement moisture level, an extremely high level of moisture in the upstairs living spaces, a water leak, or a flooding accident. Undoubtedly, these issues reflect poorly on your home's humidity.
If not treated, this can cause structural damage to the whole house or health complications for your family. Still, the basement's indoor air quality doesn't make the dehumidifier's job easy. With that in mind, you may doubt whether a dehumidifier for basements can be enough to help the whole house and moderate its humidity level. Follow along as we settle this once and for all.
The Short Answer
Yes, the right dehumidifier in the basement can help the whole house. "But what is the right dehumidifier?" you might ask. And to that, we say a whole-house dehumidifier, which can reduce the humidity level in your basement and your entire house.
If the humidity is over 80%, that could promote mildew and mold growth. Moisture might seep into the house's foundation, or water leaks might increase its level. Even just an unusually high humidity level inside the main house is reason enough for a damp basement. A dehumidifier can take that 80% down to 50%, preventing structural damage and protecting the indoor air quality.
Why Use a Basement Dehumidifier
In short, you're advised to use a basement dehumidifier to combat the high levels of moisture. If you aren't sure whether the moisture level is too high in your basement or not, you can use a hygrometer to measure it. If that isn't available, these are some of the signs of excess humidity:
- Damp walls
- Visible mold on the wall, floor, ceiling, or any surface
- Condensation-covered surfaces, like doors and windows
- Stale, musty, or moldy odor
- Stuffy air
- Mildew smelling objects in the basement
- Objects with visible mold or mildew growth
- Peeling wallpaper
- Creaky cabinets or floors
- Watermarks on the floor
If you've noticed some of these signs in your house, here are all the ways dehumidification can fix the excess humidity issue and help your home. First and foremost, dehumidifiers reduce the moisture level in your house's atmosphere, which has multiple implications.
You wouldn't have to worry about mildew, mold growth, or dust mite allergens. Moreover, you can rest assured that your house's inner integrity is protected, and your drywall, carpets, wood, and paint are well-preserved. A reduction of moisture also means that insects are less likely to thrive in that atmosphere.
Even in terms of finance, using a dehumidifier is a good idea because you won't have to turn the air conditioning on as much, saving on energy and costs. Overall, a dehumidifier provides you with better air quality.
So far, we've only mentioned reasons to use a dehumidifier. So, let us delve deeper into detail about why you should place that dehumidifier in the basement specifically. Firstly, you should install a dehumidifier on the floor with the lowest temperature, which is more often than not, the basement.
Tip: If you have a multiple stories-house, check to see if the upper-level floor is colder than the basement. If it is, you might want to weigh the advantages of upstairs vs. basement dehumidifiers.
Secondly, it makes sense to place the unit where there's a higher moisture level. We've already established that basements are particularly prone to humidity problems, so a basement dehumidifier will help decrease the humidity level all over the house. Nevertheless, if your laundry room, kitchen, or bathroom is more humid, it'd make sense to install the dehumidifier there.
Thirdly, a less prominent reason people put their units in the basement is based on personal preference. Many people merely prefer to keep their dehumidifiers out of sight, perhaps because it interferes with their living spaces' aesthetics. Aside from that, the previous two reasons suggest that the basement is the best place for dehumidifier installation and the one that makes it the most effective.
Whole-House vs. Portable Dehumidifiers
We've previously mentioned that what you need is a whole-house dehumidifier rather than a regular portable one, and here's why.
As its name entails, a whole-house dehumidifier absorbs the excess moisture in the entire living space from its fixed position. This is due to its fan, which moves more air over the coils. And the more air it pulls, the more moisture it pulls (in less time than portable dehumidifiers). Furthermore, you can outfit the dehumidifier with ducting to enhance the fan's effectiveness.
A portable unit doesn't have the power to provide that coverage. Portable dehumidifiers cover a single room at a time but can be moved from your living room to your basement. You might consider buying a portable dehumidifier and taking turns to place it in different rooms; nonetheless, this isn't effective or recommended if your house has humidity problems.
In addition, whole-house dehumidifiers are bigger and more durable with sturdy materials, such as heavy-duty plastic or stainless steel. However, portable dehumidifiers sit at about waist-high, are made of plastic, and have a removable bucket for collecting water.
Portable dehumidifiers are also less expensive but not suitable long-term investments since they require much maintenance and their parts aren't readily available.
FAQs About Basement Dehumidifiers
Should You Run a Dehumidifier in the Basement All the Time?
No, it'd be best if you only did so in the winter, provided that the basement has a high relative humidity (more than 50%) because that runs the risks of mold growth and other moisture problems.
Where in the Basement Should I Place the Dehumidifier?
Generally, you should place a dehumidifier in the basement where you'd place it anywhere else. Allow us to elaborate on the correct dehumidifier placement. It should be out of the way if for nothing but convenience. Also, it should be placed where there's access to an electrical source but not too close to it to prevent electric shocks.
And the dehumidifier is best put away from lint, dust, and other particles so that you're not straining it. Last but not least, it should be away from walls, furniture pieces, and other obstructing surfaces.
Are Whole-House Dehumidifiers Worth It?
Whole-house dehumidifiers are worth the money because they can elevate the overall indoor air quality, providing you with a more comfortable household and eliminating moisture risks altogether. Not to mention, they'll help you save on energy costs in the long run.
How Often Should You Dehumidify a Room?
It'd be best if you run your dehumidifier when the humidity level exceeds 50%, as it helps absorb the moisture and maintain a suitable temperature. Also, if you operate your dehumidifier regularly, it'll be more fresh and clean all year long.
Do I Need a Dehumidifier in Every Room?
Naturally, a portable dehumidifier is more effective in the room it's placed in. However, it can operate on multiple rooms if open doorways connect them with a very open floor plan. If not, you'll need to place dehumidifiers in the humid rooms at least. A whole-house dehumidifier makes it so you only need one unit for the entire household.
Final Thoughts
All in all, the biggest takeaway from this article should be that dehumidifiers can be enough to work your entire home if they're whole-house dehumidifiers, but not so much if they're portable dehumidifiers. The latter can be moved from one room to the next, but if the house is particularly humid, they won't be effective.
And you can determine whether your house is unusually humid by considering if any of the signs mentioned above apply to your home. If so, placing a whole-house dehumidifier in your basement could be a sensible choice because the basement is more prone to humidity issues.
A whole-house dehumidifier can reduce the over 80% humidity level to 50% all over your house, saving your house's interior structure, paint, wood, wallpaper, and even your family's health.
