What size dehumidifier for crawl space?

Having a crawl space in your home can be beneficial for cleanliness and storage, but it can also come with some challenges. Excess moisture levels in the air can cause serious problems such as mold growth or rotting wood – but these issues are easily preventable by using the right size dehumidifier! What size dehumidifier for crawl space? Choosing the right dehumidifier requires understanding of how to determine what size is necessary; that’s why we’ve put together this blog post as a comprehensive guide into selecting a proper-sized dehumidifier for your crawl space. Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about sizing and finding the perfect product so you can maintain a healthy atmosphere in your home.

Why do you need a crawl space dehumidifier?

Before diving into the specifics of sizing, it’s important to understand why having a dehumidifier in your crawl space is essential. As mentioned earlier, excess moisture levels can lead to mold growth and damage to wood structures but that’s not all. High humidity in your crawl space can also attract pests like termites and cockroaches, as well as cause musty odors and potential health hazards. Additionally, moisture in your crawl space can seep into the rest of your home, leading to dampness and potential water damage. Investing in a dehumidifier for your crawl space can prevent all of these issues and improve the overall air quality in your home.

See More: How to install dehumidifier in your crawl space?

Considerations for choosing the right size crawl space dehumidifier

When it comes to choosing the right size dehumidifier for your crawl space, there are a few key factors to consider:

• Crawl Space Size: The first step is to measure the square footage of your crawl space. This will give you an idea of how much area needs to be dehumidified.
• Moisture Level: Do you live in a particularly humid climate? Is your crawl space prone to flooding or water leakage? These factors will determine the amount of moisture that needs to be removed from the air.
• Type of Dehumidifier: There are two main types of dehumidifiers for crawl spaces: portable and whole-house. Portable dehumidifiers are smaller and can be moved around, while whole-house dehumidifiers are connected to your HVAC system and cover a larger area.

See more: Benefits of crawl space dehumidifiers

Calculating the necessary dehumidifier size

Once you have all of the above factors in mind, you can use a simple formula to determine the necessary dehumidifier size for your crawl space. The standard calculation is: Crawl Space Square Footage x Moisture Level / 1,000 = Pints Per Day (PPD)

For example, if you have a 1,000 square foot crawl space with moderate moisture levels, the calculation would be: 1,000 sq ft x 10 pints / 1,000 = 10 PPD This means you would need a dehumidifier that can remove at least 10 pints of water per day.

How are spaces categorized?

Crawl spaces are typically categorized into small, medium, and large sizes. Here’s a general guideline for each category based on the square footage:

• Loosely Sealed: For properties under 1,500 sq ft, this category includes spaces with some air leakage due to less comprehensive sealing. Consider additional insulation and sealing options to enhance energy efficiency and comfort.
• Moderately Sealed: This category applies to properties between 1,500 and 2,999 sq ft. These well-sealed spaces strike a good balance between energy efficiency and ventilation. However, it’s recommended to assess and improve sealing measures to optimize energy consumption and thermal comfort.t.
• Tightly Sealed: Ideal for properties over 3,000 sq ft, this category includes spaces with effective sealing to enhance energy efficiency. While this promotes energy savings, proper ventilation is crucial for maintaining indoor air quality and preventing moisture-related issues.

Check out this handy chart for sizing crawl space and basement dehumidifiers

Building Conditions	70-80 pints	75-100 pints	100-155 pints
Loosely Sealed	up to 1,800 sq.ft.	up to 2,200 sq.ft.	up to 3,600 sq.ft.
Moderately Sealed	up to 2,200 sq.ft.	up to 2,600 sq.ft.	up to 4,000 sq.ft.
Tightly Sealed	up to 2,600 sq.ft.	up to 3,000 sq.ft.	up to 4,400 sq.ft.

Humidity Level Recommendations

Depending on your location, the recommended humidity level for a crawl space can vary. In general, it’s best to keep humidity levels between 50-60% to prevent mold growth and other issues. If you live in a particularly humid area, you may need to aim for a lower humidity level.

Here’s a table of dehumidifier sizes for different humidity levels and areas, helping you make a clearer choice:

Humidity Levels/Surface Area	300 Square Feet	800 Square Feet	800 Square Feet	1,200 Square Feet	1,500 Square Feet
50%-60%	20 Pint	30 Pint	40 Pint	50 Pint	60 Pint
60%-70%	30 Pint	45 Pint	60 Pint	70 Pint	80 Pint
70%-80%	45 Pint	50 Pint	65 Pint	80 Pint	90 Pint
80%-90%(or 100%)	45 Pint	60 Pint	70 Pint	90 Pint	100 Pint

Conclusion

In conclusion, it’s important to select the right size dehumidifier for your crawl space in order to maintain a healthy atmosphere in your home and prevent mold growth or rotting wood. The key to selecting an appropriate size is understanding the factors that go into the equation; this includes the cubic footage of the space, relative humidity, and temperature. Having this knowledge will help you choose a product that works best for your needs. We hope this blog post has been comprehensive and helpful in guiding you through the process of finding the perfect dehumidifier for your crawl space! If you have any questions or comments regarding dehumidifiers or our blog post content, please leave us a comment – we would love to hear from you!