Is your dehumidifier capturing so much moisture that it is filling its water receptacle on a daily basis?
Dehumidifiers, especially those that have recently begun to operate in a space, can soak up a remarkable volume of water in a short period of time.
In a room with a temperature of 80 degrees and a relative humidity (RH) of 60 percent, an industrial dehumidifier can process as much as 140 pints of water in a 24-hour period.
Since a dehumidifier automatically shuts down when the receptacle capacity is reached, you can save yourself a great deal of time and increase your dehumidifier’s capacity by installing a hose that will allow the collected moisture to exit the unit into a sump pump or storm drain.
Attention should be given to the placement of your unit. It should be positioned in proximity to a sump pump or drain and the hose should be placed outside of walkways to avoid a tripping hazard.
Most dehumidifiers will remove between 30 and 70 pints of water per day.
It’s probable that a newly installed dehumidifier will run constantly, especially in excessively humid weather conditions. But once the space reaches the desired RH level – a process that may take up to two weeks – it will slow down and operate in cycles.
Comfort levels differ among individuals but most people find an RH between 40 and 60 percent to be desirable. An RH above 60 percent may cause condensation, especially on windows, and promote the growth of mold and fungi. An RH below 40 percent can promote the production of static electricity, contribute to dehydration, and cause dry skin.
For a dehumidifier to operate properly, care should be given to making sure that all windows in doors in the affected space are closed. If you wish to dehumidify multiple floors then separate models should be used on each level.