Should I Put My Dehumidifier Upstairs or Downstairs? | When choosing where to place your dehumidifier in your home, deciding whether it should go upstairs or downstairs can be difficult.
The upstairs and downstair Both locations have pros and cons that should be considered based on your home’s unique features and humidity issues. That’s why you must choose a dehumidifier based on dehumidifier performance and efficiency.
This article will explore the factors to weigh when determining the best place to put the dehumidifier.
Must Read: Do I use a humidifier or dehumidifier for the basement?
Contents
Should I Put My Dehumidifier Upstairs or Downstairs?
Compare: Upstairs vs Downstairs
Humidity Levels
One of the biggest factors is where the humidity levels are highest in your home- upstairs or downstairs. Generally speaking:
Basements and lower levels tend to have higher humidity than the first, second floor, or upper floors due to being partially underground. Moisture can seep through walls and floors more easily on lower levels.
Attics and top floors are closer to the roofline, where humidity and moisture can accumulate.
Hot air rises, so humid air tends to collect at higher elevations in a home. Steam from showers and boiling pots also rises upwards.
2 story homes often have higher humidity upstairs since moist air doesn’t drain downward as easily as it does upward.
So, humidity issues are more prominent upstairs rather than down for many one- or 2 story homes.
This would indicate placing the dehumidifier on the upper level. However, there are exceptions, so measuring humidity levels room-by-room is important.
Accessibility and Convenience
Ease of access is another key factor. Consider how easy or difficult it may be to:
Refill or empty the water collection tank – The dehumidifier near a sink or outdoor drain simplifies routine maintenance.
Monitor and control the dehumidifier – Choosing a central, frequently trafficked location allows for convenient adjustments and checking humidity readings.
Move the unit between rooms – Portability is important if humidity issues shift between home areas throughout the seasons.
In general, placing the dehumidifier on the main living floor where it’s in view and within easy reach is most practical from an operational standpoint.
However, accessibility must be balanced with targeting the source of excess moisture.
Ventilation and Airflow
The airflow and ventilation around the dehumidifier location is crucial. It needs adequate space on all sides to draw in humid air effectively and vent out the dried air. Consider these factors:
- Avoid cramped, enclosed spaces where stale air will circulate rather than be exchanged.
- Allow at least a few inches of clearance from walls or furniture for optimal intake and output.
- Ensure ceiling height and overhead obstructions don’t interfere with discharged air rising upwards.
- Choose an open, central area near ductwork or return vents if using central air to help distribute the dry air.
While an easily accessible main floor may provide advantages, poor ventilation could compromise the machine’s moisture removal abilities. Prioritizing good airflow trumps convenient location.
Distance From Humidity Source
Another key point is placing the dehumidifier as close as reasonably possible to the home’s humidity source. Some common culprits include:
- Bathrooms or laundry rooms
- Basement or crawl space access points
- Spots where exterior wall meets floor
- Near the roofline on upper levels
- Areas under windows without good seals
- For targeted moisture removal, locating the dehumidifier within the same room or immediate vicinity as the excessive wetness allows it to combat the problem at its source most efficiently.
- However, ventilation and capacity must still support the unit’s placement.
Whole house and Room Layout
The layout and design of the spaces in question should also factor into the decision. Consider unique attributes like:
- Room sizes and moisture distribution capabilities based on doors/vents
- Obstructions that may isolate areas of a home
- Placement of HVAC vents and ductwork
- Number of separate HVAC zones
For example, an upstairs location may work better if the primary source is a damp crawlspace, but HVAC vents don’t reach the basement. Separating a multi-story home into zones may require dehumidifiers on multiple levels.
For 2 story house, often has higher humidity upstairs since moist air doesn’t drain downward as easily as it does upward. considering overall airflow patterns and potential moisture concentration of each floor put your dehumidifier in 2 story house.
Budget and Unit Capacity
Higher-capacity dehumidifiers are often larger, heavier, and more expensive. They also consume more energy.
So, the unit’s size and maximum moisture removal rate influence optimal placement within a reasonable distance of the humidity source.
Locate it centrally to impact as much of the home as the machine’s capacity allows.
However, placing a lower-capacity dehumidifier closer to the specific problem area may outperform a higher-capacity unit in a less accessible or remote spot.
Also Read: What Size Dehumidifier Do I Need [Complete Gide]
Conclusion
While downstream and upstairs placements are often logical defaults, assessing your individual home’s unique moisture dynamics and functional layout is important for maximum effectiveness.
Measuring humidity levels room-to-room and understanding patterns of air movement will reveal the true source of wetness.
Choosing a dehumidifier location close to problem areas while maintaining adequate ventilation, easy access, and appropriate unit sizing will yield the best results.
With a systematic evaluation of upstairs vs downstairs pros and cons, you can confidently select an optimal spot to properly control humidity throughout your home.