What size dehumidifier works for an 800-square foot basement?

While manufacturers such as Sylvane recommend a 50- to 70-pint dehumidifier for a 700- to 1,000-square-foot room, Energy Star recommends a much smaller unit that removes 14- to 23-pints from 1,000 square feet. Manufacturers rate dehumidifiers based on pints of water they remove in 24 hours.

The homeowner should consider the humidity level in the room before treatment when selecting the unit size. Very damp rooms with standing water or rooms where laundry hangs to dry require larger units than those where the air is slightly damp. The unit's energy factor compares the number of pints of water it removes per kilowatt of electricity it uses.