Humidity problems in the house should not be taken lightly. They cause quite a bit of damage, especially to the health of the occupants. Many diseases can be attributed to a high humidity level in the basement or bathroom.
Even worse, this phenomenon leads to the gradual deterioration of building materials such as baked-on paint galvanized steel or wooden structures. Additionally, it causes the appearance of mold on the walls or ceiling.
Due to poor ventilation, lack of waterproofing, or infiltration of rainwater, the basement is one of the areas most affected by humidity problems. To solve this issue, it is essential to use a device called the basement dehumidifier. To learn more about the device, this article provides important details to remember.
📋 The essentials to remember: Personally, I consider a dehumidifier to be the priority investment to transform a healthy basement into a storage space or living area. For real effectiveness in the basement, you should aim for a humidity level between 50% and 60% to prevent the proliferation of saltpeter and mold. I recommend choosing a model with continuous drainage to avoid the chore of emptying the reservoir, which is often inconvenient in a hard-to-access basement.
What exactly is a basement dehumidifier?
As its name clearly suggests, this device is used to reduce or remove humidity from the air in a basement. It is very useful for protecting baked-on paint galvanized steel and all building elements against moisture.
However, even if you use the best basement dehumidifiers, their use alone is not enough to definitively solve the humidity problem on the ceiling or wall. They must be accompanied by other strict measures to maintain the ideal basement humidity level and to dehumidify the basement once and for all.
🌍 Did you know? Humid air is much more difficult and costly to heat than dry air. By installing a dehumidifier in a heated basement, you can reduce your energy consumption by 10% because your radiators will be much more efficient at warming a healthy atmosphere.
Let us recall that there are several types of devices to dry out a damp wine cellar. First, there are moisture absorbers, including disposable and rechargeable models. They operate on the same principle, but the latter can be recharged.
Compared to basement dehumidifiers, their effectiveness seems limited. The electric dehumidifier, on the other hand, comes in two versions: absorption and condensation.
🗣️ My experience: In 2024, I installed a standard compressor dehumidifier in an unheated basement where the temperature dropped below 10°C in winter. The device ran but hardly collected any water because it kept frosting up. The lesson learned is crucial: for a cold basement, favor a “desiccant” model (with silica gel), which is much more efficient at low temperatures, even if it consumes a bit more electricity.
The best dehumidifiers for cellars on the market often come in two forms, including the portable dehumidifier and the wall-mounted model. Regardless of your choice, it is essential to consider the device’s capacity according to the volume of your wine cellar to enjoy a healthy indoor climate.
What is the ideal capacity of a dehumidifier for a cellar of [X] square meters?
If you are struggling to choose a professional dehumidifier for a wine cellar, it remains important to consider the size of the room to be dried. In general, a classic cellar measures 50 to 70 cm wide, 80 to 150 cm high, and 70 cm deep. A professional portable dehumidifier with a capacity of 20 to 30 liters is sufficient to dehumidify a cellar of medium size.
In this case, you must take into account the surface area as well as the cellar humidity rate to properly choose the dehumidification capacity of the device. If your bathroom cellar is slightly humid and small in size, a low-capacity cellar dehumidifier air dryer will do the job. Practical, this device does not clutter the room.
Conversely, if your wine cellar is very humid and also spacious, you need a professional portable dehumidifier that is efficient or a large model. Otherwise, the device will not be able to dry the air in the room. Thus, you cannot benefit from a healthy indoor climate.
⚠️ Warning: A common mistake is to leave windows or vents wide open while the device is running. You risk trying to “dehumidify the whole neighborhood,” which will make the device run at full capacity without ever reaching your set point, while causing your electricity bill to skyrocket.
Therefore, to find the best dehumidifiers for cellars, it is inevitable to accurately calculate the humidity rate inside the room. To do this, a hygrometer is the useful device that helps you obtain precise data. You should not wait for the formation of mold stains on the windows to make this decision. Remember to measure the cellar humidity rate from time to time to prevent unpleasant surprises.
| Cellar surface | Extraction capacity | Recommended type | Ideal use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 20 m² | 10 to 12 L / day | Compact compressor | Wine cellar / Pantry |
| 20 to 40 m² | 16 to 20 L / day | Compressor or Gel | Archive storage / Tools |
| More than 50 m² | 30 L / day and up | Semi-professional | Large laundry room / Workshop |
| Cold cellar (< 12°C) | Any surface | Desiccant (Silica) | Winter storage / Raw basement |
Which type of dehumidifier is best suited for a cellar: condensation or absorption dehumidifier?
Recently, you may notice that the galvanized steel with baked paint is gradually rotting. The wallpaper is peeling off and the wooden elements are decaying. All these signs warn you of humidity problems. If they appear in your cellar, the best remedy for a healthy indoor climate is to use an appropriate device. You have the choice between two types of cellar dehumidifiers.
The first concerns the condensation model. This one uses a compressor to cool the metal coils. This component also liquefies the water vapor. The resulting liquid is drained through a drainage pipe or collected in a tray. Generally, condensation cellar dehumidifiers remain effective in a room with moderate temperature.
For the second model, you have an adsorption cellar dehumidifier or absorption type. To dry the air in a wine cellar, it can attract moisture through hygroscopic substances. Desiccants such as silica gel can also be used. This model properly fulfills its roles even in an environment with very low temperatures. If the cellar humidity level is very high, it will suit you perfectly.
💡 Practical tip: In a cellar, the air is often dustier. Remember to vacuum the device’s air filter every two weeks. A clogged filter reduces extraction performance by 30% and can cause long-term motor overheating.
What criteria should be considered when choosing a cellar dehumidifier?
If you are looking for the best cellar dehumidifier equipment, a few parameters must be taken into account:
The size of the cellar is the first element to consider. You can choose a particular dehumidifier based on its capacity to cover the entire area. In most cases, cellar dehumidifiers are classified according to the volume of the cellar they can treat.
It is equally important to consider the current cellar humidity level. Whether it is a professional portable dehumidifier or a classic model, each version is designed to dry the air within specific humidity ranges. Take the time to check the ambient temperature of your cellar. If it is below 15 °C, favor an absorption cellar dehumidifier. A condensation device is not suitable for this condition.
The size of the device’s water tank can also influence your choice. This container is used to collect the water from the already filtered air. If it is small, you will have to empty it several times. The best cellar dehumidifiers have an external hose making them autonomous.
Also consider studying the ease of use of the cellar drying dehumidifier. Although there are several models on the market, it is recommended to choose an ergonomic dehumidifier. It features a design that is both lightweight and compact, simplifying its assembly and transport, thanks to integrated wheels or handles.
You can also choose a model equipped with an intuitive and clear control panel. It facilitates settings such as the operating mode and humidity adjustment.
🌟 The advantages (Electric)
- Massive water extraction (up to 30L/day)
- Precise humidity level adjustment
- Air filtration and purification
🔍 Reserves (Chemical)
- Very limited capacity (a few ml/day)
- Long-term cost of refills
- Effective only on small closets
How to maintain a dehumidifier to ensure its proper functioning in a cellar?
Professional mobile dehumidifier, Longhi Aria Dry Pump dehumidifier or wall-mounted dehumidifier for wine cellar, any air dryer requires frequent maintenance. If you want to use it for a very long time, be sure to take care of it properly.
To do this properly, it is recommended to regularly empty the tank. The frequency depends on the cellar humidity level and the tank capacity. If the room is too humid, it is useful to empty the tank several times, even daily.
Please also clean the tank every month. You can use dishwashing liquid and hot water to remove mineral deposits as well as all residues. If you notice a persistent odor, mix water with white vinegar. This solution not only disinfects the tank but also neutralizes odors. The goal is to improve air quality and maintain a healthy indoor climate.
For your cellar dehumidifier to work smoothly, also avoid neglecting filter maintenance. Ideally, you can clean it every 20 days. Following the manufacturer’s instructions in the manual, gently remove it and clean it with a neutral pH detergent. After rinsing with clear water and, of course, after drying, you can put it back in place.
What are acceptable noise levels for a dehumidifier intended for a cellar?
There are several reasons explaining the noise of this device. In most cases, the quality of construction explains this situation. It is not surprising that this mostly affects low-cost models.
The majority of condensation cellar dehumidifiers are noisy. It is therefore preferable to opt for absorption dehumidifiers. When the components of the equipment wear out, they generally create vibration.
In any case, today’s versions no longer encounter this kind of problem. Many are the best silent cellar dehumidifiers. Their noise level is about 50 decibels. If your cellar includes a living space or is located near living areas, it is recommended to choose this model.
On average, cellar dehumidifiers generate about 55 decibels. However, it is possible to find a louder model approaching 70 decibels. To make the right choice, take the time to inquire about the noise level of the device.
Can a dehumidifier operate continuously in a humid cellar, or should rest periods be planned?
You can choose its usage time according to your needs. Moreover, this can vary depending on many factors. Often, when the room feels too humid, you want to turn on the equipment for several hours to improve the healthy indoor climate.
This may seem unnecessary when you equip yourself with a professional mobile dehumidifier. Thanks to its performance, it does not require much time to stabilize the humidity level in the cellar.
Similarly, when the humidity is high and the cellar temperature is too low, it requires the dehumidifier to run longer. Please use a hygrometer to know the precise humidity level in the cellar.
Once you reach the ideal percentage, that is between 40% and 55%, you can turn off your cellar dehumidifier. When the humidity level is exceeded, you just have to turn it back on.
How to determine if a dehumidifier is effective enough to keep a cellar dry?
If you consider all the selection criteria we detailed above, you have a good chance of finding an effective cellar dehumidifier. If you have doubts, you can use a device called a hygrometer. It is designed to measure the degree of humidity in the air in the room.
Before using your air dryer, do not hesitate to measure the humidity level in the cellar. After its use, take the hygrometer again. If the humidity level becomes normal, the device is therefore very effective. Otherwise, consider increasing its power level to treat the damp cellar.
Like any other electrical equipment, the best cellar dehumidifiers are often expensive. This price is generally a guarantee of quality and performance. If you consider choosing a low-end model that is sometimes cheaper, its effectiveness may seem uncertain.
What are the average energy costs associated with using a dehumidifier in a cellar?
Indeed, the use of a cellar dehumidifier is extremely necessary for humidity problems. However, it should be known that it also consumes energy, especially the electric dehumidifier for wine cellars.
It should be noted that not all cellar dehumidifiers necessarily have the same power. Some consequently consume much more than others. Expressed in kW, its energy consumption is generally displayed in the manual. It is advisable to check it before opting for a particular dehumidifier.
This device consumes on average between 0.3 and 0.5 kiloWatts/hour, that is 290 to 300 Watts/hour. In 2019, the price of kWh is 0.18 cents in France. If you use an electric dehumidifier for 6 hours a day, over 30 days or one month, it will cost you approximately 8 to 15 euros per month. This amount is of course variable since you are not obliged to use it every day.
How to optimize the performance of a cellar dehumidifier according to local climatic conditions?
It remains quite feasible to improve its performance by performing maintenance from time to time. If you regularly empty its tank and clean its filters, it is able to stabilize the humidity level in the cellar. Its maintenance also helps to extend its lifespan.
Other than that, you will optimize the efficiency of your portable or wall-mounted dehumidifier with proper settings. Take into account all the manufacturer’s recommendations to ensure its normal operation. Choose the best humidity level inside the room. With the professional dehumidifier for cellars, this helps prevent the development of mold and dust mites.
The placement of the device is also crucial for effectively dehumidifying a cellar. When installing it, leave enough space all around to facilitate air circulation. Avoid blocking its air vents with furniture. If every user strictly follows all these tips, portable or wall-mounted dehumidifiers offer better performance.
Estimez le prix d’un déshumidificateur adapté à vos besoins.
Modéré (60-70%) Important (70-85%) Saturation / Salpêtre (+85%)What are the risks of using an unsuitable or undersized cellar dehumidifier for the room?
Choosing a cellar dehumidifier requires careful consideration. If you buy a model that is not ideal for humid rooms like a cellar or bathroom, you risk wasting your money.
Take the time to measure the volume of the cellar. This data helps you determine the ideal capacity of your future portable dehumidifier. If your house has a small cellar, you do not need to spend on a professional dehumidifier for the cellar.
On the other hand, a spacious room requires a powerful device. Otherwise, a low-capacity model is unable to dry the indoor air.
Finally, it should be noted that cellar dehumidifiers only reduce the cellar humidity level. They do not address the true cause of humidity problems. To achieve this, do not hesitate to consult a professional to avoid making things worse.
FAQ: Everything you need to know about cellar dehumidifiers
How long should the device run each day?
Where is the ideal place to put the dehumidifier in the cellar?
Can the device replace ventilation (VMC)?
