How Long Does a Dehumidifier Take to Dry a Room?

Dehumidifiers are a good part of quality indoor air because they decrease humidity. However, most homeowners will ask, "How long will it take for a dehumidifier to dry out a room?" Of course, several factors will vary how long it will take—the size of the room, humidity level, and type of dehumidifier.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll discuss those factors, provide you with practical tips, and make recommendations that can help accelerate the drying process.

One must choose a dehumidifier that will dry a room effectively and efficiently. If you seek the best-performing dehumidifiers in the most challenging environments, like basements or crawl spaces, BaseAire has a diverse, potent product just for you. Check out these Crawl Space and Basement Dehumidifiers that are best suited for these spaces. But how long does it take to get the job done?

Key Factors That Determine Dehumidifier Drying Time

Knowing how long a dehumidifier will take to dry up a room starts with knowing the factors influencing this process. Here are breakdowns of those critical influences:

Room Size 

Room size is one of the leading factors determining how much time the dehumidifier takes to do its thing proficiently. Big rooms are filled with larger air volumes; therefore, they hold more significant portions of moisture that need to be brought into the dehumidifier. For example, a small room may absorb moisture in just a few hours, whereas a big room, like a living room or even a basement, may take up to one whole day, depending on its size.

Rooms 300 square feet and below will dry out generally faster than rooms 600 square feet and above.

A high-capacity one will be required for huge or highly humid rooms, like basements. BaseAire offers models such as the AirWerx100X Dehumidifier, which removes 100 pints of moisture a day. This dehumidifier is ideal for large rooms and immediate moisture removal.

Pre-configured Humidity Levels

The initial condition of humidity significantly contributes to the room's drying time. Thus, if the room is very humid to start with, above 80%, then its drying time may take a much longer period than that of one with moderate levels, usually 50% to 60%. How fast the dehumidifier can get to that ideal state is usually dependent on how moist the room begins.

You may also use a hygrometer—an appliance that measures the humidity level in a room. In extreme cases, dehumidifiers specialized for those environments can dry out the space very efficiently. In such cases, just like the BaseAire AirWerx55 model, they speed up the drying process.

Dehumidifier Capacity

Dehumidifiers have different capacities, meaning the number of pints of water they can extract from the air in 24 hours. Large-capacity dehumidifiers mean you are better able to handle large, humid rooms. For example, a 70-pint capacity dehumidifier can extract significantly more moisture than a 30-pint capacity dehumidifier, which can dry relatively faster.

Choose one that matches the room size and moisture level. High-capacity dehumidifiers, such as the AirWerx100X of BaseAire, are suitable for large rooms or living spaces and designed for fast operation due to their high removal rate.

Standard Drying Times for a Room

Now that we've covered what causes drying time let's talk about numbers. While actual times will vary depending on specific conditions, here are general guidelines to help you understand how much time you should expect the process to take:

• Small Rooms (Less than 300 sq. ft.): Here, in small rooms, like bedrooms and bathrooms or closets, the standard dehumidifier would take around 4 to 8 hours to exert its dewatering effect to such an extent that moisture levels could be reduced. A compact but full-featured model, like the AirWerx55, should operate well in such environments.
• Large rooms (300-600 sq ft): Even larger areas, such as a living room or larger bedroom, will slightly increase the dehumidifier's drying time. It will take 8 to 12 hours before it reaches the perfect humidity levels. The high-capacity dehumidifier will further reduce the time.
• Big Rooms and Basements (600+ sq. ft.): Dining large rooms or damp-proof basement spaces will take 12 to 24 hours. If there is a persistent moisture problem with the basement, it might take 48 hours. You would love the AirWerx 100X for larger areas since it automatically handles the congestion of moisture from large areas speedily.

How to Make the Drying Process Faster

To speed things up, here are a few things you can do that will ensure your dehumidifier works to the best of its ability. Here are some tips that will optimize your dehumidifier's performance:

Close Doors and Windows

One obvious way to get your dehumidifier to do its job faster is to close the room. Doors and open windows do this, allowing more humid air to enter, making it harder for the device to maintain the desired humidity level.

Use with a Fan

Air circulation greatly assists a dehumidifier in working much better. Using a fan, for example, would help the air circulate in the room properly and enable the dehumidifier to extract moisture in an almost even direction from all sides of the room. It is, therefore, useful in large areas or rooms where the circulation is bad.

Drain the Water Tank Daily or Use Continuous Drainage

However, if your dehumidifier water tank fills up reasonably fast, regular emptying of this tank will prevent it from going into shutdown and prevent you from losing your operating time. Continuous draining options may be necessary for a long-term user: the BaseAire AirWerx55 model allows the water tank never to be drained again.

Set the Humidity Level Correctly

Most dehumidifiers have humidity settings that allow you to set your desired level. Aim at 40-50% levels as an ideal comfort range. If you set it too low, you will work the dehumidifier too much, and if you set it too high, you will not get your desired moisture reduction result.

Best Dehumidifiers for Drying Rooms Fast

Use a good dehumidifier with appropriate capacity for the size and humidity in the place to ensure energy efficiency and less drying time. For you, some of the best products by BaseAire include the following:

AirWerx100X

This is an enormous-capacity dehumidifier for very large spaces, basements, and large living rooms. It can handle even the highest amounts of humidity and can hold 100 pints a day. 

AirWerx55

Best for smaller spaces or rooms with average humidity, the AirWerx55 offers roominess in the design without sacrificing much of the dehumidifying performance. It has continuous drainage, making it suitable for everyday use.

Dehumidifiers For Crawl Space and Basement

These are built for use in moist areas, normally the basement and crawlspace. They are perfect for households with chronic humidity problems.

Conclusion

In summary, the time it takes for a room to dry using a dehumidifier will range from a few hours to many hours, depending on the room's size, the initial high humid levels, and the dehumidifier's capacity. Small rooms dry in a few hours, while large spaces take longer, which may take a full day. To get the best from your dehumidifier, make sure to invest in one that suits your space and apply the above tips for optimal performance.

For those with cramped, challenging spaces, such as basements or crawl spaces, large-capacity dehumidifiers like the AirWerx100X or AirWerx55 work well, which means faster results. A dry and comfortable living environment is perfectly obtainable with the right equipment.