If you’re the proud owner of a spacious 3, 4, or 5+ bedroom house in the UK, you’re probably familiar with the challenges that come with maintaining ideal indoor humidity levels. High humidity can lead to issues like mould, damp and poor air quality. To ensure a comfortable living environment, it’s essential to invest in a dehumidifier tailored to the specific needs of your large home.
Buying a dehumidifier can be an investment. You want to know you’ve got the right size for your house, home environment and lifestyle.
We know some of our customers will measure their house by square footage, not just bedrooms. So when we’re talking about a three bed house, we’re estimating an average size between 100m2 and 130m2. For a five plus bed house, you may be looking at more of a 200m2+ floor plan and above. It’s crucial to select the perfect dehumidifier for your home, no matter how you measure your house. It’s likely that you’ll require one of our larger dehumidifiers, a 20L or 25L.
What are the key factors to look out for when buying a dehumidifier for a large house (100m2+. and above):
- Dehumidification Capacity
The size of your home matters, so look for a dehumidifier with a capacity that can handle the number of bedrooms. For a 3 bedroom house (100m2+) you will need a dehumidifier in the mid range, for example our MeacoDry ABC 12L dehumidifier. However, it’s important to note that we don’t recommend dehumidifiers based just on the number of rooms as other factors come into play such as the number of people in your home, how you dry your laundry, the average temperature etc. So for those living in a 3 bedroom house with 6 people compared to 4, we may recommend a 20L as there will be more showering, cooking and washing going on which all increases the moisture within your home.4 bedroom homes will benefit from a 20L dehumidifier and larger homes with 5+ bedrooms, 200m2+ and above, will require at least a 25L dehumidifier. For example, our MeacoDry Arete® One 25L Dehumidifier/ Air Purifier.The above suggestions are referencing compressor dehumidifiers, desiccant dehumidifiers do not tend to go above 8L’s in size but because of their powerful desiccant wheel, they can work in homes with 5+ bedrooms. For example, our compact but powerful Meaco DD8L Dehumidifier.
- Location and Portability
Consider where you plan to place the dehumidifier. We advise customers to place their dehumidifier in a central area, such as a hallway, and leave it there. However, it’s likely you’ll need to move the dehumidifier into a particular room to dry your laundry so it’s beneficial to have a portable unit that can be moved around as needed. Make sure it has castors and sturdy handles for easy relocation. - Energy Efficiency
Unlike energy hungry units like tumble dryers, dehumidifiers are relatively cheap to run. However it’s still important to take a look at the cost to run data and opt for an energy efficient model. This will give you an idea of how much the dehumidifier will cost to run over a 24 hour period. This can help you save on your monthly energy bills and reduce your environmental footprint.
- Noise Level
Large homes often have multiple living spaces, including bedrooms and common areas. To avoid disturbances, choose a dehumidifier with a lower decibel rating if you plan to place it in quieter areas like just outside a bedroom. - Humidity Control
It’s important your dehumidifier is functional and adjustable for your needs. Look for a dehumidifier with adjustable humidity settings to help you maintain an ideal humidity level for your home. We recommend setting your Meaco dehumidifier to 55% Relative Humidity for a comfortable living environment. - Continuous Drainage Options
For a large home, dealing with the water collected by the dehumidifier can be a challenge. It can be a pain constantly emptying the water tank, especially if it’s a holiday or second home. Consider models that offer continuous drainage options, allowing you to divert water directly into a floor drain, sink, or external container. - Air Filtration
Many of our dehumidifiers come with HEPA air filters that help improve indoor air quality by removing dust, allergens, and odors. This can be especially beneficial if you have family members with allergies or respiratory issues. Our Meaco 20L Low Energy Dehumidifiers, MeacoDry Arete® One 20L and 25L Dehumidifier/ Air Purifiers all include an integrated HEPA filter to help purify the air. - Durability and Maintenance
Choose a dehumidifier made from quality materials with easy-to-clean components. Regular maintenance is crucial to keep your unit working efficiently, and in a larger home, this can be more time-consuming. Our Arete® One range of dehumidifiers has a slidable filter, meaning you don’t even have to turn the dehumidifier around to clean it! - Additional features
You may want to look at the additional features a dehumidifier can bring to your home. For example, many of our Meaco dehumidifiers have an in built Laundry Mode, making hanging your washing in the utility room with a dehumidifier much easier and energy efficient. You may also have multiple pets in a larger home and with our integrated H13 medical grade HEPA filter, you can prevent pet dander from blocking the dust filter.
In larger houses, it may be useful to consider dehumidifiers for different spaces…
Sometimes rooms in larger houses may be closed off and have different requirements to the rest of the house. Let’s take a look at those spaces and why they may need some extra help.
Which rooms should you pay particular attention to when choosing a dehumidifier:
- Garages
If you have a garage, then a desiccant dehumidifier is best because they don’t mind low temperatures which means that it is perfect for looking after areas that are likely to be colder. These are ideal for garages and workshops where you might keep classic cars, motorbikes, bicycles, camping equipment, tools and other hobby equipment. We would recommend something like the Meaco DD8L Dehumidifier, as it is efficient to run, even in colder temperatures and can be wall mounted and stored out of the way. Browse our garage dehumidifiers here.
- Conservatory
Conservatories of any size in your home, you may have noticed problems with moisture: condensation on the windows, dampness in the air. The level of problem you have will depend on the type of conservatory you have, how old it is and how it is both heated and ventilated. In most cases, dehumidifiers can provide a great solution. Read more about dealing with condensation in conservatories here.
- Utility
Many larger homes may be lucky enough to have a utility space available. This is a great opportunity to dry your laundry with a dehumidifier. Simply put your clothes on an extra spin cycle, hang on a clothes horse, ensure the windows and doors are shut in the space, select Laundry Mode and your dehumidifier will do the rest. You may even want to buy a separate, smaller dehumidifier to run in this room to dry laundry efficiently. Read more about drying laundry indoors here.
When selecting a dehumidifier for your large UK home, whether a 3, 4 or 5+ bedroom house, taking into account the specific needs of your property is essential.
Factors such as a larger capacity water tank and high extraction rate, the number of bedrooms, location, energy efficiency, noise level, and humidity control will greatly impact your choice. Additionally, consider the convenience of features like continuous drainage, air filtration, and energy efficiency to ensure your dehumidifier is up to the task of maintaining ideal indoor humidity levels in your expansive living space.
By making an informed decision, you’ll create a more comfortable and healthy environment for your family.
Products featured: Meaco 20L Low Energy Dehumidifier, Meaco DD8L Dehumidifier, MeacoDry ABC 12L Dehumidifier, MeacoDry Arete® One 25L Dehumidifier/ Air Purifier, MeacoWall Swimming Pool Dehumidifiers
24 responses
According to the specs a 20l arete two will be enough for my house. 2 bed plus another attic room. Would purchasing the 25l be overkill? Or would it actually be better to oversize?
Thanks J
John,
Thank you for your question. A 20L AreteTwo should be more than sufficient for your 2-bed house, but purchasing the 25L model wouldn’t be overkill. In fact, a larger unit will offer higher extraction rates, which means it can help dry out the space more quickly and efficiently. A larger unit can ensure faster moisture removal and better performance, especially in areas with fluctuating humidity.
I hope that helps in your decision making process, anything else feel free to get in touch.
Omar@Meaco.