Where shall I place my dehumidifier around the house?
We get lots of questions asking us how to use a dehumidifier and where best to put it around the house. It’s best to place it somewhere central in the house, being sure to think about where your sources of moisture are. Moisture problems like damp and mould are typically likely to arise in the bathroom, where showers and baths create lots of steam. And so, it is best to position your dehumidifier on the landing. Here, the dehumidifier will create a dry spot; and as long as internal doors are kept open, any moisture from the bathroom or anywhere else in the house, will migrate here. The dehumidifier will draw in the moisture, turning it into water.
If the unit is set up in a relatively permanent position and if you do not wish to empty the tank manually, you could set up your dehumidifier with continuous drainage. When using continuous drainage via a hose on its own, the water is drained from the dehumidifier via gravity. This means the hose must go downhill, without any kinks or blockages, to allow the water to flow. Ensure the end of the hose is lower than the drainage port and the water can flow downwards into a sink or drain. Because of this, it can be best to place the dehumidifier on the kitchen side (to give it the height), next to a sink, so the hose can drain the water straight into the sink and down the drain.
If the hose can only go uphill, then you could install a water pump. If you want to learn how to install this, you can watch our YouTube video.
The beauty of Arete®
In general, dehumidifiers need to be about 30 cm away from the wall. And if positioned in a hallway, landing, or a flat or small house, that means it’ll be in the way. Very annoying.
But that’s the beauty of Arete®, as this is the only dehumidifier that solves that problem. Designed here in the UK, this machine has been made with British and European customers in mind. We know that you’ll probably place your dehumidifier in a landing or a hallway, so we have worked hard to engineer an appliance that doesn’t take up unnecessary space and becomes a nuisance to own. With Arete®, you can put it right up against the wall, and it will still do the job.
The MeacoDry Arete® 6L – small, whisper-quiet and perfect for compact spaces
The newest addition to the Arete® range, the 6L model is designed for those who want all the benefits of Arete® in a smaller, lighter and even quieter package. Small enough to fit seamlessly into your space, it’s powerful enough to make a real difference in rooms up to 25m².
The Arete® One 6L works as both a compact dehumidifier and air purifier, making it ideal for tackling damp, mould and condensation where space is limited. Despite its compact footprint, it still delivers the same user-friendly controls, low noise levels and excellent humidity performance that define the rest of the Arete® range.
Like all Arete® models, it can be placed flush against a wall – a huge advantage when every centimetre counts. Quiet, efficient and easy to live with, it offers practical features such as laundry-drying modes, making it a discreet yet effective solution for everyday moisture and mild damp issues.
What target relative humidity should we set our dehumidifier to?
The optimum humidity for UK homes is between 50%rh and 55%rh. This is dry enough to remove condensation and prevent damp and mould issues, but not too dry that it would cause other issues such as dry, itchy skin and sore throats.
In colder months, some people may find this target isn’t low enough to reduce condensation on their windows. In these circumstances, the target humidity for your dehumidifier to reach can be reduced to around 40%rh.
But in general terms, aim for 55%rh. That’s what museums use when they’re looking after their collections; so, if it’s good enough for museums, it’s good enough for us.
With Meaco Control Logic, your Meaco dehumidifier has been engineered to maintain a steady and comfortable humidity level with maximum energy efficiency. It automatically adjusts fan speed based on the gap between the target and current humidity, reducing power consumption without compromising performance. Once the desired humidity is reached, let’s say 55%RH, the dehumidifier switches off and monitors the air every 30 minutes, only restarting if humidity rises by more than 5 percent. This smart control ensures low running costs and consistent air quality, keeping your space comfortable and energy-wise.
Can I move my dehumidifier from room to room?
You can. However, it is best to keep your dehumidifier in one place. This is because the dehumidifier brings moisture towards itself, creating a dry spot in the process. Let it do the job by leaving it in one place, and leaving all internal doors open. Get used to bringing the laundry to the dehumidifier, rather than moving the dehumidifier to the laundry.
What about the filter?
The dust filter is very important as it stops dust and dirt from getting into the machine. It is extremely important to clean the filter on a regular basis. Without regular cleaning, dirt and dust will build up over time and stop air passing through it. When the air can’t pass through it, the machine starts to use more energy, so your electricity bill will go up. It will also cause the machine to make more noise. So it’s in your vested interest just to keep the filter clean.
If you’ve got a HEPA filter, when it turns from white to dark gray, it’s ready to be disposed of in the general waste. It may not sound very environmentally friendly, but the filter collects all sorts of bacteria, which no one wants entering the recycling system. To deal with it correctly, it’s best to dispose of it in the general waste.
Save money on your heating bill with a dehumidifier
Having a dehumidifier in the home turns all damp air into dry air, which is makes it far easier for your central heating system to heat your home. This is because all of the extra moisture in the air needs to be warmed up before you can start to feel warm.
A dehumidifier keeps the relative humidity in the house at a sensible level. It’s not too dry that it will cause you any problems, but at a level where you won’t get issues of damp mold and condensation and one that makes your heating system more energy efficient.
With a dehumidifier, you’ll start turning down your thermostat, and you’ll save money on your heating bill. Yet another benefit that comes from owning a dehumidifier.
We’d love to hear your ideas and questions, so please feel free to share them with us by leaving a message in the comment section below.
Products featured:
152 responses
definitely doesn’t draw air in from the sides!!!
Hi Meaco team,
I’m primarily interested in buying an air purifier but I’m also keen to try the MeacoDry Arete range combining air purifier and dehumidifier. I have a couple of questions regarding MeacoClean CA-HEPA 47×5 Air Purifier and MeacoDry Arete® One 6L Compact Dehumidifier / Air Purifier:
1. MeacoClean 47×5 has multi-stage filters of dust, HEPA, charcoal and VOCs. Does MeacoDry Arete® One 6L have the same multi-stage filters?
2. MeacoClean 47×5’s spec shows that it works in rooms up to 78m³. If I put the air purifier in a hallway and keep all the room doors opened, is it efficient in purifying air across the one-floor flat (78m³ in total). Essentially I would like to avoid placing an air purifier in every single room which occupies precious floor space. Same question for MeacoDry Arete® One 6L.
3. MeacoDry Arete® One 6L spec doesn’t show the recommended room size (like up to 78m³ for MeacoClean 47×5). Could you advise please?
4. MeacoClean 47×5 is shown as out of stock on your website. Do you know when it will be restocked?
5. I see MeacoDry Arete® 10L and 12L Charcoal Filter. Is there charcoal filter for MeacoDry Arete® One 6L?
Thanks in advance for your reply and I hope it would help me in choosing which model to buy.
Happy Friday!
CC
Chloe,
Thank you for your enquiry, and for considering our products.
Regarding our air purifier products, currently they are discontinued as we are in the process of developing a new range. We’ll be updating our website and social channels as soon as more information becomes available, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for updates.
Focusing on the MeacoDry Arete® One 6L, this model does support air purification through compatible HEPA and charcoal filters, which are available via our spares section.
In terms of performance, it’s important to note that a dedicated air purifier will always outperform a combined unit when it comes to air cleaning. The Arete range is primarily designed as a dehumidifier, with air purification as a secondary feature. So the right choice really depends on what matters more to you—if air purification is the priority, a dedicated unit would typically be the better option.
For room coverage, the Arete One 6L is best suited to smaller spaces such as bedrooms, offices, or similar areas. Like most air treatment products, performance is most effective when used within a single room rather than across an entire floor with open doors.
I hope this helps,
Omar@Meaco