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
20 responses
Hi,
I have a “vertical” terrace house with 4 storeys – kitchen/laundry machine in the basement, bathroom and living room on ground floor, two bedrooms on first floor and then a loft bedroom. I’m confused as to get a single 20L and where to position it. If the dampness is across different floors? Or is it about repositioning it regularly ? Or getting two smaller ones? Thanks
Daniela,
Thank you for your enquiry. As there are four floors and it is a large house are you looking to control one area of the house that has the worst problem or the whole house? If the source of moisture is coming from the one location then you should buy one larger dehumidifier. If you are looking at the whole house and if you feel that you have moisture coming from say the kitchen and drying laundry downstairs and the bathrooms upstairs, then I would buy two smaller dehumidifiers for better control.
I hope that helps,
Omar@Meaco.
Hello. I have a three bedroom house with two reception rooms, a kitchen and a bathroom. The rooms are 20 metre squared with high ceilings being a Victorian terraced house. The bathroom and the kitchen are not particularly large. The third bedroom is in the attic and is larger, perhaps 25 metre squared. My question is will a 12l dehumidifier placed centrally on the landing reach the whole house or should I be considering a 20 or even 25 litre. Running costs and efficiency are my priorities.
James,
Thank you for your enquiry.
A 3 bedroom would indicate towards the mid range for example a 12L or a 20L. 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. Those living in a 3 bedroom house with 4+ people we may recommend a 20L as there will be more showering, cooking and washing going on which all increases the moisture within your home, taking into consideration your property size also, perhaps you’d be best using a 20L for more of an affect.
I hope that helps,
Omar@Meaco.
Is a single 20L sufficient if the house is four stories?
Ours is also 3 bed but one bedroom is the loft and our kitchen is in the basement. We have a dust allergy sufferer so need it for both the bedroom and in the kitchen where laundry hangs. Or should we be getting two smaller capacity ones?
Thanks
Daniela,
I have replied to your other comment as follows:
Thank you for your enquiry. As there are four floors and it is a large house are you looking to control one area of the house that has the worst problem or the whole house? If the source of moisture is coming from the one location then you should buy one larger dehumidifier. If you are looking at the whole house and if you feel that you have moisture coming from say the kitchen and drying laundry downstairs and the bathrooms upstairs, then I would buy two smaller dehumidifiers for better control.
I hope that helps,
Omar@Meaco.
Hi I wondered why machines are set automatically to 55 humidity not 50?
Ben,
Thank you for your enquiry, for general use we recommend setting the dehumidifier to reach a target humidity level of 50%rh or 55%rh above this means damp build up. Position the dehumidifier in a central position within your home, for example the landing or hallway. If you have more of a problem in one area of your house/flat, place the dehumidifier closer to that area. Leave all the interior doors open and keep the windows closed. Moisture in the air, from the entire house, will migrate towards the dehumidifier allowing the machine to reduce the relative humidity level. For best results, leave your dehumidifier running 24/7.
Kind regards,
Omar.
Hi
May I ask your advice regarding which capacity dehumidifier to pick. Will be moving into a 4 bedroom new-build house, approximately 110 square meters. Only two of us will be living in the house and will be needing the dehumidifier to help dry clothes indoors.
Thank you
Thank you for your enquiry,
You will require at least a 20L such as the MeacoDry Arete® One 20L Dehumidifier / Air Purifier
https://www.meaco.com/products/meacodry-arete-one-20l-dehumidifier-and-air-purifier
New build – unlikely there will be any signs of mould or high levels of damp, however if this were the case, a 25L such as the MeacoDry Arete® One 25L Dehumidifier / Air Purifier
https://www.meaco.com/products/meacodry-arete-one-25l-dehumidifier-and-air-purifier
I hope this helps,
Omar@Meaco.
Hi,Got my Meaco Arete 12l delivered on Monday.After waiting the 6 hours recommended I switched on in hallway but since then it’s hardly switched off.Is this normal or is the machine to small and struggling to remove moisture from my property? (2 bed semi detached with extension)
Thank you for your enquiry,
If this is the first time you are using a dehumidifier for this house, there will be moisture across the property, absorbed by organic materials, thus your unit, to begin with, will be running.
You will notice over time, perhaps weeks, it runs for less and the relative humidity has also decreased compared to your current readings.
Proof is in the pudding, in this case being the water tank, so long as water is collecting, the relative humidity is reducing, then you are on track.
Hope that helps,
Omar@Meaco.
Hi I live in a two bedroom bungalow but am being a bit mean with the electric! Windows steam in the morning and curtains feel damp. I’m drying clothes in an already damp study on an electric Minky tiered dryer. I’ve just purchased Meaco 25 Litre Low Energy Laundry Dehumidifier from appliances direct tonight. Whilst I haven’t got a 5 bedroom big house, is this ok to help with the damp/ laundry in the study and the fact I have asthma. I’m electric only so bills are expensive- how much will it be per hour? Thank you
Michelle
Thank you for your recent purchase & message.
This dehumidifier is designed to reduce humidity from the air in a building or part of a building. The purpose is to help dry laundry, prevent condensation, mould, musty air and other issues associated with high relative humidity.
Running costs would be approximately 9p per hour.
Hope this helps.
Omar@Meaco
I am looking to buy a new dehumidifier and wondered what the cost is per hour of the Meaco Arete 25l low energy dehumidifier
Thank you for your message,
Approximate electricity costs are 8p / hour based on 27.35p / kWh using approximately 267 watts.
Hope this helps.
Omar@Meaco.
Hi I bought a Meaco Arete One 12L Dehumidifier & Air Purifier.
It’s great it took around 24hrs for the tank to fill so it’s definitely works.
I have a a question we had it just outside our bedroom door and the night mode does not seem to be any quieter than the smart mode. The light goes off the dial but the fan seems to run at exactly the same speed.
Thank you for your recent Meaco purchase,
It would be already on the lower speed, you have 2 speeds, to differentiate, press the laundry mode and it will use fan speed 2.
Hope this helps.
Omar@Meaco.
Have just bought a Meaco Arête dehumidifier at the weekend to assist drying clothes together with a heated dryer. They work wonderfully well together.
May I add that a lot of people are being scammed by a fake website purporting to recommend a ‘Dewett’ UK dehumidifier but is in fact made in China. Just read the Trustpilot reviews which I Did sadly after purchasing they always say it’s already been dispatched however early you try to cancel the order. Avoid at all cost! Stick with a Meaco dehumidifier instead.
Thank you for your purchase of Meaco.