Dehumidifier FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Check out some of the top questions we receive, along with our responses.

PRODUCT SELECTION

Do I need a dehumidifier?
High humidity levels in your home result in a warm, clammy and uncomfortable environment.  It can also lead to increased allergens, mildew, musty scents, condensation, and even structural damage.  Dehumidifiers are a great way to remove excess moisture from your home, helping to avoid these issues.
What size dehumidifier do I need?
Dehumidifier capacity is usually measured in pints per 24 hours and is determined by two factors:
  1. The size of the space that needs to be dehumidified, and
  2. The conditions that exist in the space before dehumidification. 

Use the chart below to estimate the capacity you are looking for.

Dehum chart

 

What size AC do I need? How many BTUs?
Guide based on normal room insulation, average number of sun exposed windows and two person occupancy.
  1. If heavily shaded, reduce cooling Btus required by 10%
  2. If very sunny, increase cooling Btus required by 10%
  3. Add 500 Btus per person over 2 people
  4. Add 4,000 Btus if the area is a kitchen

BTU Graphic*disclaimer - Room Size by square footage is an approximation. Please contact an HVAC professional for more information. 

INSTALLATION

How do I install my Friedrich Dehumidifier?
Dehumidifiers are a plug-and-play system. Just unbox the unit and with its easy rolling casters, move the system to where it is needed.
Where do I put my dehumidifier?

You can use a dehumidifier in any room where moisture and humidity levels lead to problems.  The most common area to use a dehumidifier is a basement or laundry room due to the increased humidity level. For best operation, allow at least 8 inches of space all around the unit and at least 24 inches of space above the unit.

OPERATION

What RH (relative humidity) level should I set my dehumidifier to?
According to ASHRAE, normal human comfort varies between 70F-80F. If your desired temperature is in this range, we recommend setting your dehumidifier between 45-60 RH%, depending on your comfort level.
What options are available for drainage of the condensate?

Friedrich dehumidifiers come with 3 drainage options. 

  1. A removable condensate bucket (up to 16 pts).
  2. A built-in drain pump that can pump condensation vertically or horizontally up to a combined distance of 15 feet.
  3. A continuous drainage outlet.

 

What happens when my condensate bucket is full?

The intuitive design senses condensate levels to both begin and stop the draining process. When the condensate bucket is full, the "Bucket Full" light will illuminate and the unit will stop operating. Once the bucket has been emptied and placed back into the unit operations will continue automatically without any manual reset. 

MAINTENANCE

How often do I clean the air filter?
For optimal performance, it's best to clean the filters every 2-3 weeks, depending on how frequently it's used. Once you've cleaned the air filter a few times you will get a better idea of how much dirt is collected in the filter and you can adjust the schedule, as needed.  

WARRANTY

Does the Friedrich dehumidifier come with a warranty?
Yes, there is a 1-year parts and labor warranty, plus and additional 4-years on the sealed refrigeration system.

Have another question? Contact us