Dehumidifier Sizing

35 pints for 2,000 sq ft crawl — Very damp

Modeled from DOE/ENERGY STAR guidance; see methodology.

Recommendation: 35 pints/day (50‑pint class)

  • Space type: Crawl
  • Size: 2,000 sq ft
  • Moisture condition: Very damp

When to size up

If the space often stays below ~68°F, connects to other damp rooms, or you see frequent condensation, consider sizing up from 50‑pint class to the next class.

Portable dehumidifiers are rated at 65°F under DOE 2019/2020. Cooler air reduces capacity; basements and crawls often benefit from moving up one class.

What 35 pints/day means for this crawl

  • Old-label equivalent: about 50 pints on a pre-2019 (80°F AHAM) box. Ratings shrank when DOE moved testing to 65°F, so ignore old charts that list bigger numbers (why).
  • Water removed at rated output: about 4.4 gallons a day. Most bucket units need emptying at least daily at that rate, so a drain hose or condensate pump is worth it here.
  • Capacity density: 17.5 pints per 1,000 sq ft, versus 27 pints/day for a above-grade room and 32 pints/day for a basement of the same size and dampness.
  • If it gets wetter: wet conditions push this to 45 pints/day (50–70‑pint class).

Compare nearby sizes

FAQ

What size dehumidifier for a 2,000 sq ft crawl that is very damp?

About 35 pints/day under current DOE (65°F) ratings, which puts you in the 50-pint class. On older pre-2019 labels that is roughly 50 pints.

How much water will it pull out each day?

At rated output about 4.4 gallons (35 pints) per day; real output is lower once humidity drops toward your setpoint.