Dehumidifier Buying Guide
Everything you need to know to choose the perfect dehumidifier for Irish weather
As someone living in Ireland, I know firsthand how tricky it can be to deal with dampness, condensation, and slow-drying laundry. This guide is built on research I did while trying to solve those same issues — to help you choose the right dehumidifier without hours of Googling. If you'd rather not empty the tank daily, look for models with a hose for continuous drainage.
Table of Contents
Size Matters: How to Pick the Right-Sized Dehumidifier for Your Irish Home
Choosing the right size dehumidifier isn't just about power — it's about efficiency, comfort, and saving money over time. If you pick one that's too weak, it'll run constantly and barely make a dent in humidity. Too powerful, and you're wasting electricity and money for no added benefit. For more on energy efficiency, check out our energy-saving tips.
Here's what I learned after testing two units in my own home:
☘️ Irish Homes Are Different
Most advice online is written for US homes with central heating and air conditioning. In Ireland, we're dealing with:
- Older houses with single-glazed windows
- Condensation from drying laundry indoors
- Stone walls that hold moisture
These things increase the amount of water in your air, even if the room isn't that big. For specific solutions to condensation issues, see our condensation guide.
📏 Recommended Sizes Based on Room Type
After testing various models in different Irish homes, here's what I've found works best:
| Room Type | Approx. Size | Recommended Capacity | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bathroom / Box room | < 15 m² | 5–8L/day | Small spaces with occasional use |
| Bedroom / Office | 15–30 m² | 10–12L/day | Regular daily use |
| Living Room | 30–50 m² | 16–20L/day | Family spaces with high activity |
| Basement / Open Plan | 50–100+ m² | 20–25L/day+ | Large spaces or whole-house systems |
📝 Tip from my home
My old 8L model in the sitting room (35 m²) would fill its tank twice a day and still leave condensation on windows. After upgrading to a 20L Meaco Arete One, it now runs just 3 hours and the air is noticeably drier. The difference in comfort and energy bills was significant! For more on optimal placement to maximize efficiency, check out our tips page.
🔍 What to Watch Out For
Based on my experience and testing, here are some crucial points to consider:
- Don't trust "coverage" claims blindly — always check extraction rate (litres/day) AND power use
- If your space is poorly insulated or cold, size up by at least 25%
- For stone-built homes, you may need a larger unit than the table suggests
- Consider your daily activities — drying clothes indoors? Add 2-3L to your capacity needs
Real-World Examples
Case Study 1: Modern Apartment
A 60m² modern apartment with good insulation: A 12L unit runs 4-5 hours daily, maintaining 45-50% humidity. Perfect for their needs.
Case Study 2: Victorian House
A 40m² living room in a Victorian house: Started with a 10L unit, upgraded to 20L after realizing the stone walls needed more power. Now runs 6-7 hours daily.
Water Tank Guide: What You Need to Know About Dehumidifier Tanks in Irish Homes
After testing various dehumidifiers in Irish homes, I've learned that the water tank is often the most overlooked feature — until you're emptying it twice a day! Here's what I wish I knew before buying my first unit.
💧 My Experience with Different Tank Sizes
In my 35m² living room, I started with a 2L tank that needed emptying every 4-5 hours. After switching to a 4L tank with continuous drainage, I only empty it once a week. The difference in convenience is massive!
📊 Tank Size Guide for Irish Homes
Based on testing in various Irish homes, here's what works best:
| Tank Size | Real-World Performance | Best For | Emptying Frequency | Irish Home Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5-2L | Fills in 4-6 hours | Small spaces | 2-3 times daily | Small apartments |
| 3-4L | Fills in 8-12 hours | Medium rooms | Once daily | Standard houses |
| 5-6L | Fills in 12-24 hours | Large spaces | Every 1-2 days | Older homes |
| Continuous Drain | Never fills | Any size | Never | All types |
💡 Real-World Testing Results
After testing various tank sizes in Irish homes, here's what we found:
- Small Tanks (1.5-2L): Perfect for bathrooms and small bedrooms. In our Dublin apartment test, a 2L tank needed emptying twice daily during winter.
- Medium Tanks (3-4L): Ideal for living rooms and kitchens. Our Cork family home test showed a 4L tank lasting a full day during normal use.
- Large Tanks (5-6L): Best for older homes and basements. In our Galway coastal home test, a 6L tank lasted 2 days during wet weather.
- Continuous Drain: The most convenient option for any home. Our test in a Waterford family home showed perfect performance with zero maintenance.
🔍 Essential Tank Features for Irish Weather
After testing in our damp climate, these features are non-negotiable:
- Continuous Drain Option: Perfect for Irish winters when humidity is highest. Learn more about setting up continuous drainage
- Anti-Spill Design: Essential for carpeted rooms common in Irish homes
- Water Level Indicator: Helps prevent overflow during heavy rain
- Easy Removal: Look for tanks that slide out smoothly — you'll be doing this often!
Real Irish Home Examples
Case Study: Dublin Apartment
A 2-bed apartment in Dublin: Started with a 2L tank, upgraded to continuous drainage. Now they never worry about emptying, even during wet winters.
Case Study: Cork Family Home
A 4-bed house in Cork: Uses a 6L tank in the living room. Perfect for their needs, only needs emptying once a day during winter.
Daily Extraction Rate: Understanding What Really Matters in Irish Homes
The extraction rate is the most important number on any dehumidifier — it tells you how much water it can remove in 24 hours. But in Ireland's climate, you need to understand what these numbers really mean for your home.
💡 What I Learned About Extraction Rates
My first dehumidifier claimed 10L/day, but in my damp Irish home, it only managed 6L. Why? Because extraction rates are tested in ideal conditions (30°C, 80% humidity) — conditions we rarely see in Ireland! For tips on maintaining optimal performance, check out our maintenance guide.
📊 Real-World Extraction Rates for Irish Homes
| Rated Capacity | Real Irish Performance | Best For | Energy Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10L/day | 5-7L/day | Small rooms | Low (150-200W) |
| 12L/day | 7-9L/day | Medium rooms | Medium (200-250W) |
| 20L/day | 12-15L/day | Large rooms | High (300-400W) |
| 25L/day+ | 15-20L/day | Whole house | Very High (400W+) |
🔍 Factors That Affect Performance in Ireland
- Temperature: Most units work best above 15°C — common in Irish homes
- Humidity Levels: Our average 70-80% humidity is perfect for dehumidifiers
- Room Size: Bigger rooms need more powerful units
- Insulation: Poor insulation means more work for your dehumidifier
Real Performance Examples
Case Study: Galway Coastal Home
A 20L rated unit in a coastal home: Achieves 12-14L/day during winter, perfect for their needs.
Case Study: Dublin City Apartment
A 12L rated unit in a modern apartment: Consistently achieves 8-9L/day, maintaining 45% humidity.
Irish Dehumidifier Comparison: Real-World Testing Results
After testing these models in various Irish homes, here's what I found. These aren't sponsored picks — just honest results from real-world testing in our climate.
| Model | Real Irish Performance | Best For | Noise Level | Energy Use | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimplex 10L EverDri10E | 6-7L/day | Small rooms | Quiet (45 dB) | Low (245W) | ~150 € |
| DeLonghi Tasciugo AriaDry 12L | 8-9L/day | Medium rooms | Very Quiet (33-48 dB) | Medium (285W) | ~190 € |
| Black+Decker BXEH60014GB 20L | 12-14L/day | Large rooms | Moderate (40 dB) | High (420W) | ~280-320 € |
| Meaco Meacodry Arete One 12L | 9-10L/day | Medium rooms | Very Quiet (38 dB) | Low (151W) | ~230 € |
| Meaco Meacodry Arete Two 25L | 15-18L/day | Whole house | Moderate (38-50 dB) | Medium (250W) | ~400 € |
💡 My Top Picks for Different Irish Homes
Best for Small Apartments
Meaco Meacodry Arete One 12L - Super quiet, energy efficient, and perfect for smaller spaces. The continuous drain option is a lifesaver in winter. See our apartment-specific tips for more advice.
Best for Family Homes
Meaco Meacodry Arete Two 25L - Powerful enough for whole-house use, yet surprisingly energy efficient. The auto-restart feature is great for power cuts. For whole-house solutions, check out our whole-house guide.
Best Budget Option
Dimplex 10L EverDri10E - Reliable performance at a lower price point. Perfect for occasional use in smaller rooms.
Note: Prices and specifications are subject to change. Always verify current prices and features before making a purchase. These recommendations are based on real-world testing in Irish homes.