A starting band.
Separate installation checks.
The basement calculator applies the public ENERGY STAR guide for portable dehumidifiers. It does not measure the room’s moisture load or design a whole-home system.
Capacity bands used by the calculator
| Conditions | Under 2,000 sq ft | 2,000 sq ft and larger |
|---|---|---|
| Damp · estimated or 50–74.9% RH | 20–30 pints/day | 30+ pints/day |
| Very damp · estimated or 75–89.9% RH | 25–40 pints/day | 40+ pints/day |
| Wet · estimated or 90–100% RH | 30–50 pints/day | 50+ pints/day |
The source labels its areas below and above 2,000 sq ft. We conservatively use the larger band at exactly 2,000. At overlapping humidity boundaries, we use the wetter band. These are implementation choices, not additional published test results. We do not interpolate a precise value for each square foot.
When a size is not produced
Active water entry takes priority over equipment shopping. A measured RH below 50% triggers a suggestion to monitor conditions before buying. Crawl spaces need site-specific assessment; the portable-room band is not applied to them.
How the reference models are screened
We compare only documented cooler-condition capacity with the portable-room band. The warmer-condition AHAM number is displayed separately. Capacity below the lower boundary, temperature outside a published operating range or a missing drainage mode is flagged. Unknown temperature and drainage remain unconfirmed. Being within these limits does not certify compatibility.
We do not calculate pump lift, installation clearances, noise, energy cost or runtime without sufficient model and site data. Hose length does not establish maximum lift. The published minimum operating temperature does not mean full rated capacity is maintained at that temperature.
Sources and specification dates
- ENERGY STAR portable-dehumidifier guidance
- AlorAir Sentinel HD35P: 23 pints/day is from the ENERGY STAR registry export captured September 10, 2025. The 2026 manufacturer sheet lists 35 at 80°F / 60% RH. Confirm the exact unit’s current rating before buying; this is not a claim of current certification. Capacity source · Manufacturer sheet
- AlorAir Sentinel HD55P: The manufacturer’s sample data plate lists 32 pints/day at 65°F / 60% RH and 55 at 80°F / 60% RH. The plate is dated November 3, 2023. Confirm the rating on the current unit and its installation instructions. Capacity source · Manufacturer sheet
Reviewed September 14, 2026. We do not claim that historical registry data proves current certification. Verify the current revision and installation instructions at the manufacturer. Commercial links do not change the sizing rules.