Users should choose a suitable dehumidifier based on their home's area and the microclimate of their living environment. For coastal areas, outlying islands, Tseung Kwan O, Tsing Yi, Sai Kung, and similar locations, a dehumidifier with a high dehumidification capacity is required. You can refer to the following dehumidification capacity reference chart to find the amount you need.

Dehumidifiers usually have two daily dehumidification capacity values: one is based on a common testing environment set by the manufacturer, and the other is based on the standard environment set by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department.

• Manufacturer's common testing environment: Temperature 30°C, Relative humidity 80%.
• Electrical and Mechanical Services Department standard testing environment: Temperature 26.7°C, Relative humidity 60%.

In fact, because the testing environment differs from the actual home temperature and relative humidity, the dehumidification capacity should only be considered as a reference figure. Therefore, when buying a dehumidifier, you should compare the dehumidification capabilities of different models while also considering the values provided by the manufacturer and those on the energy label.

Most dehumidifiers have a water tank capacity of over 3 liters, which can handle 4 hours or more of operation. If you want to avoid the hassle of frequently emptying the tank, you can opt for a dehumidifier with a higher capacity. However, generally, the larger the capacity, the bigger the dehumidifier will be. Some models also come with wheels and handles for easier mobility. Additionally, some dehumidifiers can be connected to a drain hose for continuous drainage during operation, making them convenient for extended use.

The energy label not only indicates dehumidification capacity and power consumption, but also reflects the energy efficiency of the dehumidifier, rated from 1 to 5, with a 1-star rating being the most energy-efficient.

According to a report from the Consumer Council, compressor and hybrid dehumidifiers are more susceptible to temperature and humidity influences, while desiccant dehumidifiers have more stable performance. Therefore, they are more suitable for users who need to use a dehumidifier all year round. Additionally, some dehumidifiers come with air purification features, but they require regular filter replacements.

1. When using a dehumidifier, you should keep doors and windows closed to prevent outdoor humidity from entering and affecting the dehumidification effectiveness.
2. Make good use of the dehumidifier's timer function to avoid running it for too long or forgetting to turn it off.
3. Some models of dehumidifiers come with humidity control features that allow them to automatically turn on or off based on indoor humidity levels, preventing the space from becoming too dry and saving energy.
4. When positioning the dehumidifier, make sure to leave space for ventilation. The air outlet, air intake, and humidity sensor should not be obstructed, as this helps improve performance.
5. The dehumidifier should be placed upright on a stable surface to avoid tipping, which could cause malfunction or lead to water leakage from the tank.
6. Do not place wet clothes directly on top of the dehumidifier, as water droplets from the clothes could fall onto the dehumidifier and create a hazard.
7. Regularly clean the dehumidifier's water tank and dust filter to prevent bacterial growth and dust accumulation that could hinder the normal operation of the dehumidifier.
8. If the dehumidifier will not be used for an extended period, it is recommended to empty the water tank, then cover it with a plastic bag for storage to prevent dust from entering the unit.

We usually see two sets of different dehumidification capacity figures: one commonly found on energy labels and the other often seen in product promotional materials. Currently, compressor dehumidifiers sold in Hong Kong must bear mandatory energy labels as specified by the Energy Efficiency Labeling Scheme. The energy efficiency level on the label is calculated based on data from test reports submitted by the agent to the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, which includes energy efficiency and rated dehumidification capacity under standard conditions. These levels are mainly classified from 1 to 5, with 1 representing the highest energy efficiency among dehumidifiers with the same rated capacity. The dehumidification capacity on the energy label is measured under the standard conditions specified by the labeling scheme, making it a more objective measure.

The values claimed on promotional materials are usually measured under the manufacturer's common testing environment (i.e., at a temperature of 30°C and a relative humidity of 80%), which may not accurately reflect actual usage conditions. When consumers refer to the daily dehumidification capacity claimed in promotional materials or product manuals, they should pay attention to the testing temperature and humidity. It is not advisable to compare based solely on the figures provided by the manufacturer measured in a non-standard environment with higher temperature and humidity.

For example, the daily dehumidification capacity of a compressor dehumidifier measured at higher temperatures and humidity will be higher, which may mislead consumers into thinking the product performs better. However, in actual use, it may not meet expectations.

Under standard conditions, does the actual daily dehumidification capacity align with the values of the mandatory energy efficiency labeling scheme?

The results found that the daily dehumidification capacity of six tested samples was lower than their rated values. Among them, some were slightly lower by about 0.1% to 1.1%, while one model was approximately 6.9% below its claimed value. However, the difference still falls within the acceptable 10% tolerance range specified by the scheme.

Dehumidifiers that use variable frequency technology can automatically adjust their rotation speed within a certain range, while traditional fixed-frequency compressors can only operate at maximum power consumption and cannot change their speed. After starting up, a variable frequency dehumidifier will operate at a higher speed to adjust indoor humidity to the preset relative humidity level, after which it will automatically reduce its rotation speed. While the power consumption at a lower speed is indeed lower than at high speed, the key is that energy efficiency is generally higher during low-speed operation, thus saving energy.

When shopping, you should consider your living situation. If you have a large living area, live near the coast, or in a humid area, or if you require fast dehumidification, you may want to consider models with a higher daily dehumidification capacity. Conversely, the opposite applies as well.

Additionally, consider whether you need to operate the dehumidifier year-round or if you have specific requirements for dehumidification speed. For users who do not have a particularly high demand for dehumidification speed, models that take up less space and are relatively inexpensive may be a good option.

This parameter reflects the air purification capability of the air purifier. It refers to the speed at which the air purifier delivers air free of specific pollutants. The higher the value, the faster the purification of that pollutant, indicating better purification efficiency.

Removal of particulates includes smoke, dust, and pollen. In tests, the CADR values of four models of combined air purifiers and dehumidifiers, using the smoke removal results as an example, ranged from a slowest of 45.2 cubic feet per minute to a fastest of 133.7 cubic feet per minute. This means that the fastest model can purify air almost twice as quickly.

All four models can reduce the concentration of formaldehyde, but the speed is quite slow, ranging from 5.7 to 16.4 cubic feet per minute. (Since the GB/T standard uses cubic meters per hour as the unit, the CADR for each sample is between 9.7 and 27.9 cubic meters per hour, resulting in a purification speed difference of 1.9 times.)