best way to a dehumidifier work?

the fan pulls damp air over a cold coil, the moisture condenses on it like on a cold glass, and drips into the tank. so to get the most out of it: doors and windows shut, put it near the middle of the room not jammed against a wall, and aim for around 50% humidity rather than running it flat out. clean the filter now and then. if the room is cold, like a garage in winter, a desiccant type works better than the usual compressor kind, which slows right down when it's chilly.