Dehumidifiers buying guide
A dehumidifier can take that sticky feeling out of a damp basement or crawl space. Humidity levels above 50 percent can breed
dust mites, mildew, and mold, which may worsen allergies and asthma. As our testers found, the best dehumidifiers aren’t necessarily
the highest priced.
Getting started
Humidifiers use a fan to pull air over two sets of refrigerant-filled coils, one cool and the other warm, wringing out moisture along the way. All of the models we evaluated in our test chamber performed well overall. But some came much closer than others to the humidity levels we set on the humidistat. Some used less energy or ran more quietly. And a few had to be restarted manually after a simulated blackout.
Consider where it will go
Noise is a concern in living space. Our measurements from 4 feet ranged from 55 to 67 decibels for the models we tested. That's about the difference between the sound of loud conversation and the din of street traffic. Models with the smallest capacity tended to be the quietest, although one such model we tested was noisier than most larger units.Look for energy savings
A dehumidifier can rack up more than $150 a year in electric bills. The largest-capacity humidifiers tend to be the most efficient, removing the most water for each kilowatt-hour used. Look for models with an Energy Star seal, which are 10 to 20 percent more efficient than non-Energy Star models.Time your purchase
New models appear in late spring and early summer, and most sales and in-store promotions occur from June through August. You might find closeout deals in the fall and early winter.Fix existing problems
Even the best dehumidifier may not work effectively if too much outside moisture seeps into your home. Begin by checking that gutters aren’t clogged and that downspouts are directing rainwater at least 3 feet away from the house. Grade your property so that rainwater flows away from the foundation. Keep the duct for your clothes dryer properly vented to the outside, making sure that it isn't clogged or leaking. Run an exhaust fan or open a window when showering, and squeegee or wipe down shower walls afterward. When cooking, use a range hood that vents outdoors.In the basement, check the plumbing for leaks and condensation. For a damp rather than leaky basement, applying a waterproof coating (when walls are dry) may help. Use silicone caulk to seal small gaps in the foundation, and hydraulic cement for cracks. More extensive problems may require a sump pump, excavating and waterproofing exterior foundation walls, and installing drains outside.
A desiccant disappoints
Besides dehumidifiers, we also tested water-absorbing calcium-chloride crystals. The manufacturer of DampRid maintains that it will lower humidity to about 50 percent in spaces up to 1,000 square feet. Several small, refillable buckets or two large disposable ones cost about $26 to $28, so DampRid is a tempting alternative, especially for closets that lack the airflow needed for a dehumidifier. Just don't expect fast work. Even the large bucket removed less than 2 ounces of moisture over 24 hours in our test chamber, compared with 25 pints claimed for the smallest dehumidifier in our test group.
-
See also:
-
-
-
