Energy Efficient Dehumidifiers

There are many reasons that you may need a dehumidifier in your home. The excess moisture build up in the home may be the cause of many problems such as mold build up and numerous health issues. First you need to determine if you actually need a dehumidifier, and if you do, do you want to have one permanently installed or do you want to purchase one of many portable dehumidifiers that are on the market? No matter what choice you make, you want to purchase one of the most energy efficient dehumidifiers that you can.

Excessive moisture in the home is one of the most damaging problems that can occur. It can be the cause of mold and mildew and help speed up the deterioration of the structural elements of the home. If used when needed, a dehumidifier can help you avoid damages that are caused by the moisture. If you attack the moisture problem from the structural areas first you can determine if a dehumidifier is going to help. If your moisture problem is not structural related, then an energy efficient dehumidifier will help remove the excess moisture from your home. You will notice that you have excess moisture because you will begin to notice musty smells, water droplets on your windows or you may see mold starting to develop in your bathroom.

The size of the dehumidifier depends on the size of your home and if you are using it to remove moisture from the whole house or just certain rooms. Portable dehumidifiers are excellent choices if you only have moisture problems in certain rooms. If you suffer from asthma, you may want to put a portable dehumidifier in your bedroom to ensure that you get a good night sleep. The other people in the home may not be affected by the humidity level at all. Basements tend to hold much more moisture than any other place in the house and are usually great places for energy efficient dehumidifiers.

Portable dehumidifiers come in many different shapes and sizes. There are some that are very small for one room that have a tub built into them that you manually empty, and there are those that need to be drained out through another source such as a hose connected to a drain. The most energy efficient dehumidifiers are one that have a fan with multiple speeds. The speed of the fan of course determines how hard the dehumidifier is working and how much energy is being used. The lower the speed the less energy. According to Energy Star, energy efficient dehumidifiers with an energy factor of 3.56 are the best, 1.2 are the worst, with the middle ground being 1.62.

To make sure that you are getting the right size portable dehumidifier you need to know the total square footage of the room it will be in. If the room is damp to you while you are in it, needs a dehumidifier that will remove at least 10 pints of moisture for every 500 feet of space. Rooms that are very wet and smell wet will need something that has a larger capacity dehumidifier.

So, if you are looking for an energy efficient dehumidifier, take into consideration the Energy Star rating and the amount of water that it will remove within a 24 hour period of time.

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How to Buy a Dehumidifier for Your Home

Do You Have a Household Moisture Problem?
If you notice creaking floors, condensation developing on windows, or exacerbated allergy symptoms, your home's humidity levels may be out of whack. Low humidity levels can cause problems such as increased static electricity; respiratory problems; and cracking and peeling of furniture and paint, but purchasing an inexpensive humidifier for your home is an easy solution. However, high humidity levels are often a more challenging problem. If your home is too wet, it can be a breeding ground for mildew growth; stained ceilings and walls; and excess condensation on windows and mirrors. Those living in hot, humid climates may also find that their homes provide the optimal environment for pests such as termites.
All About Humidity Levels
We hear about humidity daily in weather reports, and humidity is often likened to that muggy, steam-room feeling you experience on a summer day. Humidity is usually expressed in ways such as absolute humidity and relative humidity. Absolute humidity refers to the mass of water vapor divided by the mass of dry air in a volume of air at a given temperature. As such, the hotter the air, the more water it contains.
On the other hand, relatively humidity refers to the ratio of the current absolute humidity to the highest possible absolute humidity. If an environment has 100 percent relative humidity, this means the air is saturated with water vapor and can hold no more moisture. As a result, this creates the possibility of rain. Overall, humans are quite sensitive to humidity because the skin relies on air to get rid of moisture. Sweating is your body's way of keeping cooling and maintaining its current temperature. This is why you feel much hotter than the actual temperature when humidity levels are high. Conversely, when there is low relatively humidity, you feel much cooler than the actual temperature because sweat is quickly evaporating and cooling us off. In other words, if the air temperature is 75 F with zero relative humidity, the temperature will feel like it's 69 F. However, if the relative humidity is 100 percent at the same air temperature, it will feel like it's 80 F.
With that in mind, according to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy, it is recommended that relative humidity be kept between 30% to 50% in the summer, and 30% to 40% in the winter. In order to measure humidity levels, you can purchase a small, inexpensive hygrometer (often called a humidity sensor or relative humidity indicator). This device measures the humidity level in your home and will confirm whether there is too little or too much humidity. Once you are aware of the humidity levels in your home, you can then decide if you need to take action.
Again, if your air is too dry, you can regulate moisture levels with a humidifier. However, if your air is too moist, a dehumidifier can help maintain the indoor relative humidity at the desired level, control musty odors, and protect furniture from water damage.
What is a Dehumidifier?
Dehumidifiers are household appliances that help reduce the humidity levels in the air. There are primarily two types of humidifiers - desiccant and mechanical.
Desiccant dehumidifiers (or passive dehumidifiers) are named for their use of a desiccative substance to dehumidify the air. This substance has an affinity for water vapor, and the dehumidifying process involves exposing the desiccant matter to an air stream with high relative humidity. These dehumidifiers do not utilize compressors and are best used in areas with low temperatures and relatively low humidity levels. Desiccant dehumidifiers can also be used instead of mechanical units or in combination with them. Although not as efficient as mechanical models, they are usually very inexpensive to purchase. Examples of desiccant dehumidifiers would be the Eva-Dry EH-500F and the Eva-Dry EDV300.
Mechanical dehumidifiers (or active dehumidifiers), however, are much more common, efficient, and are simply air conditioners with both the hot and cold coils in the same box. A fan draws the room's air over the cold coil of the AC to condense the moisture, and this is often collected into a bucket. Dry air will then pass through the hot coil to heat it back up to its original temperature. Therefore, mechanical dehumidifiers will slightly raise the air temperature, as opposed to air conditioners, which will cool the air as it dehumidifies it. Examples of mechanical dehumidifiers would be the NewAir AD-400 and the Soleus CFM40.
How to Buy a Dehumidifier
When shopping for a dehumidifier, there are several factors to consider such as the size of the unit, dehumidification capacity, and safety features. Below is a list of some of the most common things to look for when choosing a dehumidifier and what they mean to you:
Size: The size of a dehumidifier is generally based on the amount of moisture extracted from the air in 24 hours, which is usually measured in pints. Purchase a larger capacity model over a smaller one because larger units can dehumidify more area in a shorter amount of time. Furthermore, a dehumidifier with a smaller capacity may run continuously and still not lower the humidity to proper levels.
Portability: If you're looking to move your dehumidifier from room to room, look for a unit that is compact, lightweight, and includes a carrying handle or rolling casters.
Built-In Humidistat: If you'd like to be able to adjust different humidity levels, finding a dehumidifier with a humidistat is key. This feature will automatically turn the unit on/off depending on the humidity setting.
Automatic Shut-Off: This function will allow you to turn the unit on or off without having to unplug it, and it also prevents overfilling when the storage tank is full.
Low Temperature Operation / Automatic Defrost: If you may be using the dehumidifier in temperatures colder than 65 F, look for a unit that has an anti-frost sensor and can operate in cold temperatures. This prevents quick cycling and frost from accumulating on the sensor.
Storage Tank Capacity: Almost all dehumidifiers have storage tanks for the collected water. If you're not planning to purchase a model with a continuous drainage port, you'll have to empty the tank periodically. If the dehumidifier is to be placed in an area where you may not be able to empty it frequently, look for a tank size of at least 15 pints.
Continuous Drainage: Dehumidifiers with a continuous drainage port will eliminate the hassle of emptying a condensation tank. Simply attach a hose to the dehumidifier, and the moisture will drain out through the hose.
Washable / Removable Air Filter: Dehumidifiers that have washable filters trap airborne dust and particles. If the filter is washable, this makes maintenance a breeze: simply pull out the filter; rinse it with mild soap and water; and replace it back within the unit.

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8 Easy Steps For Buying A Dehumidifier

Dehumidifiers are great for removing excess moisture from your indoor air and achieving relative humidity levels. By making the air less moist, dehumidifiers can help to get rid of problems such as sinuses, skin problems, mold and mildew, rotting furniture etc. But in order to benefit from a dehumidifier, you first need to buy the right one for your home.
This buying guide lists all the important criteria that need to be considered when buying a dehumidifier.
Criteria For Selecting Dehumidifiers
1) Dehumidifier Size: It is important to buy the right sized dehumidifier for your home so that you can dehumidify air adequately and also do not end up wasting money with a larger-than-needed dehumidifier. So, here are the factors to consider for sizing your dehumidifier.
You have to measure the area of the room or your home, which needs to be dehumidified. Once you know the area in square feet, you have to select a unit which has the capacity to effectively dehumidify areas of that size. Remember that the capacity mentioned on the dehumidifier is what can be achieved in optimum test conditions, which are not likely to be present in your home. Thus, to be on the safe side, you should choose a dehumidifier with a moisture removal capacity that is slightly more than what is required by you.
Another important factor for sizing is the moisture content of your indoor air. Some rooms may be small in area but could have high moisture levels, thus needing a larger unit. Whereas some larger rooms with lower humidity levels could make do with a smaller dehumidifier. Thus, you should check the humidity levels in your home, ascertain how much moisture needs to be removed to obtain the desired humidity, and then choose a dehumidifier that has the capacity to remove that much moisture.
2) Outdoor Humidity: In addition to the humidity levels inside your home, you also have to consider outdoor humidity levels. If you live in areas with high natural humidity, you will require a larger unit than those who live where there is lower natural humidity (area being the same).
3) Standard v/s Low Temperature Dehumidifiers: If you live in areas where the temperature of the air that needs to be dehumidified is less than 60 degrees F, a standard dehumidifier is likely to be ineffective as its coils can frost up due to the low temperatures. In such a case, you will need to buy a unit that is a Low Temperature model. Such units are meant for use where temperatures can go as low as 45 degrees F, with no damage to the coils, and effective dehumidification.
4) Automatic Shut Off: With this option, your dehumidifier will automatically shut down when the water reservoir is full so that there is no overflowing of water. Thus, if you do not want to constantly keep checking the water bucket, you should choose a model with automatic shut off.
5) Continuous Drainage: Once the water bucket gets filled in your dehumidifier, you have to manually empty it out before starting the unit again. As large dehumidifiers can have water buckets with high capacities, it can get quite difficult to lift the heavy buckets and empty them. Thus, you should choose a unit with a continuous drainage system, or where you can attach a hose to the drain, especially if you require a large dehumidifier.
6) Built-in Hygrometer/ Humidstat: A hygrometer measures the exact humidity in the indoor air, whereas a humidstat helps to control humidity levels and maintain them within the desired range. Thus, if you want to ensure that relative humidity (from 45%-50%) is achieved, and if you wish to automatically maintain the achieved humidity levels, you should choose a dehumidifier with a built-in hygrometer and humidity control.
7) Ease of Use: Having a dehumidifier that is easy to use and can conveniently be moved from place to place is an important feature for many people. If you too wish to have ease of use, you should select a dehumidifier that has an automatic restart option, automatic defrost, castor wheels, and an overflow protection valve.
8) Energy Star Rating: It is all very well to keep your dehumidifier running continuously so that you can achieve proper moisture levels in your indoor air and be free from health problems, mold, fungi, etc. But when the inflated electricity bill arrives, that's when your problems return. So, wouldn't it be great if you could get a unit that works at its best and most effectively, that too by consuming as less energy as possible? Well, that is what the Energy Star rating is all about. Thus, if you do not want to worry about high electricity costs, it may well be worth your while to buy an Energy Star rated dehumidifier.

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Frigidaire 70 Pint Dehumidifier Review - One of the Best Dehumidifiers for Basements

The Frigidaire FAD704TDP 70 Pint Dehumidifier is one of the best dehumidifiers for basements among the many portable dehumidifiers on the market today. While no dehumidifier is flawless the Frigidaire 70 Pint Dehumidifier is one of the best all round performers, is competitively priced and very well thought of by the many consumers who have written dehumidifier reviews of the FAD704TDP.

The most common reason for buying a portable dehumidifier in the USA is for use in a basement. For this reason the majority of portable dehumidifier purchases are of larger capacity units, in the 50 to 70 pint range. Smaller dehumidifiers are less popular and their use is confined mainly to small areas of the home, with an isolated humidity problem, and areas outside the home, such as garages, workshops, vehicles (particularly RV's) and boats.

A large capacity portable dehumidifier is a perfectly good choice for use in a basement provided two important conditions are met. First, the basement must be small enough for the dehumidifier to control the humidity without having to run continuously; second, and even more important, the air temperature in the basement must remain at a minimum of 60F degrees (15-16C) at all, or almost all, times.

Let us take these two conditions in turn. If the area of your basement is too large for a 70 pint dehumidifier it will run all the time and struggle to maintain relative humidity at 50% or less, the level necessary to prevent mold and mildew and to restrict the dust mite population. The dehumidifier will be costly to run, will wear out within a year or two and will neither protect your property adequately nor control allergens to the level needed to safeguard those who are sensitive. If you consider buying two portable dehumidifiers for a larger basement my advice to you is don't. A purpose-built basement dehumidifier will always be less expensive in the longer term despite having a much higher ticket price.

If your basement temperature falls below 60F degrees and stays there for weeks and months at a time a portable dehumidifier is a very poor investment. Although portable dehumidifiers have an "auto-defrost" function this does not make them suitable for operation in low temperatures, it merely protects the appliance from damage. Once again you will get far better service and value for money from a basement dehumidifier which is designed and built to be effective at cooler temperatures.

So, if you have a reasonably warm basement that is not too large why should you consider a Frigidaire FAD704TDP 70 Pint Dehumidifier? It has all the features you would expect it to have; Energy Star certification, an adjustable humidity, continuous drainage capability, 24 hour timer, easy to use electronic controls, an anti-microbial filter, a digital humidity read-out and, of course, auto-defrost. The only thing missing is auto-restart, so if the power fail s you will have to restart it manually. None of these features is exceptional in a room dehumidifier but all are necessary or desirable. The FAD704TDP is also reasonably quiet, more reliable than most and an acceptable weight. All in all it is a well balanced appliance and is available from some retailers at under $200. This represents excellent value for money which is the principal reason why I recommend this dehumidifier.

If you wish to consider alternative brands I would recommend the Danby DDR7009REE 70 Pint Dehumidifier, about which I could make much the same remarks. It is available at a similar price and does include auto-restart. Of the foreign imports my favorite is the Winix 70 Pint Dehumidifier. This unit is in a similar class to the two US made models but is rather more expensive. It justifies its higher price by the inclusion of an integral condensate pump with a 15 foot vertical lift capacity so if you do not have a convenient, floor level drain you may wish to consider this dehumidifier; in my opinion among the best dehumidifier imports on the market.

The other alternative is to go for the less powerful Frigidaire FAD504TDD 50 Pint Dehumidifier. Unless you have a fairly small basement I would advise caution here. While the 50 pint model is as sound as its "big brother" the modest saving on the ticket price is likely to be wiped out by higher energy costs.

Smaller dehumidifiers use less energy per hour but are less energy efficient than larger units. This is true regardless of the manufacturer. The Energy factor of the Frigidaire 50 Pint Dehumidifier is 1.6 litres (of water) per kilowatt hour. The 70 pint model has an energy factor of 1.8L/kw hr (figures from Energy Star). This means that the 70 pint unit extracts 12.5% more water per kw hr than the 50 pint model. In any basement the 50 pint dehumidifier will run for more hours per day than the 70 pint unit. Unless your basement is comfortably wit hin the size range with which a 50 pint dehumidifier can deal easily it will be more effective, and cheaper, to buy the FAD704TDP.

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