A dehumidifier for the basement is your best defense in the fight against high humidity conditions. These devices remove moisture from the air to avoid mold, mildew, and uncomfortable conditions. Dehumidifiers are the perfect solution for a variety of areas in your home, from your kitchen to your basement or garage. They are available in different types as well as sizes to fulfill various needs.
Is A Dehumidifier Good For A Basement?
The answer is yes, a dehumidifier is good for the basement. In spaces that are inherently damper, such as basements and crawl spaces, a dehumidifier will help dry the air, decreasing musty odors and controlling mold growth and other issues caused by excess moisture. A basement dehumidifier helps keep an ideal indoor relative humidity (RH) level in the area.
What Happens If You Don’t Use A Dehumidifier In The Basement?
The basement area can become excessively moist if you don’t use a dehumidifier. Too much moisture in the air can generate airborne allergens such as dust mites and mold spores to spread. This can make your home uncomfortable, particularly for people who are prone to allergies.
How Long Does It Take For A Dehumidifier To Dry Basement?
A dehumidifier usually takes around a few days to a week to control the moisture in the basement area. This time will also depend on the size of the dehumidifier you have.
What To Look For When Buying A Dehumidifier?
Pint Capacity
Pint capacity is the quantity of moisture in pints that a dehumidifier device can remove from the surrounding space in 24 hours. This capacity is influenced by the size of the space and the initial moisture within that space.
Collection Tank Or Collection Bucket
Most home or residential dehumidifier models have an inner collection tank or bucket that can be drawn out for easy disposal of collected water. Once a dehumidifier removes enough moisture to fill the collection tank, the tank must be emptied.
Electronic Or Manual Controls
Most models on the market today feature electronic controls. The difference between the two is that electronic controls generally comprise of settings controlled through a “button” type interface whereas manual controls consist of settings managed through a “dial”. One thing to note is that if power is interrupted, an electronically managed model will turn off and will require to be manually switched back on.
Auto-Restart
Auto-restart is a feature that can be helpful during power failures or interruptions. If the device loses power, the auto-restart feature automatically turns the unit back on at its previous settings once power is fixed.
Air Filter
Air filters are an optional accessory that works to help clean air being drawn into the dehumidifier. The basic procedure is that air is passed through the machine and through the filter, and moisture is removed from the air and gathered in the collection tank. The clean air is exhausted back out through the unit.
Noise Level
A quiet dehumidifier is much better than a noisy one but it is not a necessity. These devices are normally noisier than other home appliances, and while many would not consider a decibel rating of 50 decibels to be quiet, it would be believed quiet for a device like a dehumidifier.
Portability
Portable units are smaller in size, weigh less, and usually come with wheels or a carrying handle. They are perfect for those who want the ability to move this machine about freely and don’t want a fixed installation.
There are also many benefits of using a dehumidifier that you can read about in our blog on the benefits of a dehumidifier.
Top 5 Dehumidifier For Basements
Frigidaire Dehumidifier
Frigidaire Dehumidifier reviews claim that it comes with an automatic shut-off feature that prevents any overflow of water. This model also comes with 3 fan speeds that make it easy to maximize comfort level by minimizing moisture. It also helps remove up to 35 pints of water per day drying the air quickly and efficiently.
hOmeLabs 3,000 Sq. Ft Energy Star Dehumidifier
hOmeLabs 3,000 Sq. Ft Energy Star Dehumidifier comes with an intuitive touch control panel that makes it easy to operate. The dehumidifier helps remove up to 35 pints of moisture efficiently from areas up to 300 sq. ft. The built-in pump compressor of this model removes a huge amount of moisture and odor.
Waykar 40 Pint Dehumidifier
Waykar 40 Pint Dehumidifier features 2.5 liters huge-capacity water tank that can remove up to 34 pints of moisture per day. Its 24-hour timer setting helps in reducing energy consumption. It is also available at a discount of $70 during the sale. This model also comes with 6.56 feet long drain hose for easy water draining.
yaufey 30 Pint Dehumidifier
yaufey 30 Pint Dehumidifier features a light-touch intelligent control panel that allows seeing the operating settings at a glance. It is suitable for the basement, home, bathroom, bedroom, garage, and more. Its built-in wheels and handles make maneuvering easier. The low-noise design of this model will get you far away from disturbing noise when sleeping or studying.
Kesnos 4500 Sq. Ft Dehumidifier
Kesnos 4500 Sq. Ft Dehumidifier is the perfect dehumidifier for bathrooms, homes, offices, etc. This portable dehumidifier is designed with a sleek and modern look. It can also detect frost and defrost automatically. This model also allows you to preset the time to turn the on or off the machine.
You can also have a look at the best dehumidifiers for the basement in our blog.
Pros And Cons Of Dehumidifiers
Pros:
- Helps to prevent allergens as well as dust mites.
- Makes you feel comfortable by lowering humidity.
Cons:
- They are noisy and can also heat up the space in summer.
- Using these machines on a regular basis can increase your electricity bill.
Frigidaire Dehumidifiers are also common household appliances. They manage humidity in homes, offices, as well as other buildings. Read our blog on frigidaire dehumidifiers to know more.
Conclusion
Dehumidifiers extract water vapor from the air and reduce the relative humidity in your home. There is a wide variety of brands as well as styles out there, and selecting the right model can be time-consuming and difficult. Knowing the space you have and the design you need will help you make a better purchase.
AESA rates and reviews hundreds of best dehumidifiers and top dehumidifier accessories on the basis of their size, design, and build quality.