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It's as simple as that: living in a damp basement isn't a good idea. However, depending on the structure of your home and your location, removing trapped humidity may be more difficult than it appears. Some people feel that a simple air conditioner or a built-in HVAC system can solve these issues on their own. Neither approach, however, offers the flexibility and situational productivity of a standalone dehumidifier.
As it turns out, this is doubly true for homes with an excessively humid basement. Mold and mildew can develop in these environments if the ambient humidity is permitted to enter enclosed spaces on a regular basis. A basement dehumidifier, when properly installed, can assist absorb this excess ambient moisture in a matter of hours, effectively preventing humidity from becoming an issue in your basement again.
However, as you might guess, not all dehumidifiers are created equal. Let's get right to the point – here's everything you need to know about choosing the Best Dehumidifiers For Basements.
5 BEST DEHUMIDIFIER FOR BASEMENTS
Energy Star 50-Pint Dehumidifier by FRIGIDAIRE
The FRIGIDAIRE gets the top rank for its combination of control, efficiency, and user-friendly features, making it the finest dehumidifier for basements out of a large choice of outstanding devices available. The 50-pint capacity compact unit is appropriate for rooms up to 1,500 square feet. A 24-hour programmer is installed, and in the case of a power interruption, it will immediately restart. A washable filter collects dust and dust mites, while a three-speed fan controls airflow.
The 16.9-pint bucket has a convenient carry handle and is front-mounted for easy access. To prevent overflowing, there is an automatic shut-off. Continuous drainage is possible with a built-in pump, but a hose must be purchased separately (an ordinary garden hose is fine). It has casters to make moving it easier, and at 42 pounds, it's not too hefty to carry upstairs if necessary.
Pros
- Certified by the Energy Star programme.
- There are three fan speeds available.
- For continual drainage, there's a built-in pump.
- Castor wheels make it portable.
Cons
- A drain hose is required and must be purchased separately.
hOmeLabs 4,500 Sq. Ft Energy Star Dehumidifier
For basements up to 4,500 square feet, a hOmeLabs humidifier is a cost-effective option. It has a 24-hour timer, overflow prevention, automatic restart, and a washable air filter, all of which you'd expect from high-quality equipment. There's also a defrost option and a turbofan to help remove moisture.
hOmeLabs incorporated a 'Comfort' button to make their humidifier as simple to operate as possible. Once set to the proper humidity level, the device will keep that balance running 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or until the tank is empty. It is possible to have continuous drainage (hose not included). The bucket has a capacity of 1.6 gallons. The plastic used in its construction is a little flimsier than we'd like, and the handle attachment isn't very sturdy.
Pros
- The model is reasonably priced.
- The humidity level is automatically adjusted.
- Fan control with a turbo boost.
- Defrost is a feature that allows you to defrost your food.
- With the use of a hose, continuous draining is possible.
Cons
- The drain hose is not included.
- The bucket and handle might be made more durable.
GE 22 pt. Dehumidifier for Rooms up to 500 sq. ft.
This compact 22 pint GE humidifier may be the ideal choice for those with smaller basements, but despite its modest price, it offers all of the capabilities found on the top basement dehumidifiers. The on/off timer and humidity level are controlled via the top-mounted LCD screen. The Smart Dry function allows the dehumidifier to run on its own once the latter has been set. When necessary, the three-speed fan increases airflow.
A washable filter collects dust. Should power be lost, the unit will automatically resume and defrost. Buckets usually feature an overflow valve, but the GE humidifier's front-mounted bucket also has an audio alarm. It has a capacity of 8.5 pints.
Pros
- Compact and unobtrusive.
- It's a quiet business.
- There are three fan speeds available.
- When the bucket is filled, an alarm sounds.
Cons
- For places that aren't quite as big as a living room.
- The drain pipe is not included in the package.
Vremi 22 Pint 1,500 Sq. Ft. Dehumidifier Energy Star
The small Vremi dehumidifier is incredibly light, weighing only 33 pounds. Handles fitted at the top of the case improve portability. Despite this, it has all of the functionality you'd expect from a much larger device.
The Vremi's humidity can be adjusted via the control panel, but it's primarily meant for unattended operation. It will operate until the tank is full, at which point it will cut off until the tank is emptied. There's also an anti-frost option, as well as an auto-restart and a timeout. The only true drawback to this otherwise great and reasonably priced gadget is an 8-pint bucket that may need to be emptied frequently.
Pros
- Excellent value for money.
- Designed for usage in unattended basements.
- It's small and light.
- Setting to prevent frost.
Cons
- Other variants are quieter.
- The bucket is quite little.
BEST DEHUMIDIFIER FOR BASEMENTS- BUYING GUIDE
What to Look for When Buying a Basement Dehumidifier
When it comes to the question, "What is the best dehumidifier for a basement?" Special aspects to look for in products like these must be considered. The features, kind, capacity, and convenience of use of each product for the best dehumidifier for basements may differ substantially. Consider the size of our room and how much humidity is appropriate for your needs before choosing a dehumidifier.
Type
Dehumidifiers work in a variety of ways, and some are more suited to the high humidity levels found in basements than others. Some of the most frequent types of basement humidifiers are as follows:
Dehumidifiers using compressors: Most basement dehumidifiers use a compressor to power a fan that draws air over cool coils, forcing moisture to condense (like droplets on the outside of a cold drink). The droplets then fall into a tank, which must be emptied on a regular basis, or into a drain hose, which must be connected to a floor drain. A compressor dehumidifier maybe your best option for basements or crawl spaces with excessive humidity.
Desiccant dehumidifiers: This type of dehumidifier draws wet air via a desiccant material filter (a chemical drying agent). The moisture is trapped by the desiccant, which drops into a collection tank. Desiccant dehumidifiers can manage moisture levels in small rooms above ground, but they may not be powerful enough to control moisture levels in basements.
Thermo-electric dehumidifiers: Also known as "Peltier dehumidifiers," after physicist Jean Charles Peltier, who invented the thermo-electric method of extracting moisture from the air, these units work by drawing moist air along the surface of small heated surfaces (called "sinks"), where it collects and then drips into a collection tank. Thermo-electric dehumidifiers work best in warm environments and are often tiny. They might be the greatest basement dehumidifiers for tiny rooms, but they might not be the ideal choice for a large or cool basement.
Cost and Capacity
Dehumidifiers are classified according to their capability (how much water they can remove from the air per day.) Despite the fact that they are branded "small, medium, and big," the size of their collection tank has no bearing on their power. The capacity of a collection tank ranges from one to three gallons, and the more powerful the dehumidifier, the higher the capacity. A large-capacity dehumidifier is required to eliminate the high levels of humidity found in many basements.
Drainage
Although all dehumidifiers include collection tanks, some versions also allow you to connect a drainage hose (usually a normal garden hose) to transfer collected moisture into a floor drain. When the collecting tank is full, the unit will automatically shut off, therefore if you won't be able to empty it every day, you should get a unit with a drain hose.
While a big capacity dehumidifier can collect up to 75 pints per day, tanks typically contain up to three gallons to enable easy, frequent emptying—only the strongest bodybuilder would want to carry a 75-pound collecting tank around!
Additional Features
Dehumidifiers all have three main humidity settings: normal, dry, and very dry. However, the best basement dehumidifiers have additional characteristics that you could find handy.
- You may choose the required humidity level using digital controls, such as 35% or 45% humidity. When the moisture level in the room reaches the predetermined level, the machine will turn off automatically and then on as needed.
- Timers allow you to schedule the dehumidifier to switch on and off automatically at a defined time, eliminating the need to do so manually.
- Auto-restart or memory: Many of the most humid months are accompanied by thunderstorms, which frequently cause power outages. Some models with auto-restart or memory functions will remember their previous settings and continue working where they left off before the power interruption.
- Collection tanks that are easy to carry and have a well-designed spout that allows you to dump water without spilling.
- To save energy, frost sensors detect frost formation and turn the machine off. When a compressor unit runs for an extended period of time, frost can form on the coils, reducing the efficacy of the dehumidifier. While a unit with frost buildup will continue to run, it will not be as effective at removing moisture from the air. After the coils have defrosted, some models have a restart feature that switches the device back on.
- When the water level in your tank is approaching or has achieved maximum capacity, water level sensors notify you. Although most models emit an audible alarm, some models can also send you a notification via your smartphone.
- Humidistats, sometimes known as "hygrostats," are devices that monitor the humidity in the air and use that information to control excess moisture. The humidistat will automatically change its operation to keep your room at the desired moisture level once a humidity level has been programmed into your dehumidifier.
- Portable dehumidifiers normally come with wheels, allowing you to carry them around with ease.
