sizing a dehumidifier

[dpal]

I want to put a dehumidifier in my newly finished basement. I think I'm just going to buy an LG from HD ... it's the most convenient.

There are 2 models: 45 pints/day ($179) and 65 pints/day ($219).

My basement is about 800 square feet. The sizing chart says that for 1000sf @ "extremely wet" a dehumidifer should be able to pull 30 pints in 24 hours. That suggests that the 45 pint/day unit would be fine -- actually oversized for my needs ...

... but that's just going by the chart.

Any advantage/need to bump up to the 65? (The unit is actually the same size with the same capacity bucket, just a little different in the guts.)

[DaveS]

I have the LG 65 pint'er, and it does a fine job. I got the bigger model because my basement is pretty big (1500 square feet, just one big room currently).


It is louder than I would like, but still pretty quiet.

The one on the website claims it only works above 65 degrees, while the smaller unit says it works to 42 degrees (although I'm fairly certain the one I bought works below 65, so perhaps there are two models?). The bigger one has 120cfm, whereas the littler one only does 100cfm.

If your basement gets "extra humid" during the rainy season, consider getting the bigger unit, otherwise, the smaller one should be fine.

Also, consider that 1000 square feet assumes one big 1000 square feet room - if you have halls, and doors, and rooms, it may not do as well as they claim.

If you don't have a place to put it where you can just connect the drain hose to a drain, then you will be dumping the bucket a lot, at least every day, depending on the humidity in your basement.

Personally, when I re-do the basement next year, I'm going to run additional ducts to the utility room, and buy a dedicated ducted dehumidifier ($1000-$1500) to do this job.

[RAV2]

Bigger is better - can turn down/use auto settings that will stop the unit when the desired humidity level is reached. Shut down mine one winter season in new england and when I finally turned it on - all the wrapping paper and other items in the basement were unuseable (smell). Tools also see rust.

Get the low temp basement model - it defrosts and is more efficent at removing water at lower room temps (does use more energy).

Go for energy star.

Mine is mounted at ceiling height and drains into the laundry drain. Do this the day you get it. My mom will not let me do this to hers and it is always full.

YMMV - check consumer reports.

[Schleeper]

I just had to replace the LG 65 pint model we've been using for the last 20 months. (Burned out the fan motor.) I bought it reconditioned off eBay for $100, and paid another $16 for a 3 year service agreement. When I contacted the outfit that sold me the service contract, they sent me back my $100 purchase price, saying it wasn't worth repairing.

When it worked, it kept our unfinished basement dry. Very noisy, however, and it ran most of the time.

I bought a new Delongi 50 pint from Costco and it appears to be laboring. I have it set at 45%, and I don't think it has tuned off once.

[eccentrictinkerer]

Dehumidifiers can be the most expensive appliance to operate. When we moved into our present home 35 years ago here in Minneapolis, I tried running a dehumidifier to reduce the musty smell, humidity and tool rust.

It cost a lot to run and worked fairly well. Thirty years ago I found an old Popular Mechanics magazine that showed a homemade ventilation system that helped the situation.

I had just saved the 1/12 hp fan assembly from a worn out humifier. I mounted the fan onto a plexiglass sheet that fit a basement window opening.

I then opened a window on the opposite side of the basement. Here in Minnesota we have many hot, humid days all summer. By pulling the air quickly through the basement it virtually eliminates the mustiness and humidity.

The system has been running May to late September for 30 years with no problems (replaced the fan 3 times ).

I've helped my SIL's install similar systems in their homes and they've had the same results. Much cheaper to run and splendid results.