Our Complete Guide To Finding The Ideal Air Dehumidifier
Contents
If you’re in the market for the ideal air dehumidifier, you probably already know the main purpose of what they do.
However, with all the various brands, models and features of the units currently out, and all the home dehumidifier reviews I’m sure you’ve already looked at, you might be finding yourself confused as to which one to go with.
While the basic dehumidifiers might provide you with just simply that, better models provide you with humidity control settings, different energy levels and continuous functionality features.
Whether or not this is what you need is up to you.
Whatever your reason for purchasing one, whether it’s to simply reduce the level of humidity (duh!), or to lower your risk of sickness from mold and mildew growth in your house, we've done the research for you and have named the winner.
The EPA advises keeping indoor humidity below 60 percent, ideally between 30 and 50 percent, to help prevent mold.
What Makes a Great Dehumidifier?
If you’re looking for a dehumidifier for your home, you’d be right to go with a more moderate-sized one.
The smaller ones work great for controlling the humidity level of fairly small sized rooms but have the advantage of being very quiet.
Some more moderate sized dehumidifiers are still relatively quiet, however. This is a big factor to consider.
Sound levels can range from a low audible background noise (think light traffic outside) to loud conversation.
You’ll also want it to be fairly portable. That will mean you can move it around your house if you need to change locations for whatever reason.
Many ideal air dehumidifiers (good ones at least) should have wheels at the bottom for easy relocation.
If the one you’re looking at doesn’t, it’s time to reconsider.
Storage capacity for the water tank is an important factor to look at too. You don’t want to have to constantly empty the water tank if the humidity level in your house is high.
Many of the best dehumidifiers have an automatic tank emptying system that will even do it for you. Convenience is key with these models.
Frigidaire 30/50/70 Pint Dehumidifier
The Frigidaire is a beast of a household dehumidifier.
If you’re considering a moderate sized machine for your home it's a well-known option to consider.
Its attractive design won’t be an eyesore in your home.
By lowering humidity, the Frigidaire can help discourage mold and mildew, which can aggravate breathing problems in some people.
Keep in mind that a dehumidifier is not an air purifier: it removes moisture, not smoke or dust.
If your home stays damp, a dehumidifier is worth considering.
This model has come in 30, 50 and 70-pint sizes.
Those numbers describe how much moisture the unit can remove in 24 hours, as ENERGY STAR explains, not the size of its water bucket.
You also have the option of having it drain automatically for you (provided it’s near a suitable drain).
It also uses a standard 115v power outlet.
While not just controlling the humidity in the room at its own discretion, the Frigidaire actually gives you the choice of selecting what level of humidity you want.
It has a 24-hour on and off timer and a control lock.
Pros And Cons
This dehumidifier has few drawbacks. For a unit of this more moderate size, it’s still fairly quiet.
If you’re putting this unit in some place fairly open, you should have no issue with the sound.
Check that the exact model you buy is ENERGY STAR certified. Certified dehumidifiers use about 20% less energy than similar conventional units.
This machine is truly a setup-and-go model. You can literally almost set it and forget it with its auto drain function. That makes it perfect as an almost maintenance-free machine.
Wrapping It Up
If you’re putting the Frigidaire near a drain and taking advantage of the continuous function feature, the 30 or 50 pint are great choices.
However, if you aren’t locating it near a drain, the 70-pint model may be best. That will help you prevent frequent emptying depending on the humidity level in your house.
You absolutely can’t go wrong with the Frigidaire as your ideal air dehumidifier, no matter which model size you choose.
Sources
- A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home, US EPA
- Dehumidifiers, ENERGY STAR
