Dehumidifiers
You’re moving to a new house next week after living with your parents for the past 20 years. Since you know that you are allergic to dust mites, pollens and molds (which coincidentally thrives in humid conditions), it’s time to buy a new electric home dehumidifier that are able to remove moisture effectively from the air, thereby inhibiting the growth of these allergens. Since health is of utmost importance to you, let us guide you along to some of the best dehumidifiers so that your allergic is a thing of the past.
Dehumidifier Buying Guide
1) Humidistat
Just like thermostat controls temperature, humidistat controls the relative humidity (RH) of the surrounding air. This gives you the option to set it at a level below 50%, which is often the required RH to control the growth of allergens. As not all dehumidifiers are fitted with humidistat controls, it is therefore advisable to look out for one that does.
2) Moisture Removal Rate (MRR)
This refers to the rate at which moisture (or water) is removed from the air at a predetermined time, usually expressed in gallons/day. The higher the number, the more efficient is the dehumidifier. But do take note that MRR works in conjunction with humidistat as you control at which level of RH you want to maintain. If you have a small house though, you might want to consider opting for a mini dehumidifier instead.
3) Energy Usage
Since dehumidifiers run continuously 24 hours per day non-stop, it is therefore logical & economically sensible to go for one that is energy star efficient but without compromising on quality. Typically dehumidifier operates between 50 - 200 watts, the lesser the better of course.
4) Noise Level
To some, this may seem trivial but since a dehumidifier runs all the time, even at night, it makes perfect sense that it should run smoothly and more importantly, quietly so that your sleep is not disturbed by the constant humming of the motor.
Dehumidifier Reviews & Ratings
We found no experts reviewing dehumidifiers anymore. The last done one by Consumer Reports was over 5 years ago. We had to rely on consumer reviews who wrote compelling reviews on some of the best dehumidifier makers such Bionaire, Comfort Aire, Delonghi, Ebac, Fedders, Frigidaire, Goldstar, Haier, Hampton Bay, Honeywell, LG, Maytag, Newair, Remington, Soleus and Whirlpool on the basis of moisture removal rate, energy usage and noise level to determine the best dehumidifiers in their respectively class.
Best Dehumidifier (Home)
Dehumidifier Reviews #1: The overwhelming favorite with excellent dehumidifier reviews from users and experts is the best rated Soleus Air CFM-40 E 40 Pint Dehumidifier with Humidistat. To keep rooms clean and dry effectively, it has to be this Soleus dehumidifier to make it a reality. This best dehumidifier from Soleus is able to remove moisture at 40 pints/day, enough for most homes. With adjustable humidistat, you can set RH at a level that is suitable in different conditions such as room, garage and basement while automatic defrost keeps the unit running even at low temperature, suitable for use during winter. Runs efficiently and more importantly very quiet so suitable for use even at bedrooms. With built-in wheels, carrying handle and weighs just 30.8 pounds, transferring to different parts of the house is a breeze. Unfortunately it consumes 330 watts of power so energy bills may run high.
Best Dehumidifier (Small Room)
Dehumidifier Reviews #2: Slowly climbing up the list with superb dehumidifier reviews from users and professional testers is the top rated Soleus Air CFM-25E 25-Pint Dehumidifier with Humidistat. Removes 25 pints/day moisture which is about right for small rooms. Comes with adjustable humidistat for RH control to suit individual preferences while automatic defrost keeps machine running even during cold season. Rotary compressor ensures efficient running and with low noise, it’s suitable for use in bedrooms as well.
Best Dehumidifier (Car)
Dehumidifier Reviews #3: Making its presence felt despite its small size with impressive dehumidifier reviews from users and experts is the best rated Newair ADS-300 Dehumidifier. With moisture removal rate of 10 ounces/day, it works perfectly in small rooms or closet but with car-kit adapter supplied, it is also portable for use in cars and trucks. Very energy efficient as it requires just 36 watts to be in operation. At a cost of less than $40, this best dehumidifier from Newair is value for money.
Resources: Dehumidifier (Wikipedia)