Best Dehumidifier for Your Basement
- March 31, 2021
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The best dehumidifier for your basement is the one that does the job most efficiently with the least amount of hassle. If your basement is normally dry but the air feels sticky when you’re not running the AC, a portable dehumidifier might do the trick. We are a big fan of installing ventilation devices like the EZBreathe instead of a dehumidifier whenever possible. Ventilation devices provide ventilation and dehumidification properties, reducing humidity by discharging cooler, humid air from the floor level along with airborne particulates. They also provide several whole-home air exchanges per day which is a nice benefit. However, sometimes homes are so humid that a ventilation device does not provide the dehumidification needed. This is when you have to turn to a dehumidifier.
If you have high basement humidity year-round, you may need a whole-house dehumidifier. That’s because a damp basement makes it harder for your HVAC system to heat and cool the rest of the home and to recirculate dry air to the basement.
Signs You May Need a Basement Dehumidifier
There are several telltale signs that you need a basement dehumidifier, including:
- A damp basement
- Consistently high basement humidity
- Poor ventilation
- Musty smell or visible mold, especially in the basement, or in corners of the first floor
Sometimes we recommend a whole-house dehumidifier when dehumidifiers are needed. Portable units simply don’t do the job very quickly and emptying the water reservoir regularly can be a hassle.
How a Whole House Dehumidifier Works
A whole-house dehumidifier integrates with your home’s HVAC system.
- A fan in the dehumidifier pulls the warm, humid air in.
- The air passes over a cooling coil in the dehumidifier.
- The moisture in the air condenses as it cools, creating condensation.
- The condensation drips into a drain pipe and exits the dehumidifier.
- A controller turns it on and off according to the set basement humidity level.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ideal indoor humidity should be between 30% and 50%. This will increase comfort, and reduce the chance of mold growth or pest infestation. You can easily check your basement humidity level with a handheld humidity meter called a hygrometer.
What to Look for in a Whole House Dehumidifier
If you’ve decided to explore your options in getting a whole house dehumidifier, there are several things to look for, including:
- Appropriate sizing for your home
- Capacity
- Energy efficiency
- Noises levels
- Drainage options (condensate pump, drain hose)
- High MERV air filter
- Auto restart after a power outage
- Length of warranty
Do your research and ask the professionals. You can also ask friends, family, or neighbors if they have a particular brand, how they like it, and if they’d recommend it. However, that’s where the advice ends because actually installing a whole-house dehumidifier is not a DIY job. You need a professional.
Our Recommendation
We highly recommend the Santa Fe whole-house dehumidifiers. We believe they are stronger and more reliable than other dehumidifiers. Full disclosure – we are an authorized dealer for their products, but we haven’t always been.
Santa Fe offers superior, commercial-grade dehumidifiers for your basement or crawl space. They are made in America, manufactured in Madison, Wisconsin. These dehumidifiers consistently rank at the top for energy efficiency and superior filtration and come with an unmatched 6-year warranty.
Santa Fe Products include a full range of dehumidifiers for basements, crawl spaces, existing homes, or new homes. You can select one based on the size of your home and the capacity. Capacity ranges from removing 70 pints of moisture per day to removing a whopping 210 pints a day.
Benefits of a Whole House Dehumidifier
There are many benefits to having a whole house dehumidifier, some more obvious than others. They include:
- Decrease basement humidity and regulate whole-house humidity
- Reduce allergens, dust mites, and insect infestations
- Quiet operation
- Help prevent mold and mildew
- Energy savings – since your central AC doesn’t have to work as hard
While you may want to get a whole-house dehumidifier even if you don’t have a damp basement, that is the most common reason to get one.
A Whole House Dehumidifier is Only Part of the Solution for a Humid Basement
Before investing in a whole house dehumidifier, it’s important to know the root cause of high basement humidity. Is it because it’s summertime and someone left the windows open? Or is it something more sinister? If you have a continually damp basement or you have experienced a flooded basement due to heavy rain, you may need to consider basement waterproofing.
For continued dampness and humidity problems, a whole-house dehumidifier is only one part of an overall solution. First, you need to manage any water intrusion that is causing the high humidity.
Schedule a FREE Basement Inspection Today
Value Dry Waterproofing has more than 20 years of experience in the basement waterproofing industry. Over the years, we’ve gained a reputation for integrity, honesty, quality work, and competitive pricing. If you’re considering a whole-house dehumidifier or basement waterproofing, we would welcome the opportunity to help you.
Schedule a free basement inspection by filling out the form, or call us at (888) 768-2583. We help homeowners in Maryland, Northern Virginia, and parts of Delaware.