5 Best Dehumidifiers for Cold Basements On The Market Today
Filed under: hvac
Cold basements always come with the issue of having to deal with mold and dampness. Since they are extremely water prone, mildew growth and bad odors in your cold basement is nothing new. Of course, it’s a tedious and annoying duty as humidity is hard to fight. For this reason, we have compiled a list of the best dehumidifiers for cold basements.
Nowadays, a good and high-quality dehumidifier is virtually the best option for the persistent issue of dealing with mold and high humidity. Such a device will help you eliminate the unwanted water moisture and prevent its further reemergence. However, knowing a few things about dehumidifiers is a must and a brief buyer’s guide will definitely put you on the right path.
In addition, there are tons of various dehumidifying products, especially on the online market. This prompts for a wiser and more carefully-executed purchase so as to comply with your exact needs. For this reason, we have reviewed 5 of the best dehumidifiers for cold basement for you.
How Dehumidifiers Work
Generally, what dehumidifiers do is to reduce and regulate the humidity levels in the ambient air. They are suitable for all kinds of rooms as well as larger areas where water moisture is present (e.g. swimming pools and warehouses). Depending on the model, the condensed moisture can be removed from the air either by collecting it into a basin or a bucket, or it can be pumped out.
Benefits of using dehumidifiers
Obviously, the most important benefit of using a dehumidifier at home is that it eliminates harmful bacteria and allergens. It’s not a secret that mold, mildew, dust mites and other thrive in humid environments. What’s more, molds may come in with bad odor which can be quite unpleasant. Dehumidifiers will relieve you from the unwanted smell in your basement or garage easily. As these are the most popular advantages of dehumidifiers, there are also many more secondary ones. Even your clothes will benefit from this as they will dry up much faster than before!
A Brief Buyer’s Guide
Types of Dehumidifiers
Usually, there are 3 main types of dehumidifier devices that you can find on the market: refrigerant dehumidifiers, dehumidifying ventilators and desiccant dehumidifiers. Depending on your needs and the conditions, they all have their advantages and disadvantages.
The first ones are the most common. They use a fan, a heat pump and heat exchange coils and by causing condensation, the moisture is collected from the air. The dehumidifying ventilator’s name is quite self-explanatory. Basically, it consists of a sensor and an exhaust fan which expel air outside. The desiccant dehumidifiers use chemicals to absorb moisture.
Specifications
As everything depends on one’s individual preferences, there are different criteria which you can go for. However, size, room temperature and capacity are definitely the most important factors. Choosing the dehumidifier according to the room’s size is crucial and it will save you tons of worries. Moreover, if you plan to use the dehumidifier in your cold basement, you should make sure that the device can actually work well in low room temperatures. Also, don’t forget the water collecting criteria – there are devices with different bucket capacities, as well as various features which help out when it comes to emptying them. In addition, dehumidifiers with hose connection or pumps are bound to make the process of drainage faster and more efficient.
Apart from these 3 main specs you should look for, there are also some secondary ones which may also affect your choice. Noisy devices can be really annoying, so buying a device that is noiseless will come in handy, especially if you use it in a room where you live. Another important thing is the warranty, which also should be taken into consideration. Last but not least, make sure the dehumidifier fits in your budget and is energy efficient.
Features
To your surprise, features like Auto-defrost and Auto-reset are quite standard and a must when it comes to choosing a high-quality dehumidifier. However, there are also other functions that may make your life easier, such as filter indicator, built-in pump or hose drain outlet. The latter two are really beneficial since having a way to continuously drain out the moisture will eliminate the need to empty out the bucket all the time.
5 Best Dehumidifiers for Cold Basement
Pros:
- Easy to move and store
- Compatible with Frigidaire Smart Appliance app
- Full Tank Alert feature
- Reusable filter
- Can be continuously drained so you don’t have to empty the water bucket
Cons:
- No pump included
- May be a bit noisier than other products in the category
Review:
Firstly, the Frigidaire FGAC7044U1 is definitely the most technology-oriented product on the list. It has tons of advantages which make up for convenient and effortless use of the 70-pint dehumidifier.
To prove a point, the device has Wi-Fi connectivity along with a special app from the manufacturer to make it as easy as possible. The FGAC7044U1 also has typical auto-restart and auto-shut-off features. But you can keep everything in check through your smartphone, so why worry about anything at all?
When talking about performance, the dehumidifier works efficiently and quietly. On top of that, there is a hose connection at the back of the unit which makes it very easy for you to drain out the moisture if you don’t want to use the bucket. Last but not least, there is a 5-year sealed system warranty and 1 year of full parts and labor service if anything happens to the device.
Pros:
- Noiseless
- Easy to use
- Has automatic shut off and restart functions
- Integrated 24-hour timer
- Digital speed, temperature and humidity level adjustment
- Less expensive compared to other dehumidifiers
Cons:
- Complains about the Auto-defrost feature malfunctioning
- Some devices may leak the collected moisture
- Not taking up the actually stated capacity
Review:
Clearly, this product is a beast when it comes to portability as its size is quite compact. On top of that, the hOmeLabs HME020031N can remove up to 70 pints of moisture a day and has a 9-gallon capacity. This is actually quite impressive, bearing in mind its small size.
Furthermore, the product has a few standard features like humidity level control, a timer, automatic shut off and restart functions. The device shuts off when the bucket is full and automatically restarts itself after it has been emptied which definitely add to the smooth operation of the dehumidifier.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Easy to install
- Effective and fast results
- Durable and has a long lifespan
Cons:
- Lacks water storage
- Somehow heavy
- Wrong diagram descriptions in the instruction manual
- Problems with the Auto-defrost feature
Review:
As an introduction, the Ivation IVALDH70PW is definitely the sturdiest of all products on the list. What’s more, it is also considered as a dehumidifier with quite a long lifespan. This product is surely made of high-quality materials and it also hints at the same type of performance.
As a result, you might end up having to empty the bucket a few times in order to keep the dehumidifier empty. However, the IVALDH70PW has a built-in water pump which can easily discharge the unwanted water wherever you need it to. The 70-pint anti-moisture appliance doesn’t have all the extras other dehumidifiers have, but its straightforwardness puts it in the list of the best dehumidifiers for cold basements and other large areas.
Pros:
- Durable construction
- Energy efficient
- Has built-in gravity drainage
- Quick and effective results
- Automatic turn off feature when the tank is full
Cons:
- Issues with the Auto-defrost feature
- Some complaints about popping noises after some time
- Lacks tank capacity
- Complains about poor warranty and customer service
- The device may start overheating after some time
Review:
To begin with, the Danby DDR070BDWDB is definitely among the most efficient dehumidifiers on the list. With its 515 watts of power, it is Energy Star certified and can easily work in large areas of up to 4,500 square feet. Producing only 50 dB of noise, this device is as quiet as a refrigerator.
Additionally, you get a fully portable dehumidifier with durable construction. The device can take up to 70 pints of moisture at a time but the full bucket alert will help you keep track of it.
If you have good gravity conditions, you can bypass the bucket and put a hose to drain the moisture in your floor drain or into your sink. The product also has an auto-defrost and auto-restart features. It can easily work at up to 5 degrees Celsius. What’s more, the manufacturer offers a 2-year warranty period for parts or labor.
Pros:
- Noiseless
- Easy to set up
- Easy to use
- Fast-working
- Energy-saving
- Very efficient for large basements
Cons:
- Somehow more expensive than the other dehumidifiers in the category
- Complains about the short lifespan
Review:
First of all, the TOSOT 70-pint Dehumidifier is really easy to move. Its power cord’s 2 meters length is long enough to allow free movement wherever you want. Moreover, the 4 caster wheels make the appliance very maneuverable. On top of that, the manufacturer has also ensured user-friendly LED display controls. The screen will tell you the room’s humidity level as well as the target level which can be set between 35 and 80 percent. There are also other extras which make the use of the dehumidifier easier than you have thought.
As for the technical specs, this device can easily collect 70 pints or 33 liters of moisture in a day. With its 8 pint-capacity, you will have to drain the bucket every 5 hours. But you won’t have to worry because the device has an auto shut off feature if you don’t do it on time. In addition, the filter is completely reusable and after 250 hours of use, you will get a “Clean Filter” indicator which will alert you to wash the filter before putting it back into the device.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, choosing the right product won’t be difficult anymore. With this list, you can easily pick one of the best dehumidifiers for cold basements and use it accordingly. You will no longer have to deal with allergies, dust, mold and mildew. After all, using reliable and high-quality home appliances is a must for everyone and it is our duty to provide the best out there for you to choose from.