Dehumidifier for basement layout area

We recently purchased a 50 pint Danby from Costco for $180, with a pump, delivered.

I've had terrible luck with Danby models, I've never gotten two full years out of one.  I currently have a Frigidaire and a TCL, the TCL has already been replaced under warranty, the pump croaked.  However, since the actual unit was still working fine without the pump, I did get a free dehumidifier.  The Frigidaire is about three years old, still working fine.

Beware, there is a huge recall on dehumidifiers due to a fire hazard.

https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2...due-to-fire-and-burn

Hey CSXJOE, Thanks for the heads up!

Looks like my dehumidifier made the TOP 21 list! Just unplugged it. I think mine is going on it's third season. The pump crapped out after a year! I think any unit with a pump never lasts longer than a year, the pump anyway, which has been my experience. I bought mine at Costco & have returned at least 5 in 10 years or more for a replacement or refund. I hope they'll be just as cooperative this time.

The best one I ever had was a hand me down from my in-laws which was a Sears Kenmore brand. No pump, but I used it for 10 years. I took it to the dump when I got my first De'Longhi with a pump. A PUMP, what a great idea! I was sold & off to the dump with the Kenmore. That was 15 years ago & 5 replacements or more later!!! I bet the Kenmore would still be running.

The almost funny thing is, outside of the different angle & location I took my photo at, the listed picture could be my unit. I never even removed the hang down tag. With 21 units on the list, what's left to replace them? Any suggestions.

Thanks,

Joe (ironman1)

I have a GE 50 pint (model APEL50LZ) that I've been happy with.

You can gravity drain it, or it use the built-in pump that automatically drains the bucket and can lift the water up to 16ft.

I have a GE that is over 6 years old.  No pump.  I drain into the house sump pump well. You should dehumidify the entire basement not just the layout area.

I never thought I would need one until this year. Around here, July was the wettest in 150 years or something. Seems to be running around 55% humidity in the basement and that does get some central a/c but no returns so it hasn't kept up.

I would caution buying a dehumidifier that only covers the layout area.  Unless the layout is in an airtight room the humid air will migrate to the dryer area.  You may not be able to get the humidity down to your desired level

Joe, yes i was aware of the recall ,thanks for reminding me about it.

Jay frances ,I have a costco 5 minutes from my house ,good to know they have the Danby if i decide to get one again.

John ,as i said i had mine for 8 years without any problems ,just looking to see what other brands might be good to get ,also mine was a 70 pint model ,but my total basement area is about 970',so a 40 or 50 pint model should be more than enough for my area since these models are suppose to do a much larger area than i have ,plus my basement is all open froom the front of my house to the rear of my house .

One option i was thinking about is repairing it myself ,the problem i have is when i press the power button it doesn't start so i took the front & back off thinking it would be just a single switch to replace ,but after looking at the parts list it is a whole circuit board to replace ,i didn't get that far to where the board is i am not sure how to get to the board itself ,i am going to call the company today & see what they say ,the board itself is only $ 43.00 .The other thing i found was when i took the front off the part i call looks like the radiator on a car was covered with what looked like dirt caked on it ,it came off easy with an old paint brush ,i don't know what that was all about .So even if i decide to get a new one ,i may order the board anyhow just to see if i can get it running again & if it still doesn't work it only cost me $ 43.00 ,it would be a learning experience for me .

I guess I'll see if Costco has a replacement not on the list otherwise I think I'll go with a GE. Thanks for the suggestions.

Gerald since you're aware of the recall I'm sure you checked the list to make sure your model isn't on it, otherwise maybe you get a "free" replacement.

I would also check this site since it includes the specific range of serial numbers affected for each model. https://www.recallrtr.com/nwtdehumidifier

We bought this Frigidaire model and are happy with it, but needed a 2nd one to keep the basement summer humidity under 50%.

John Hun -coach joe Yes ,i did check to see if mine was on the recall list & it wasn't . Question ; The ones that come with a pump can i just use the gravity drain without having the pump on ? i don't need a pump for my needs .

@Gerald Marafioti posted:

John Hun -coach joe Yes ,i did check to see if mine was on the recall list & it wasn't . Question ; The ones that come with a pump can i just use the gravity drain without having the pump on ? i don't need a pump for my needs .

Yes, the model I posted also has the traditional drain hose hookup & that's how we use it.

Just a heads up that the DOE has changed its "capacity" guidelines for dehumidifiers effective 2020, so that a new 35 pint unit is the equivalent of an older 50 pint unit and a new 50 pint unit is the equivalent as an old 70 pint unit and so forth; so if you're replacing an older unit with a newer one, a smaller capacity dehumidifier may work just as well.

Additional Information about Dehumidifier Testing and Capacity | Products | ENERGY STAR

Quick update ,i have found a 50 pint Dandy dehumidifier with gravity drain hose from a place named SYLVANE ,the unit was selling from $ 250.00 to $ 285.00 at other places ,i paid $ 209.00 ,plus free shipping  i hope this one last as long as the other one i had . I still may take the old one apart & see if i can get the old circuit board out without destroying the unit & put a new one in ,as i said before it cost $ 43.00 for a new one ,but first i have to see if i can the old one out ,if not then off to the scrap yard !!!!!!

My 30 pint per day 2015 Frigidaire dehumidifier removes more than the rated 30p/d in my garage.

The quantity of water remove from the air is dependent on the humidity of the air it is operating in.  The higher the humidity (water) of the air the more water per hour is removed.

Humidity is not in short supply here and basements do not exist on the Gulf coast or deep south.  Air Conditioning's major uses here are to cool the house air and to remove humidity.  Dehumidifiers are small air conditioners that remove water from the air and return the dryer and warmer air to the room.

Charlie

Well ,i took the old unit apart again ,this time i did get to where the circuitboard was ,but boy did i have a hard time ,i may have done a little more damage in the process so i decided not to order the new board ,but once i did get to the board it would have been very easy to put the new one in ,all i would have to do is unplug the old board & plug in the new one ,remember one thing i have no way to know if the board is the problem ,that is way over my pay grade ,it could be the compressor that to is above my pay grade  ,if i had to do it again i think i would be able able to do it without doing more damage .Either way it an interesting small project .

I was going to mention the newest CPSC (Aug 9, 2021) recall, but CSXJoe has already done that.  One thing to keep in mind, folks; I don't think there is ANY dehumidifier from the last 10/15+ years NOT made in China.  And despite the fact that they may still carry familiar, beloved "American" brand names like G.E., Frigidaire or Westinghouse, they are of suspicious quality, safety & durability.  As some have mentioned, you may be lucky to get one of these newer pieces of junk to last a year or two, but along the way, there will likely be U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recalls-  usually for quality-related issues that could result in a fire in your home!   I've needed a new dehumidifier for several years now, but have done without one as I don't trust any of them.

I’ve had Sears Kenmore brand dehumidifiers in the past.

Only trouble I’ve had with them were the units  leaked out their Freon .

I have an Oasis brand now that was seldom used at my late uncles house . I’ve  have had it for six years now with zero issues .

I have had this brand:    "https://www.sylvane.com/santa-fe-advance90-dehumidifier.html"      working in the 30 x 30 basement and adjoining finished space of the same size, only it's a 4' "crawl space", for almost three years without any problems, change out the filter every 6 months.

I purchased the 70 pint, Aprilaire dehumidifier about 3 years ago, American made, detailed maintenance and parts manual. I run this dehumidifier, almost constantly, from late May until mid-October, large ranch house basement in Northern Indiana, humidity level 45 to 50%.. This dehumidifier is not vertical but horizonal on casters, air intake screen is probably stainless steel, water rinse  clean one or twice each operating season, unit drains condensate to sump pump well with a plastic drain line.

For those of you who have wood floors in your humidity controlled room check with your floors manufacture as to their recommended humidity levels.   The floors which I sold specified a 35% to 55% year round humidity range.  If upon complaint and subsequent on site inspection the numbers fell out of that range your warranty was null and void.

Not that RRers have wood floors but additionally I mention it because those numbers establish a healthy range within which lumber lives well.

Also, when you purchase lumber check it's moisture level at time of purchase.  Quite possibly it will be in the teens.  Once you get it home acclimate it (aprox 3 days) and try not to cut or build anything until it is in the high single digits,  8-9% for best finished product.

Moisture meters are relatively inexpensive, warped layouts are not inexpensive.

@RadioRon posted:

I've needed a new dehumidifier for several years now, but have done without one as I don't trust any of them.

That's one way to deal with the issue, but since I need two of them to keep the humidity in the 40-45% range, I cross my fingers and use my two units.  My concession to any possible issues is an alarm system that is linked to a central station for fire, flood, or burglar alarms.  The train room has two fire alarm sensors.

I have two dehumidifier units running - one in the main train room and one in the utility room. They're both Arctic King models from Walmart - and both have powerful multi-variable fans which is a good feature as air circulation in basements is important. I also have 3 small germ ionizers positioned around the basement. The dehumidifiers are both Energy Star rated and don't use much KWh ~ about $10/month in summer total. I have a smoke alarm in the main train room, and this topic reminds me I should get one for the utility room as well.

I also have my home's main AC unit tied into the main train room via two outlets and one return - I cannot emphasize how important this is...basements, in the mid-Atlantic region, probably elsewhere too, need AC otherwise the air will just get warmer from the dehumidifiers and draw moisture in, creating a positive feedback loop. Dehumidifying the basement air also helps the main AC house unit, i.e., it doesn't have to run as often.

FWIW: I did as much as I could to control water from getting into the basement prior to finishing it but around my neck of the woods we get lots of precipitation and you never know what can happen.

@Paul Kallus posted:

I also have my home's main AC unit tied into the main train room via two outlets and one return - I cannot emphasize how important this is...basements, in the mid-Atlantic region, probably elsewhere too, need AC otherwise the air will just get warmer from the dehumidifiers and draw moisture in, creating a positive feedback loop. Dehumidifying the basement air also helps the main AC house unit, i.e., it doesn't have to run as often.

Got the A/C covered.   If it gets too warm down here, I just kick this unit on.  Works in the winter if it gets too cold as well.

In this 2K sq. ft. cave I punched four supplies in the ceiling duct and positioned returns just above the floor.  Very comfortable year round.  As a side benefit I find the main floor on my wife's level to have warm floors in the winter.

I am keeping an open ceiling.  The bays are getting filled with black, purple, orange, blue, white, yellow and green boxes.

Seems to be a scarcity of dehumidifier stock out there.

My basement was getting too cold in the late spring when the A/C was in use.  To fix that, I blocked off all the vents from the main system and installed the ductless heatpump unit that I control.  As Tom can attest, the A/C down here works fine independently of the main unit, and I have full control of my climate.

Went to replace one of the recalled units in my cave only to find somewhat of a scarcity in the retail market place locally.   Scored one in a Delaware Lowe's.  They had a good stock of Hisense available, no sale tax.  Quiet little bugger.

I had no problem finding that my dehumidifier was recalled & got my refund from Costco. Now trying to find one to replace it that I know hasn't been recalled. So, if it's not on the list, is it safe to assume it's ok?

A number of members have mentioned I have, this brand & I'm happy. Does that mean it wasn't recalled? I've been checking out BestBuy, Home Depot & Lowes & for the life of me the ones that I'm interested aren't on the list. Are they not going to burn down my house?

See attached.

frigidaire

I use the hOmeLabs 4,500 square feet unit from Amazon. It seems to work well as the basement is very dry. In the reviews people rate it for being very quiet. I don’t hear it upstairs at all but when I’m in the basement I hear it.

Beyond the make/model placing the unit where there is plenty of air flow around it is important.  Also cleaning the filter on a regular basis is key.

@CSXJOE posted:

Beware, there is a huge recall on dehumidifiers due to a fire hazard.

https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2...due-to-fire

-and-burn

Hey Joe, Another thanks for the warning on the dehumidifier recall. Not only did I unplug that fire hazard and replace it, but when I took the old one back to Lowe's yesterday I was given a 100% refund of the purchase price.  

If I had put 2 and 2 together I could have thanked you in person at the Strasburg train show.

Our building code requires that all electric outlets in a basement must be protected by a GFI switch.

Anybody have any problems with their dehumidifier tripping a GFI switch every time the pump kicks in?

Am thinking about putting a new dedicated 20 Amp line in, and plugging in a new AprilAire 100 dehumidifier. It will have to have a GFI switch, and I am just hoping I won 't have a tripping problem.  Especially since this is a $1,200 unit.

Thx,

Mannyrock

YES!

Generally speaking I follow building codes closely.  However I do not use a GFI / GFCI for a sump pump or a dehumidifier.

GFI / GFCI outlets are not known as having indefinite reliability.

Yes, I am well aware of the dead ground of water.

I have the Frigidaire unit listed earlier in this thread.  The only problem with Frigidaire units is that they development refrigerant leaks.  I've gone through about 3 of them already.  Frigidaire now does a direct replacement once you send them the requested info.  As far as performance goes, the humidistat in the unit is dead on.  I had a Hisense that I purchased several months ago from COSTCO.  What a POS.  It could never maintain anything close to the selected humidity.  It would either shutoff too soon or keep running well beyond the selected humidity level.  It also had a bad "habit" of popping the circuit breaker on my breaker panel.  I eventually got COSTCO to arrange to take it back and issue a refund.  I replaced it with a Frigidaire which is just humming along.  The previous unit in this space as a Winix.  When it finally failed, their rep suggested that I send it back to Korea for repair.  Yes, you heard that right.  It is a sad state of affairs that IMHO none of the current crop of dehumidifiers is anywhere near the quality of the units offered 20 years ago.

I'm used to simply replacing my dehumidifiers every two or three years, the current quality is crap!  The Frigidaire I have is actually on it's 3rd year and showing no signs of crapping out, better than any of the TCL, HiSense, or Delonghi units I've owned over the past few years.  Usually, within a couple of years, they just stop dehumidifying, presumably due to loss of refrigerant.  You can hear the compressor running, but the air no longer comes out warm, a sure sign that it's not working.

John,  How well does your mini split act as a dehumidifier?  We just put two  mini split units in the second floor of our house and I am thinking about another unit for the basement. I am presently using a floor model dehumidifier in the basement but it does give off a of heat.

Thanks

Rich R