Dehumidifier For Basement Train Room

I use a Frigidaire 70 pint energy star.  About $225.00.  It has given me excellent service.  I have a stone wall basement (Proud member of the Crappiest Basement Society) the basement is approximately 1000 sq. feet.  I have it set to hold the humidity between 50-55% and I run a floor fan which cycles on/off every 4 hours.  I drain it directly to a sump pump.  I live in RI and my basement only gets above 64 degrees in June, July and August.  It has never frozen even at 50 degrees in the winter when we have had a slushy wet snow that causes some moisture to gather. 

LG model LD451EGL from Home Depot. It is specifically designed for cold areas. Works great and has never frozen up. My basement is below 55 degrees all winter.

I have a 70 pint Haier/Amana that has been great. They actually do freeze somewhat below 64 degrees, but it has a heating element that defrosts the coils. Mine has a pump that I have connected to the waste outflow pipe so I'm not emptying buckets.  Check Consumer Reports for ratings.

 

-Roger

I have had good luck with basic box type Sears models without digital controls. The larger the drip pan, the better. (In case you can't drain it to a sump) They have not frozen.

Hello Mike.  I also have had good luck with the Sears models in the past, although now I run a Whirlpool unit.  

 

As for the freezing up issue, I was under the impression (and I'm pretty sure the dehumidifier manual stated this as well) you don't need to run it when the room temp drops below 65 or 60 degrees.  

 

- Mike

My dehumidifier was also recalled, probably the same one, from Gree under the covers. It took months to get the check.

I purchased a Frigidaire FAD704DWD 70 pint dehumidifier.
It was highly rated by Consumer Reports, and seems to be working well.

The nicest feature is the hose bib on the exterior makes it extremely easy to run the collected water to a drain.

They recommend using a piece of garden hose.
I used an adaptor to convert the connection to flexible tubing, approximately 1/2 inch inside diameter.

So for no clogging and no icing.
Manufacturer says it will work properly at temps greater than 41 degrees.

Santa Fe all they way! These arent cheap but i was tired of replacing sears and other off brand units every 1 and 1/2 to 2 years. Made here in the USA as a plus.

Ben

Hey Micheal!  I own  GE Model that is a 70 pint.  I don't mean to bust anyones' chops but in the last three years I have been thru two LG (junk) dehumidifiers. Yes I clean filters and oil them (if needed) when the maintenance time comes.

      The last LG dehumidifier went belly up TWO DAYS after the extended warranty expired - and usually I don't buy into that scam.

 You didn't ask but the "much vaunted" LG microwave went belly up just over a year. I got Sears to replace it with ......a GE model.

    Have a brother-in-law that does huge installs of theater/concert hall/auditorium sound/video..etc.  The LG junk has never been reliable..so he also switched to something else. I stay stay away from LG.

    I've learned that the freezing up is from sometimes (a) haven't cleaned the filter

(b) set the humidity control too low at first use (c)  bad thermostat

Even recycling places don't give you much for the old dehumidifier - off you go to the dump and then get a new GE.

 

 

 

GE dehumidifiers are made by Gree, the company that had the recall.

For all I know, the Frigidaire may be too.

I'll third the Fridgidare 70 pint, its the replacement for my exploding Gree as well.

 

The best part about the new Frigidare is that, its waaaaay quieter than the exploding Gree unit.

Consumer reports had a recent article.
PS- that story on freezing from the manufacturer is bogus. The refrigerant charge or some component are wrong.

Hello Mike and RedJimmy!

 

Thanks for all the responses! I have been reading reviews on that Fridgidare 70 pint, and I am really considering it. Thanks again guys!

Frigidaire 70 pint Energy Star.  Works very well in my old fashioned stone walled cellar. 

I have the Whirlpool Gold, Energy Star.  It is guaranteed to not freeze up when the basement gets cool.  It has worked like a champ for several years now.

.....

Dennis

Had a Soleusair 70 pint by Gree, same issue fire safety, about 3 years old, on recall list, check Soleusair web site, number of other brands being recalled, replaced with Danby 70 pint unit dehumidifier. Only two USA manufacturers, Santa Fe and another company.    

I also had on of the recalled Gree dehumidifiers.  I think it was the Solisair brand & bought 4-5 years ago at one of the big box places.  The problem is that no matter WHICH brand you buy, they are all made in CHINA.... likely by the same company.  You can buy ones that have age-old, trusted "American" brand names on them (like Whirlpool or Frigidaire), but they are all built by kindergarden-aged employees in China.  

Hey Mike,

 

I use Friedrich. Very reliable.

I have a Danby 70 pint low temperature model. It works great. The only issue, a slight one at that, is that the bucket is on the small side.

 

I believe it was $250 or so.

For those who watch the video linked by Dale H.

 

The recall involves many brands and models.
I purchased mine online through Walmart. They notified me of the recall. No receipt was required. I had to send in the cord and some stickers from the unit.

 

Thanks to Dale for explaining the actual problem, and linking the video.

Costco has a unit they run continuously during open hours on the outer isle.

When I get out there again I will check the name brand.

What I like about Costco is they have a guarantee, and for a few bucks you can get an extended guarantee.

 

If you have central air there is a little trick for keeping your basement less humid and cooler during the Summer.

 

I install a vent in the return portion of the duct before it enters the unit I have found this to be very effective in keeping the basement drier and cooler or warmer in the winter.

 

As for humidity 50-55% is pretty reasonable if you want drier move west young man.

Friedrich. Still works(crossing fingers).

Thank you everyone. After several people here suggested it, and reading some great reviews online, I ordered the Frigidaire 70 pint model.

I have a sears 70 pint in my basement, that is roughly 500 sq ft (it is technically a half basement), and it works great. The only problem I had with it was my fault, I had it on full blast, and it was leaking water...basically, it was pulling so much humidity out so fast it couldn't drain enough. I leave it on the low setting now, and it has worked flawlessly. I had an LG one, that ended up dying right after the warranty had expired. For all I know sears is made by LG, but for whatever reasons, the Sears unit works. 

I will just THROW this in.I know about HVAC some what.Some simple ventilation/air circulation will help reduce humidity.Running a dehumidifier is not necessarily the only solution.Nick 

You could move to the desert. I run a humidifier and a swamp cooler and can't get the humidy over 30%.

Gree dehumidifier recall, 12 0r 13 brands, check web site.

www.greedehumidifierrecall.com/ProductEntry.asps

I have the same as Dennis, Whirlpool Gold. Bought it a few years ago, it was even assembled in USA. Works great!

       
       


Good Choice.. that should keep your Basement from getting dank..

K.C.

I love my Frigidaire 70 pt. Dehumidifier! You picked a great one. It's rated high here 

http://www.squidoo.com/best-basement-dehumidifier . Hopefully you love it too. 

Frigidaire 70 pint. I run two in the basement and they can turn it into a desert if I have them on constantly. I'm in the Chicago area with a solid concrete poured foundation and these units work well even when the temperature drops.

 

Best units I've found to date.

I bought the GE 70 pint today from HD. It is quiet. I note that it warned not to plug into an extension cord or an adapter plug..

I Run a 25 Year Old Sears Dehumidifier

 

I run an old sears dehumidifier, even had to spray paint it about three years ago, because of surface rust. It still works.

 

Click photo to enlarge.

I wish I had seen this a few months ago before I had to purchase another dehumidifier for the basement.  Seems like from what I have heard, if you have an old one that works, KEEP it.  The new ones just aren't made to last more than 3-5 years.  I am so easy with the new ones I buy.  Change the filter, keep clean, take outside and leaf blow it out in Spring...and still only get 3 seasons or so.  I do not use more than 3-4 months out of the year, too.  Last one I bought was from Walmart, Haier 45 pint and with the price at $198 I purchased their 3 year replacement warranty for $17.  I am told it is not just dehumidifiers, even new refrigerators, etc.  Good luck!!

Gentlemen,

   Like G Jackson I have the LG for my basement, which does not house my train layout, same model also, made for cooler places it works great and has an auto drain set up if you want to use it.  These things cost near $300.00 however, purchase on sale if you can.

PCRR/Dave

As much as I generally don't believe in extended warrantys, I ALWAYS  buy one for dehumidifiers. And I always end up using it. George was right about them not being built to last, however, they cannot be repaired. No parts, among other things. These new ones, like our trains, are all electronics. With my last one, the defrost unit for the coils failed. It was replaced under the extended warranty. I had to peel off the bar code tag on the old one and photograph the back and send it all in. They told me to just throw out the old one. After the new one arrived, I took the "old" one apart (figured I had nothing to lose). Located the defrost unit and it's wiring harness. Took a pair of long nose pliers and squeezed the harness together. Put it back together, powered up and.....bingo.

 

Bargain for an extended warranty

 

-Roger

I don't think I have ever had a dehumidifier last more than five years.

 

Got lucky with the GE one I purchased at Walmart. After several years it was recalled, so I got a new one for almost nothing.

(Say what you want about Walmart, they were the ones that notified me about the recall.)

Have you verified that the basement is below 64 degrees?