When you purchase a home with a basement, you are buying a piece of property that has a room which collects a lot of moisture. Being below ground means that basements get moisture from the air as well as the soil around it.
What that means is your basement is a good target for bacteria, mold and other germs to find a home. Also, that extra moisture can start to ruin your wood beams, joists and other wood supports found in the basement.
What you need is a good dehumidifier to get rid of that moisture and protect your home as well as your family.
To find out how to get that good dehumidifier, just continue to read our article. It gives you the information you need.
What You Need to Know to Pick the Right Dehumidifier for Basement
Getting the right information is the first and best step you can make in finding a good dehumidifier for your basement. There is a lot to know about so you pick the one that fits your home and your budget.
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Dehumidifier Capacity
All dehumidifiers have a limit of how much moisture they can remove per day. Your basement size will determine which capacity limit you should buy. For really large basements you should get the unit with the largest capacity.
The design of your basement will help you decide. If it is one large open room you may need to get a large capacity dehumidifier. If it is broken up into smaller rooms, then the small or medium may work best.
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The Noise Factor
If noise is a deal breaker then you need to find one that does not make a lot of noise. Some units produce up to 65 decibels when turned on at high speed. Others will go as low as 53 decibels.
Read our reviews thoroughly to find one that will meet your noise requirements. Keep in mind that dehumidifier makers are not required to post that information
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The Drainage Factor
Almost all dehumidifiers come with a water tank that you have to physically empty from time to time. This can be a problem as the unit will shut down when the water tank is full.
If you do not want to make a lot of trips to the basement to empty the water tank, find one with a continuous drain function. Also, if you have to get the water uphill, buy one with a pump. See more
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The Electrical Bill Factor
Being energy efficient is still a must in today’s world. Most dehumidifiers add between $15 and $50 to your electrical bill for continuous use. You need to factor in this cost and look for the best model that won’t boost your energy bill too much.
The Energy Star label will provide the right information to you
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The Feature Factor
The more features you have the better. You will want a unit that has defrost function as that protects the dehumidifier from cold weather. Timers are good to have as is a humidistat and auto re-start. There's always a list of features for you to consider.
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The Basement Factor
This is one of the most important factors as the information you have on the following criteria will help you find the right dehumidifier for your home. You need to know the temperature, the moisture level and the size of the basement in order to get the right unit.
Other factors also include the type of basement with the concrete one drawing the most moisture inside. If you have a bathroom and shower there as well as a dryer the moisture levels go up and you will need a larger capacity dehumidifier.
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The Budget Factor
Check your budget and make sure you can afford the model you are interested in. It doesn’t help you if you overpay for the wrong dehumidifier.
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The Brand Factor
Go with a brand you trust. But don’t be afraid to compare the information one brand has with other brands. You never know when a competitor has a better product than the one you like.
Our recommendation
Even with all these facts it may be hard to make the right decision. The desiccant dehumidifier may not use any power but it is also not a strong dehumidifier. Plus, you have to replace them once the desiccant materials has absorbed all the moisture they can.
The thermoelectric units are a step up from the desiccant models but they may use too much power. They also may not cover the amount of space your basement has. Like the desiccant dehumidifiers they are small and are best in small-sized rooms.
In the end, the best model you can pick up would be the compressor dehumidifiers. They have the size, the capacity and cover the square footage you have in your basement. There is a wide selection of these models and one of the best is the TaoTronics TT-EE015.
This unit has everything including a pump so you can move that moisture uphill if you need to. The controls are easy to use and on top of the unit so you do not have to strain yourself when you want to select your settings.
Final Words
Finding the right dehumidifier for your basement means you have to do your research. The above guidelines put you on the right track to getting all the information you need to make a smart decision.
While the salesman can give you some good data keep in mind his main goal is to make a sale. Do your own research and do not depend on what the salesman says too much. It is your house and you need to make the right decisions for it and you.
