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Using a whole house dehumidifier is an efficient way to keep your home dry and mold free. If you live in a damp area then it is a must-have. See which models are best.

Santa Fe Classic Whole House Dehumidifier

A whole house dehumidifier is needed when you want to control the humidity in more than a couple of rooms at the same time. Excess humidity in the air at home can cause many problems ranging from health issues to structural damage. Heavy moisture content in the air provides ideal breeding conditions for various types of molds, mildew, and dust mites. Mold infestation causes breathing problems, allergies, and the air will be heavy with a musty odor. Mildew and mold will also destroy clothes, peel paint and cause structural damage to your house, and installing a dehumidifier is the only solution.

How Does A Whole House Dehumidifier Work

A dehumidifier works on the principle of condensation. The machine sucks in the air, which is passed over cold coils. This causes the moisture in the air to condense into water, which is collected and disposed off. The air is then reheated and released into the room. A whole house dehumidifier is a stationery device, and since it services the whole home, it needs to be connected to a ducting system, which can be an existing or new, centralized air-conditioning or heating system. Compared to portable versions, the whole house model can extract around three times more humidity, and is capable of removing moisture quantities of about ten gallons each day. The machine is connected to the regular drainage plumbing of the house, facilitating the collected water to be piped out, without any human intervention.

Advantages

• The machine monitors the level of humidity in the home, and reduces it to the required level automatically. Hence, once it is set there is not much required to do.
• As the outlet for collected water is connected to the drainage system, you don’t have to worry about emptying collection containers. The only maintenance is probably an occasional cleaning of filtration pads.
• The machine will not take up space in your room, as it will be attached to the centralized heating or cooling system in your house.

Disadvantages

• Compared to portable models, these are larger units, and will have a higher price tag.
• Professional installation is required.
• The machine may not be compatible with certain heating systems.

How to Select the Right Whole House Dehumidifier

If you live in an area, where the humidity touches 80% or above for most months of the year, then you need a whole house dehumidifier. There are many models available on the market, and you should keep in mind the following points while choosing the best whole house dehumidifier for your home.

• Moisture Removal Capacity: This capacity is signified by, how many liters of moisture; the machine is capable of removing in a day. For getting the right capacity, you should consider the square foot area of your home, and the highest percentage of humidity recorded in a year. Usually a 1000 square foot house in wet weather conditions would require a machine capable of removing 9 liters of moisture per day. However, a 12-liter capacity is usually considered the bare minimum in whole house models.




• Energy Efficiency: The whole house dehumidifier uses electricity to run the compressor and fan, and you need to buy a model, which gives the best efficiency per unit of electricity. You can find this out by looking at the Energy Star rating the model has received under test conditions. The more stars the better the efficiency of the machine, with five stars being the best rating.




• Humidistat Controls: The model should allow you to set the required level of humidity you prefer, and then work automatically. In case of a power failure, it should resume operations at the settings you’ve programmed, instead of resetting to the factory settings.




• Drainage System: It is better to go for models that can be directly connected to the prevailing drainage system of your house, so that you do not have to empty any collection containers.




• Warranty and Service: Most good brands offer a warranty period of 5 years. Make sure you complete the related registration paperwork in time, after purchase. Also, see if there are local service facilities available for your area.

Popular Models

Aprilaire 1750A Whole House Dehumidifier

Aprilaire 1750A Whole House Dehumidifier

This model has duct collars for easy connection with a centralized HVAC system. It is capable of removing 11.25 gallons moisture each day, and can be attached to the existing drainage system with a one-inch PVC pipe for easy drainage. Operation is fully automatic, and will run only when it senses raised moisture levels. It also switches automatically to whole house operation, when the HVAC system is turned on, and operates locally when it is turned off. It has a large range of operating temperatures, ranging from 40 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit, and the model comes with a five-year warranty. You can read more about the Aprilaire Dehumidifier Model 1750 here and get the latest prices and best deals.

Santa Fe Classic 4029700 Basement and Whole House Dehumidifier

This model is Energy Star rated and delivers higher energy efficiency. It is mainly a standalone unit, but can be easily converted for whole house operation with a duct kit. Equipped with a condensate hose, the collected water can be directly drained off through the prevailing drainage system. The unit is supposed to maintain below 50% humidity levels, over a 3000 square foot area, and is capable of removing 100 pints of water per day. A defrosting system that is built-in enables the dehumidifier to operate in temperatures as low as 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Independent of dehumidifying operation, the unit can also function as a blower, by a flick of a switch. Four casters, makes the unit portable, and it comes with a power cord measuring 10 feet. Click here to check on the best deals for the Santa Fe Classic Dehumidifier.

Honeywell TrueDry DH150 Whole House Dehumidifier

This unit can be ducted for servicing the whole home, or can be placed in specific areas to operate as a stand-alone unit. Considered to be highly energy efficient, this model is equipped with MERV 11 air filters, and a port for air ventilation. It has a capacity of removing 18.75 gallons of moisture per day, but does not come with any controls.

Bottom Line

A whole house dehumidifier is ideal for houses that require dehumidification in multiple rooms at the same time. Choose the model carefully taking into account your floor space and the capacity of the unit.

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