6 Best Dehumidifiers for the Basement

6 Best Dehumidifiers for the Basement Every house owner hates to see mold and dampness. But, as much as you try to discard them off they seem to find a way to your homes when the temperature and humidity increases.And when it comes to the basement, it is “pretty much” impossible to see them without molds and mildews.

Here, you must have seen we have used the words “pretty much” as with the help of best dehumidifier for the basement it is possible to combat this situation and keep these serial culprits at bay!

But, before we go any further on this topic it is extremely crucial to know the importance of a basement in houses.

A basement can be used as a refuge to protect you and your family members during natural calamities like storms. You can even employ it as an additional room where children can play games, store things, or even use it as an additional living space.

In fact, there are several house owners who believe the basement is as significant space as any other in the house.

The problem is, due to its location which is usually below ground, it becomes very damp in there which makes it more vulnerable to humidity and moisture.

Due to the presence of molds and mildews in the basement, there is every likelihood of it causing damage to your entire house and also result in unsafe health conditions.

This makes it all the more important for you to take definitive steps to combat the moisture buildup in the basement.

As suggested earlier in this section, the perfect solution to this problem is to get a dehumidifier for the basement.

The amazing part? This ingenious appliance can work as a boon in getting rid of surplus moisture from the air. Ultimately resulting in a moisture-free environment‌.

It even keeps the temperature regulated which makes you comfortable while sitting in the basement area.

If you have a basement in your household, getting a dehumidifier is a must for you!

We promise after reading this content piece, you will be able to opt for the best dehumidifier for the basement. You will also get up close with the different things that you would like to know about dehumidifiers.

In the forthcoming sections of this write-up, we have provided dehumidifier reviews that will help you to select the best one from the rest and ensure that your house is free from these irritating pests.

Basics of Basement Dehumidifier While embarking on the journey of exploring the best dehumidifiers for the basement it is quite important to, first of all, understand what is a basement dehumidifier?

So, let us start off with our layman’s definition of this term.

It is nothing but an appliance that can be employed in large areas, including garages, basements, or crawl space units where the temperature is pretty less than other parts of your home.

The only problem is, it is a space where you can easily see humidity and moisture building up swiftly.

The next important question that you will have is: What is the purpose behind purchasing a basement dehumidifier?

To answer this question, it is significant for you to comprehend the fact that the area in the basement is covered with excessive moisture.

To get rid of it from the air and drain it through a hose or reservoir where it is removed from concern, a basement dehumidifier is used.

Always remember: A damp, musty basement can be hazardous for you and your family.

The moisture which is present can transform into mold and mildew which in turn results in damaging the walls, ceiling tiles, and carpets.

It can even lead to respiratory issues for you and your family.

With time, this moisture can make other substances in your household rotten and rusted.

It can even invite insects and other small critters to become a huge problem for your house.

By getting the right basement dehumidifier can help you control the moisture buildup.

This, in turn, results in a much healthier environment in your house.

Do you want your family members to get sick or see any permanent damage in your household property?

No sane person would want that to happen.

This very reason makes the appliance extremely useful for your house.

Now that you have understood the basics of basement dehumidifier it is important to address the question: How does a dehumidifier work? There are two ways to make a dehumidifier work: Through refrigeration; Through absorption/adsorption.

Now, that you have understood the working mechanism of a dehumidifier in the next section we will address the question: What size dehumidifier do I need?

Determining the Right Capacity of Dehumidifier to Purchase for your Basement It is extremely vital to get the right capacity of the dehumidifier for your basement. You will require an appliance that can cover up the entire space. If your basement is not huge, then you may not require a large capacity option. The capacity of the dehumidifier that you purchase for your basement depends on these factors:

Moderately damp conditions In case, your basement is moderately damp, then you will need a dehumidifier that can manage 10 pints of water removed from the air in a 500 square-foot area. If you have additional space for every 500 square feet you will need a minimum of four supplementary pints. For example, a 1,500 square feet area will require a dehumidifier that is able to get rid of 18 pints of water.

Very damp conditions In extremely damp conditions, where the amount of humidity is very high, you need an appliance that can extract 12-pints per 500 square feet of water. For every additional 500 square feet add 5 pints.

Wet conditions If you have a basement where you can puddle of water like in the shower area, then you will require a dehumidifier that can get rid of 14 pints of water for every 500 square feet. For every additional 500 square feet, you will require an extra 6 pints of capacity.

Extremely wet conditions If you reside in an area where the basement floods at a time or there is a water buildup for various reasons, you will need the highest level capacity dehumidifier. This appliance should be able to get rid of 16 pints of water for every 500 square feet. With an extra 7-pints for every additional 500 square feet.

Now, that you have understood the right capacity of the dehumidifier that you are going to purchase for your basement in the next section it is time to focus our attention on the signs that point to a humid basement.

Different Signs That Showcase A Humid Basement Damp aroma in the air

A humid basement is mostly characterized by a damp aroma which is due to the presence of mold and mildew in the air. You can easily identity mold as it leaves little dark spots across the walls. They show their presence felt when there is excessive levels of humidity in the air in areas where there is no proper ventilation.

Signs of condensation on the walls and floors You might see signs of condensation on the walls and floors. This includes small drops of water, fog on the glass or wall. With the help of a good humidifier, it is possible to soak all the moisture and ensure that the place is dry.

The problem of water runoff This is a problem that occurs mostly in the basement. It might be due to water seeping or due to poor water pipe fittings. Alternatively, it can even be due to the accumulation of water during the rainy season.

Rotten wood If you see any rotten wood in your basement, it is time to get a dehumidifier. It has usually been observed that wood starts to rot when it retains moisture for a very long time. With the help of a good dehumidifier, it is possible to get rid of this excessive moisture.

Now, that you have seen the signs that showcase a humid basement it is time to look at the criteria that will help you select the best dehumidifiers for the basement.

Criteria to Watch Out for While Purchasing the Best Dehumidifier for Basement Before making your final purchase decision pertaining to the dehumidifier for the basement it is time to ponder on certain things that will help you take the final call.

Select a dehumidifier that is able to get rid of a minimum of 20 pints of moisture from the air every day The pint capacity is one of the most important purchasing criteria that needs to be fulfilled.

Ensure that it is able to get rid of the right quantity of moisture for the requisite sq.ft. area.

Select a dehumidifier that has a large tank capacity If your dehumidifier is able to hold more water, the less you will need to empty the tank.

Remember, to check that the collection tank or bucket is in sync with the pint capacity for best results.

Select a dehumidifier that has an easy to use control panel Opt for an appliance that either consist of electronic controls or manual controls. Electronic controls are available either in digital form or consist of a touch panel. But, electronic controls lose out their settings during power cuts whereas this is not the case with manual controls.

Thanks to the recent advancements in technology, now you get auto power on-off function even in case of an unexpected cut-off.

Select a portable dehumidifier that is easy to carry from one room to another easily The dehumidifier selected needs to have a minimum of one handle and caster wheels for easy movement.

Select a dehumidifier that consists of washable filters and catches mold and mildew The dehumidifier should be washable at home with the capability of catching mold and mildew.

It needs to be easy to remove, consists of washable filters and pre-filters.

Select a dehumidifier that is quiet Always select a dehumidifier that makes less noise. There are certain appliances in the market that make distracting noise during the continuous process of air filtration. So, select wisely!

Select a dehumidifier that works well in low temperature For a dehumidifier to perform well in the basement it needs to work well in low temperature.

This is a very important criterion that can help you to select the right dehumidifier for your basement.