Most homes have crawl spaces as their foundation type. The problem with this type of foundation is that excess moisture can build up. When this happens, molds and mildew can grow on surfaces. One way to solve that is by installing crawl space dehumidifiers.
Dehumidifiers are designed to remove excess moisture in the air. They draw out the excess moisture and dump that in a receptacle or pass it through a drain hose. By letting a crawl space dehumidifier run all day, you can prevent the build-up of excess moisture.
If you have this problem at home, invest in a good crawl space dehumidifier. We helped you out with this by checking out the dehumidifiers available in the market today that can easily fit in small spaces. Now make sure you read until the end of this article to find out which products are recommended for you.
Step by Step Procedure in Eliminating Moisture Problems in Your Crawl Space
1. Get in there and find the source of the problem.
Get in your crawl space or ask someone to do it for you. Before you can solve the moisture issue, find out first what is causing this to happen in the first place. A leak from your plumbing pipes, for instance, can increase moisture levels in the air and this can make it more difficult to get rid of molds problems. You need to fix broken pipes first, otherwise, your dehumidifier will not work as effectively.
Also check the level of humidity in your area. If this problem usually manifests in the summer, it can be due to the high humidity levels during this season. It is a good idea to check your house if there are other parts that can be prone to molds formation. If your house, particularly your crawl space, has poor ventilation, you might not be able to stop molds from developing.
2. Fix the damages.
If the problem is due to broken pipes, you would want to call a professional plumber first to fix the problem. You can have your entire plumbing system checked to ensure that this won’t happen again. If there are cracks or old and worn-out pipes, better have them replaced first.
3. Address the molds problem.
A dehumidifier will help prevent molds from appearing but will not get rid of existing molds. If there are black molds in your crawl space, don’t get in there. You need proper tools and equipment to get rid of these completely. Better leave this in the hands of professionals as molds can be toxic. If you are exposed to them, you could end up suffering from long-term health damages.
4. Do some clean-up.
Once the molds are gone, you can clean-up your crawl space to get rid of debris. If there are flooding issues, use a sump pump to extract the water.
5. Install the crawl space dehumidifier.
Once all the above-mentioned steps are done and dealt with, that’s the time to install a crawl space dehumidifier. You first need to look for a dehumidifier that will work in a small space like a crawl space. Make sure it is portable enough that you can carry or wheel it around this spot. It should be easily installed.
Best Crawl Space Dehumidifier Reviews
Here are the best dehumidifiers for crawl spaces we highly recommend:
- Aprilaire 1830 Basement Pro Dehumidifier
- Drieaz F515 PHD 200 Compact Dehumidifier
- AlorAir Basement/Crawlspace Dehumidifiers
- Aprilaire 1850F Large Basement Pro Dehumidifier
These are the features you can find in these dehumidifiers:
1. Aprilaire 1830 Basement Pro Dehumidifier
Say goodbye to musty odor and molds growth in your crawl space or basement. This long-lasting dehumidifier does a great job in extracting excess moisture from the air and dispel it through a drain hose for more continuous removal of excess moisture. This unit has the ability to remove as much as 9 gallons or 70 pints of water from the air in a day.
Unlike other dehumidifiers out there, this is simple to set up. You don’t even need to go back to it frequently to empty out the tray. Just connect it to a hose and then to a drain pipe and it will work continuously.
Pros:
- This unit has a considerable dehumidifying capacity. With its ability to remove up to 70 pints or 9 gallons of moisture in the air, this is all you need to keep your crawl space sufficiently dry.
- You don’t have to do a lot of maintenance. Since it connects directly to a hose, there is no tray to clean or empty out. You can virtually install this and forget about it.
- The coils in this dehumidifier are corrosion-resistant. They can last for a long time even when exposed to harsh elements.
- It is a leak-proof unit. Since the parts used are all durable, they are resistant to leaks.
- Packaging is resistant to damages as well. You don’t have to worry about damages when it gets delivered.
- This unit is backed by a 5-year warranty.
- The filters only need to be cleaned once a year.
- You can choose to install the control panel on the side or the top, depending on which method is more convenient for you.
- Display is easy to look at and interactive. Overall, it is an easy product to use.
Cons:
- The drain hose this comes with is short, so you might need to order a longer one. This product is also a bit expensive compared to other dehumidifiers.
2. Drieaz F515 PHD 200 Compact Dehumidifier
This is one of the best dehumidifiers to use in enclosed spaces such as crawl spaces. It can effectively remove excess moisture and water vapor. The vapor and moisture it collects can be dispelled through its automatic pump feature. There is no need to keep on checking this machine to dump out the contents of the tray. The water it collects goes directly to your drain.
It comes with digital touchpad controls that you can use in 4 different languages. This control pad shows the inlet and outlet temperature of the unit. It is very compact, so you should have no problems installing it in tight crawl spaces. You can hang it wherever you want. It is also easier to transport because of its size and weight.
Pros:
- This unit effectively gets rid of excess moisture to prevent the formation of molds in crawl spaces.
- It is easy to get in your tight crawl space because of its compact size. It is also easy to find a position for it. You can even hang it up. You can purchase an additional hanging kit for such a purpose.
- The digital touchpad control is easy to use.
- There is no need to dump out collected water. This unit automatically pumps out excess water.
- It comes with 6 years warranty on its compressor, 1-year warranty on its other parts and a lifetime limited warranty on its housing.
Cons:
- This unit can be an expensive choice. Some also had minor issues with leaks.
3. AlorAir Basement/Crawlspace Dehumidifiers
Looking for a crawl space dehumidifier that will still work in low temperature settings? Try this one. It boasts of HGV or Hot Gas Valve Defrosting System. It quickly defrosts the coils once it is subjected to extremely low temperatures, so your unit can still work efficiently.
It also boasts of an internal corrosion protection system. With this, you can be assured that the unit will last for a long time and will resist inevitable corrosion. Because it is corrosion resistant, it also prevents the leakage of Freon.
Pros:
- This unit is capable of removing up to 55 points of excess moisture in a day. It can accommodate spaces of up to 1300 square foot. This isn’t just suitable for your crawl space, it is also ideal for your other spaces such as storage room and garage.
- The coils have an epoxy coating that will prevent rust and corrosion from setting in but will make sure it doesn’t interfere with its efficiency.
- It has a defrosting feature. In case the temperature in your crawl space drops, the coils won’t freeze up.
- Once it reaches the desired level of humidity, it will automatically shut off.
- It boasts of the G3 filter, a kind of filter that removes odor and extracts more moisture from the air.
- This unit comes with a 1-year warranty on labor and parts plus 3 years of warranty on its compressor, condenser and evaporator.
Cons:
- Some said the sizing is inaccurate for this dehumidifier
4. Aprilaire 1850F Large Basement Pro Dehumidifier
If you have this dehumidifier, there is a chance you will never have to buy a new one for many more years to come. This is built to last, thanks to the aluminum coils that can resist corrosion. This unit can extract up to 95 pints or 12 gallons of moisture from the air in one day.
Pros:
- Built to last. You don’t have to worry about this unit succumbing to corrosion.
- It does a great job in extracting more moisture.
- You don’t need to stop what you are doing to empty out the train because it drains directly.
- It comes with caster wheels for easier transport.
Cons:
- Some said they had difficulty finding the replacement parts they need.
The Verdict
Now which of these crawl space dehumidifiers should you ultimately choose?
Low-Maintenance Unit: Aprilaire 1830 Basement Pro Dehumidifier. This is one of the best dehumidifiers out there because it doesn’t require rigorous maintenance. You don’t need to remove the water tray all the time as you can install a hose to allow it to continuously drip out. The filter can also be cleaned once a year. Overall, this low-maintenance machine is great for busy individuals.
Easy to Install: Drieaz F515 PHD 200 Compact Dehumidifier. No need to worry about how you will install your dehumidifier because this one can be installed with ease. You can also opt to hang it, so it isn’t sitting on the floor. And because it drains directly, you don’t need to visit it regularly to get rid of the collected water.
Low Temperature Usage: AlorAir Basement/Crawlspace Dehumidifiers. You don’t have to worry about the condenser coils freezing up when the temperature drops down with this dehumidifier because it has an anti-frost function that prevents the coils from freezing. Additionally, it has been treated with an epoxy coating to ensure efficient operations.
Better for Bigger Spaces: Aprilaire 1850F Large Basement Pro Dehumidifier. If you have a bigger crawl space, get this one. It has a bigger capacity that will ensure you will never have to worry about condensation or excess moisture again.
Our favorite choice of best crawl space dehumidifier is the Aprilaire 1830. It has a high capacity, low maintenance and leakproof.
Finding the Best Crawl Space Dehumidifier – Factors to Consider
To make sure that you are getting the best crawl space dehumidifier, here are a few factors to consider:
1. Performance and capacity
Always consider how well the dehumidifier performs. It should be capable of drawing a lot of moisture in the air. Compare their performance and choose those that can take away gallons of excess moisture. This way, you can really see and experience great results.
2. Long-lasting materials
Crawl space environment is not exactly the best. That said, materials can become prone to corrosion. Look for a dehumidifier that is made from durable and resistant materials. Make sure this dehumidifier does not easily succumb to corrosion or similar damages, so you can get more use out of it.
3. Easy to set up and use
The biggest part of its set up is hooking up a drain hose to it. Find out if it already includes all the parts you need or if you still need to look for a compatible drain hose. Check out if you can easily connect the drain hose to the drain. This setup ensures that you do not have to keep on checking your unit to drain water manually.
4. Warranty
When you have an appliance that runs constantly, it is important that it comes with a good warranty. That way, parts and labor are covered in case the unit breaks down.
5. Size and weight
Always check the size and the weight. Compare how big the unit is to determine whether it will fit seamlessly in your crawl space. Also make sure it is light in weight, to make it easier to move around in tight spaces.
Conclusion
There are all sorts of dehumidifiers out there, designed for different applications. Whether you are looking for a small dehumidifier for your bathroom or a big one for your basement or garage, you can find reviews of the best dehumidifers in our main buying guide. Be sure to check it out!
