An RV is a big investment. To make sure that your recreational vehicle will last for many more years to come, equip it with tools that can help prolong its life. One way to do that is by getting the best dehumidifier for RV use.
A dehumidifier is a device that helps get rid of excess humidity in your RV. When you shower inside your RV or you take it near bodies of water like lakeside or beachside areas or you leave it exposed to the elements during rainy days, there’s a good chance excess moisture can collect in your RV.
This excess moisture can get in your windowsill, appliances, furniture and many more. When not dried up properly, that excess moisture can easily become a breeding ground for molds. Your RV can easily smell musty and moldy because of too much moisture in the air.
This article will show you how to find the best dehumidifier for RV. We took it upon ourselves to find the best dehumidifiers intended for RV use. Keep on reading to find out which products we recommend.
Effects of Too Much Humidity in Your RV
Why is it so important to protect your RV from too much humidity? Here are the reasons why:
1. Molds and mildew can develop.
As mentioned earlier, molds like to grow in moist surroundings. They can grow under your kitchen sink where it tends to get moist. They can grow on the ceiling of your RV or in your RV’s bathroom. Where there is excess moisture, there is also molds. This is why it is important that you can control moisture levels through a dehumidifier.
2. Corrosion can set in.
When you often go to places where there is too much moisture such as near the beach or the lake, some of that moisture can cling on the metal parts of your RV. When not removed right away, that moisture can cause corrosion to set in. The metal parts of your RV can turn rusty overtime. It might be difficult to open windows or doors if the metal parts have become corroded.
3. It poses health risks to RV users.
Molds are a serious problem because it can be toxic when ingested or inhaled. In enclosed spaces such as an RV, it is important that you don’t get stuck inside where there may be molds infestation. Once you inhale these molds spores, it can lead to respiratory illnesses.
4. Your furniture can easily smell musty.
Your RV’s upholstery and mattress can absorb the excess moisture in the air. The molds can grow in your furniture. It can also be difficult to get rid of the musty odor if they settle on your furniture.
5. It can reduce the lifespan of certain appliances.
The excess moisture can also settle in your appliances. When this happens, the metal parts of your appliances can succumb to corrosion and this can lead to their premature breakage. If you want to prolong the lifespan of your RV appliances, make sure you control humidity levels inside first.
Best Dehumidifier for RV Reviews
Here are some of the best dehumidifiers you can buy for your RV:
- InvisiPure Hydrowave Dehumidifier
- Eva-dry EDV Electric Petite Dehumidifier
- ProBreeze Electric Mini Dehumidifier
- hOmeLabs Small Space Dehumidifier
- Ivation IVADM35 Powerful Mid-Size Thermo-Electric Dehumidifier
Check out the features that these products boast of:
1. InvisiPure Hydrowave Dehumidifier
This small and compact dehumidifier will blend in seamlessly in your RV. Despite its compact size, this one is capable of drawing up to 27 ounces or 1.7 pints of moisture from the air each day. It’s a good unit to keep spaces as large as 300 square feet protected from too much moisture. Its water reservoir can hold up to 2 liters of water. This water reservoir can be easily accessed, so you can remove its contents with ease.
Pros:
- This has a nice design that will not be an eyesore in your RV.
- It can get rid of up to 1.7 pints of water from the air.
- This unit is compact. You can put it in a tight corner or space and not worry about it taking up too much footprint.
- This unit is easy to carry because it is lightweight. It only weighs 5.7 lb.
- You can enjoy a one-year warranty for this unit. It is also backed by lifetime support.
- A lot of customers commend its efficiency.
- Many commented on how quietly this dehumidifier operates.
Cons:
- Some said it is too small for their needs.
2. Eva-dry EDV Electric Petite Dehumidifier
This is a compressor-less dehumidifier that boasts of Whisper Technology. It makes use of Peltier Technology that draws more moisture. It can dehumidify up to 1100 cubic feet of spaces. It is just right for RV homes, but this can also work in small rooms in your home.
You can take advantage of this unit’s auto shut-off feature. It doesn’t use up a lot of energy as well. With only 23 watts of energy consumption, you don’t have to worry about this unit gobbling up too much energy. It also has a nice and stylish design that will work in your RV.
Pros:
- It truly gets rid of excess moisture in the air. It keeps your RV nice and dry.
- You can easily set it up on countertops.
- It doesn’t have a compressor, so it shouldn’t use up a lot of energy. It also doesn’t emit a loud noise.
- You can rely on this to get rid of excess moisture in spaces as big as 1100 cubic feet.
- It works in removing excess moisture fast. It can get rid of as much as 8 ounces of moisture in just 24 hours.
- This unit comes with a 1-year limited warranty.
- A lot of users said they have used this for months in their RV and did not experience problems. It seems to be built to last.
- It is small, so you can easily find a spot for it.
- It is an affordable price.
Cons:
- Some said they did not like how they can hear the fan.
3. ProBreeze Electric Mini Dehumidifier
This might be a small dehumidifier, but it is capable of removing up to 18 ounces of moisture from the air. The water tank can hold up to 52 ounces of water. You can rely on this to get rid of excess moisture in spaces as big as 2200 cubic feet. It works efficiently as well. With its small stature, it doesn’t emit a loud sound because it makes use of Peltier or thermoelectric cooling technology to run.
Pros:
- This is a portable unit that you can easily be propped on any surface.
- It works in small rooms. You can install it in rooms as big as 2200 cubic feet.
- It has an automatic shut off feature. Once it has reached full capacity, it will automatically shut off.
- It has a big 52-ounce water tank capacity.
- This unit won’t use up a lot of energy.
- It works quietly, thanks to its thermoelectric cooling function.
Cons:
- It won’t work in cooler settings.
4. hOmeLabs Small Space Dehumidifier
When it comes to dehumidifiers, this brand delivers some of the best. In the mini and compact department, this one stands out because of its large 500 ml capacity. You can rely on this dehumidifier to get rid of as much as 9 ounces of moisture from the air in a day.
It is completely safe to use, and it has a quiet operation that won’t disrupt you while using your RV. It also doesn’t use up too much energy, so you can run it without worrying about depleting your energy source.
Pros:
- It has good capacity and power. It truly gets rid of excess moisture in the air.
- It doesn’t consume a lot of energy.
- You can rely on its auto shut off function. When the tank is full, the LED indicator light turns on. That’s your signal that it is time to remove the collected water from its tank.
- It can work in spaces of up to 150 square feet.
- This unit is lightweight. You shouldn’t have trouble putting it where you want it to go.
- You need only to clean it once a week to achieve optimum performance.
Cons:
- Some said they did not find this sufficient enough for their needs.
5. Ivation IVADM35 Powerful Mid-Size Thermo-Electric Dehumidifier
You can keep your RV comfortably dry with this unit. It features Thermo-Electric Peltier module technology that ensures quiet operations. You can rely on this to suck as much as 20 ounces of water from your RV in a day. There are no moving parts inside, so you don’t have to worry about rattling noise. It is also compact and lightweight at only 4.45 pounds. It can draw excess moisture away from spaces as big as 2,200 cubic feet. And with its large water reservoir, you don’t have to remove the contents until days later.
Pros:
- This is one of those dehumidifiers with a bigger coverage. It can work better in bigger spaces.
- The water tank is also considerably large. It might take up to 3 days before you need to replace it.
- Once the tank has reached full capacity, it automatically shuts off.
- It consumes very little energy and is lightweight and compact.
Cons:
- Some said they find this unit a bit noisier than others.
The Verdict
Consistent Results: InvisiPure Hydrowave Dehumidifier. One of the reasons why this unit is rated highly is because of how consistently it delivers results. It really gets the humidity levels down without this being too intrusive in your space. It is not noisy and doesn’t need too much maintenance.
If you don’t want to deal with damp on the road you’ll need the best dehumidifier for RV and we think the Invisipure Hydrowave will fit the bill perfectly. With its unobtrusive design, it’ll fit perfectly in your vehicle.
Small But Powerful: Eva-dry EDV Electric Petite Dehumidifier. This might be small, but it does pack a punch when it comes to effective dehumidifying properties. It can still work in comparatively bigger spaces.
Quiet Operations: ProBreeze Electric Mini Dehumidifier. You can rely on this dehumidifier to perform well but without emitting a loud sound. Its Peltier technology ensures it will run quietly.
Inexpensive Choice: hOmeLabs Small Space Dehumidifier. If you are looking for a portable RV dehumidifier that will not break the bank, this should be a sterling option. It doesn’t cost as much as the other dehumidifiers, but it has similar features.
More Coverage: Ivation IVADM35 Powerful Mid-Size Thermo-Electric Dehumidifier. We recommend this one if you want it to have a broader coverage. It can accommodate the dehumidifying needs of a bigger space.
Tips in Fighting Humidity in Your RV
Keeping humidity and excess moisture levels low in your RV is not an impossibility. Use the following tips to create a more conducive air quality in your RV:
1. Use a dehumidifier for RV.
The easiest way to fight humidity in your RV is through the use of a dehumidifier. You can choose from different kinds of dehumidifiers. There are the non-electric ones or those that use desiccant packets. They work but only in small spaces. They aren’t designed to work in big spaces such as an RV. You can go for either an electric desiccant dehumidifier instead. This is a machine that has a desiccant wheel that draws moisture from the air.
Another option is with the use of compressor dehumidifier. This kind of dehumidifier uses condenser coils to extract moisture from the air. It is a powerful mechanism that truly gets the job done. If you need to dehumidify a big space, this, along with the desiccant dehumidifiers, is your best choice.
2. Ventilate your RV properly.
Install vents in your RV if you don’t have on yet. Consider installing it in areas prone to high moisture collection such as the kitchen and in the bathroom. Whenever you use these spaces, turn the vents on to dispel excess moisture.
3. Cover your RV use an air vent cover when in storage.
When using a regular RV cover, it might cause excess moisture to get trapped inside, especially during rainy days. One way to correct that is through the use of an air vent cover. This will keep your RV protected against the elements, but it will still ensure good air circulation inside your RV.
4. Try to air it out regularly.
Whenever you can, open the doors and windows of your RV. Do this when the weather is agreeable so that natural air can effortlessly flow in your RV.
Conclusion
Take all these factors into consideration when choosing the best dehumidifier for RV. Hopefully, you’ve got a good idea of exactly what you need to buy for your mobile home. If you’re not sure, or simply want to see solutions for permanent housing as well, you’ll want to check out the best dehumidifier reviews to find your ideal appliance.