Commercial dehumidifiers work much the same way as consumer grade dehumidifiers work, except that they’re optimized for more heavy duty use (we’ll go over these optimizations in great detail later on in this guide). Like consumer grade dehumidifiers, commercial dehumidifiers can remove moisture either by using a desiccant or by using a compressed refrigerant. Desiccant commercial dehumidifiers are normally rented or leased as they can be very expensive to buy outright and their proper use and setup often require professional expertise. Compressor based commercial units are for the most part much less expensive (and therefore readily available for purchase) and are also generally much easier to setup and use.
Who This Guide Is For
Our goal with this guide is to give the consumer a general idea of what type of commercial dehumidifier options are out there (for purchase), which we recommend, and which we don’t recommend. For this reason, we will solely focus our attention on compressor based units for the rest of this guide. As we’ve already mentioned, desiccant units are very expensive and difficult to use. As such they’re not a great option for consumers. Compressor based units, on the other hand, are much more reasonably priced and are much less difficult to use, making them a viable option for consumers.
If you’re a business owner or even just a homeowner wanting to know what the next step up is, if you will, from consumer grade dehumidifiers – what the next most heavy duty option is after 50 pint compressor based dehumidifiers – then this is the guide for you. If you’re a restoration professional looking to buy new equipment for your business then this guide can still help but note that we’ll only discuss compressor based options (we won’t be discussing any desiccant options). Finally, if you’re a business owner needing to solve severe restoration problems, our recommendation is that you forego reading this guide altogether. Instead we recommend that you contact your local restoration professional and rent (not buy) dehumidifying equipment locally.
Commercial Dehumidifiers Are Optimized For Heavy Duty Operation
As we mentioned earlier, commercial dehumidifiers are optimized for heavy duty use. As such, they have several features and certain functionality that is either an augmentation of or unique to those features and functions that you might find on the average consumer grade dehumidifier. Those features/functions include:
1. Greater moisture removal – We want to start our discussion of this, what you might consider to be the most obvious distinction that can be drawn between commercial and consumer grade dehumidifiers (greater moisture removal rate), with a warning. Dehumidifiers touted as “commercial” units may not always have a greater moisture removal rate than comparable consumer grade units. How and why does this happen?
Most consumer grade dehumidifiers top out at 50 pints of moisture removal per day. All consumer grade units have their specified moisture removal rate tested and calculated at 65° F and 60% RH (relative humidity). Thus, a 50 pint consumer grade dehumidifier is tested to be able to remove 50 pints of moisture at 60° F and 60% RH. A 35 pint dehumidifier is tested to remove 35 pints of moisture per day at 65° F and 60% RH, and so on and so forth.
The listed or manufacturer specified moisture removal rate (the rate on the box) for consumer grade dehumidifiers is their moisture removal rate at 60° F and 60% RH.
The same isn’t true for commercial dehumidifiers. The listed or manufacturer specified moisture removal rate for commercial units is often, if not most of the time, not their moisture removal rate at 60° F and 60% RH. For this reason you have to be very careful when looking at and comparing their listed moisture removal rates. A 120 pint commercial dehumidifier, for example, specified by the manufacturer to remove up to 120 pints of moisture per day, does not necessarily remove 120 pints of moisture per day at 60° F and 60% RH.
How and why is this true? To answer that question we have to take a quick look at the relationship between moisture removal rate and temperature and humidity. Moisture removal rate is in fact directly proportional to the temperature and humidity of the air that is being dehumidified. A dehumidifier on a certain setting and a certain fan speed will remove moisture at a greater rate in environments at higher temperatures and higher humidity levels than it will in environments at lower temperatures and lower humidity levels.
A 50 pint dehumidifier on max. settings may be capable of removing 50 pints of moisture per day at 65° F and 60% RH but it will remove much less moisture per day at 50° F and 60% RH and even less moisture per day at 40° F and 60% RH. Decreasing humidity levels will have the same effect as decreasing temperature. The same dehumidifier on the same max. settings will remove less than 50 pints of moisture per day at 65° F and 50% RH and even less moisture per day at 65° F and 40% RH. Decreasing both temperature and humidity at the same time will exponentially decrease a dehumidifier’s efficiency. Conversely, increasing both temperature and humidity at the same time will increase dehumidifier efficiency. And increasing one or the other will also increase dehumidifier efficiency. A 50 pint dehumidifier can remove even more than 50 pints of moisture per day in a room with a temperature of 80° F at 100% RH, for example.
Coming back to our discussion of commercial units, be careful to note the temperature and humidity at which commercial dehumidifier moisture removal rate is given. The BlueDri BD-76P, for example, removes an incredible 150 ppd (pints per day) at 90° F and 90% RH but only 76 ppd at 80° F and 60% RH. The $1000+ (approx.) Pridiom PGD800HCW removes 96 ppd at saturation (100% RH) but only 50 ppd at 80° F and 60% RH. The Dri-Eaz LGR 3500i removes an incredible 170 ppd at 80° F and 60% RH.
2. Higher CFM fans – A dehumidifier’s fan pulls warm humid unprocessed air into it and also pushes (or exhausts) dried processed air out of it. CFM is an abbreviation for “Cubic Feet per Minute”. Thus, a higher CFM fan is able to pull a greater of volume (measured in cubic feet) of air into a dehumidifier per unit time (measured by minute in this case). Consumer grade dehumidifiers normally come equipped with a fan in the close to the 200 CFM range. The very popular Frigidaire FFAD5033W1′s fan, for example, operates at 229 CFM on high fan speed and 167 CFM on low fan speed. Commercial units come equipped with a much higher CFM fan – for the most part 250+ CFM. The Dri-Eaz LGR 3500i’s fan, for example, operates at 400 CFM.
Commercial dehumidifiers’ higher CFM fans allow for two different benefits and one disadvantage. The two benefits are greater moisture removal rate and greater area of coverage. Its higher CFM fan allows a commercial dehumidifier to process a greater quantity of air per unit time – the direct result is a greater moisture removal rate. A higher CFM fan is also able to pull air from a further distance and circulate air through the room to greater effect – the direct result is an increased area of coverage – in other words, the dehumidifier can be used in a larger space.
The one disadvantage of a higher CFM fan is noise output. All other things being equal, the greater the CFM of a fan, the faster its spins, the greater the noise it produces. Note that we said “all other things being equal”. Fans on some commercial units may be larger in diameter than fans on consumer grade dehumidifiers. The greater diameter of the fan allows for greater CFM without requiring the fan to spin faster. That being said, most commercial dehumidifiers have fans that are similarly sized to fans on consumer grade units and thus most commercial units make more noise than comparable consumer grade units.
3. Optimized for external drainage – consumer grade units have a water collection tank built into the dehumidifier that serves as the primary option for collecting moisture. Most units give you the option to drain them using gravity or a pump but doing so normally involves installing extra adapters, supplying your own drain hose, etc. Commercial units are first and foremost set up for pump drainage. Most commercial units come equipped with a heavy duty built in pump that absolutely requires that you drain the dehumidifier using supplied hosing. There is either no water collection tank or a very small backup reservoir (that only fills up during emergency shutdowns) on most commercial dehumidifiers.
4. Greater portability – Commercial dehumidifiers are optimized for portability. This is because most commercial dehumidifiers are owned and operated by restoration professionals that need to be able to easily move and transport them from one job to the next. The ways in which commercial units are optimized for portability vary. Commercial units are often stackable. Many come with semi-pneumatic wheels that makes them much easier to roll around than consumer grade units with casters. Most also have heavy duty handles that make moving them from one location to the next easier. Finally, most commercial dehumidifiers have a very long 25 ft power cord. This allows them to easily be used in out of the way, difficult to reach areas which would otherwise require that you use a cumbersome heavy duty extension cord to use the dehumidifier.
5. More “rugged” build quality – commercial units are built for commercial applications. As such they feature more rugged construction than what you’d find on the average consumer grade dehumidifier. Consumer grade units have a thin plastic outer shell. Commercial units often feature a steel chassis and housing or at least a more durable plastic housing which makes them much more durable and viable in rough commercial settings. Internal parts on commercial units are also “heavier duty” – and thus are “beefier” and more solidly built – than comparable parts on consumer grade units.
6. A greater operating temperature range – many commercial units can be operated in temperatures as low as 33° F and as high as 125° F. Compare this range to the average operating temperature range of a consumer grade dehumidifier – 41° F to about 90° F. This allows for much greater flexibility and versatility in terms of what type of environment a commercial dehumidifier can be used in.
7. More advanced defrost modes – to aid their efficiency in low temperature environments many commercial units are equipped with what we refer to as “advanced defrost modes”. The Ebac Neptune, for example, features a “Hot Gas” defrost mode which actively melts away frost and thereby melts frosts much faster than the more passive defrost modes you find on consumer grade dehumidifiers.
We don’t recommend that you use any consumer grade compressor based dehumidifier in temperatures below 50° F, despite their specified operating temperature limit normally being as low as 41° F. We do not make this same recommendation for commercial units. These advanced defrost modes enable commercial compressor based units to operate efficiently at even the lowest most close to freezing temperatures at the very bottom of their manufacturer specified operating temperature range.
Best Commercial Dehumidifiers
In order to find the best commercial dehumidifier option for consumers, we surveyed all readily available reasonably priced commercial dehumidifiers on the market (compressor based only). Below is a summary of the features and specifications in addition to our own opinion of each dehumidifier that we surveyed.
Note: because of the frequency with which we will refer to “pints per day” in the paragraphs that follow we will use its abbreviation, ” ppd”, instead. We will also refer to conditions at 80° F and 60% RH as conditions at “AHAM” and conditions at 100% RH (relative humidity) as conditions at “saturation”.
#1 Frigidaire FFAD6022W1
We recommend the Frigidaire FFAD6022W1 as the best commercial dehumidifier option for consumers. It’s more heavy duty than the highest capacity 50 pint consumer grade dehumidifiers, while still maintaining a good amount of affordability. Other commercial dehumidifiers can remove more moisture per day, but cost an arm and a leg to do so, making them unaffordable for the average consumer.
2024 Update
The FFAD6022W1 has been updated to have slightly better energy efficiency. The new updated FFAD6022W1 is the FFAD6023W1:
The FFAD6022W1 compared to the FFAD5033W1
We’ve rated the FFAD6022W1 as the best commercial dehumidifier option for consumers, but how does it compare to one of the best rated consumer grade dehumidifiers, the FFAD5033W1? The FFAD6022W1 removes 60 ppd at 65° F and 60% RH, which is 10 ppd more than the FFAD5033W1. The FFAD6022W1 retails for around $400 to $500 while the FFAD5033W1 retails for around $250 to $300. 60 ppd is 20% more than 50 ppd and $400 is about 30% more than $300 (assuming a worst case price for the FFAD5033W1 and a best case price for the FFAD6022W1). Thus, you’re paying 30% more for the FFAD6022W1 for only 20% more moisture removal per day (approximately).
Our recommendation is therefore, at least in terms of value, that you opt for the consumer grade FFAD5033W1 over the FFAD6022W1. The only circumstances under which you should purchase the FFAD6022W1 are one, if you absolutely need its extra 10 ppd of moisture removal and don’t want to spend the approximately $500 to $600 it’s going to take to buy two FFAD5033W1s and two, if you need it to dehumidify a very large area and again don’t want to spend the approximately $500 to $600 on two FFAD5033W1s.
The FFAD6022W1 is capable of dehumidifying very large areas mostly due to its high CFM fan. The FFAD6022W1′s fan operates at 297 CFM on high fan speed and 245 CFM on low fan speed. Compare these speeds to 229 CFM and 167 CFM for the FFAD5033W1 on high and low fan speed. As we discussed earlier in this guide, a higher CFM fan allows for greater moisture removal and a greater area of coverage at the cost of usually being louder than a lower CFM fan. The FFAD6022W1 therefore has a greater moisture removal rate than the FFAD5033W1 and can also dehumidify a larger volume of air. Its higher CFM fans allow it to pull air from a further distance away from the dehumidifier and also circulate air (that exhausts out of the dehumidifier) more efficiently in the space that is to be dehumidified. Of course, should you compare this efficiency to two FFAD5033W1s in the same space, the two FFAD5033W1s would be able to circulate air even more efficiently.
The bottom line is that the FFAD6022W1 should only be purchased if you need a one dehumidifier solution and you absolutely need its extra 10 ppd of moisture removal and/or larger area of coverage. In all other cases, our recommendation is the FFAD5033W1. Click here to read our review.
The FFAD6022W1 compared to other commercial dehumidifiers
The FFAD6022W1 compares much more favorably to other commercial dehumidifiers than it does to high capacity consumer grade dehumidifiers. The reason why we recommend it over other commercial units is primarily due to its price to moisture removal rate ratio. At around $400 to $500 you get a heavy duty commercial grade dehumidifier that removes more moisture per day than other commercial grade units that are 2, 3, even 5 times more expensive. Both Pridiom units retail for over $1000 (approximately) and neither removes more pints of moisture per day than the Frigidaire. The same is true for the BlueDri DB-76P, a unit that retails for over $1000 (approx.). The Ebac Neptune removes even less ppd and is roughly twice as expensive as the FFAD6022W1. Most Dri-Eaz dehumidifiers remove more pints of moisture per day than the Frigidaire but they also retail for several thousand dollars. Getting 60 ppd of moisture removal for around $400 to $500 is a very good value when compared to other commercial grade dehumidifiers.
The major caveat here is of course that the FFAD6022W1 isn’t a commercial dehumidifier in every sense of the term. It doesn’t feature the heavy duty drainage options, advanced defrost modes, and other unique features and functionality that you only find on much more expensive commercial grade dehumidifiers. We only group it with commercial dehumidifiers because of its high moisture removal rate and higher than average CFM fan (although not as high as some commercial units’ fans). Note that we only recommend it as the best commercial dehumidifier to consumers looking for a more heavy duty single dehumidifier option. If you’re looking for the best commercial dehumidifier, period, any one of the Dri-Eaz dehumidifiers we discuss below would be a superior but much more expensive option.
#2 Dri-Eaz Dehumidifiers
While not recommended for and outside of the price range of most consumers, Dri-Eaz dehumidifiers are highly recommended for restoration professionals or anyone looking for the absolute best commercial dehumidifier money can buy (compressor or refrigerant based). Dri-Eaz manufacturers a number of different commercial dehumidifiers. We summarize each model’s most important features and specifications below.
Dri-Eaz Revolution LGR – The Revolution LGR is one of the least expensive commercial dehumidifiers Dri-Eaz manufactures. At around $1800 it’s still a sizable investment, but much more affordable than the $3100 (approx.) LGR 700XLi or the $2800 (approx.) LGR 2800i, for example. Other than price, the other defining features of this dehumidifier are its small size, light weight, and the versatility (in terms of where it can be placed) and portability (how easily it can be transported) that are the direct result of these features. The Revolution LGR is also stackable, further improving its portability, should you purchase multiple units.
Dri-Eaz DrizAir 1200 – The DrizAir 1200 is the least expensive Dri-Eaz dehumidifier we surveyed, retailing for around $1500. It comes equipped with many of the commercial dehumidifier features and functions we outlined earlier in this guide including a hot-gas bypass for faster defrost at cold temperatures and semi-pneumatic wheels and a rigid handle for improved portability.
Dri-Eaz Evolution – The Evolution is the exact same price as the Revolution LGR at the time of the writing of this guide – $1800 (approx.). Like all other Dri-Eaz dehumidifiers we surveyed it features a built-in condensate pump with a 20 ft head (meaning it can pump condensate 20 ft vertically) with an included 40 ft drain hose that is attached to the dehumidifier via a quick connect fitting. Again, like all other Dri-Eaz units we surveyed this is the primary means by which condensate is “collected”. There is a small reservoir to collect water in the event of an unexpected shut down but the primary means by which condensate is “collected” is by draining the dehumidifier through the included 40 ft drain hose.
Dri-Eaz LGR 2800i and LGR 3500i – The LGR 2800i and 3500i are the most heavy duty commercial dehumidifiers we surveyed. These units are built for maximum moisture removal. Both units feature a 400 CFM fan and both can easily remove more than 100 pints of moisture per day at AHAM. The LGR 2800i can remove 130 ppd and the LGR 3500i can remove 170 ppd at AHAM. Both units also have a larger manufacturer specified operating temperature range than any other commercial dehumidifier we surveyed, including all other Dri-Eaz dehumidifiers we surveyed. Both the 2800i and 3500i can be operated in temperatures as warm as 125° F. This type of performance doesn’t come cheap. The LGR 2800i retails for around $2800 and the LGR 3500i retails for about $3100. Both units are also extremely heavy – about 165 lb. each.
Dri-Eaz LGR 7000XLi – The LGR 7000XLi is the same price as the LGR 3500i at the time of the writing of this guide – $3100 (approx.). What makes it unique is its “Advanced Crossflow Technology” which allows for improved efficiency at low grain or in low humidity environments. At 80° F and a mere 20% RH the LGR 7000XLi still removes 17 pints of moisture per day, much more than commercial units from competing manufacturers or any consumer grade dehumidifier.
For pricing on all Dri-Eaz dehumidifiers see below.
#3 BlueDri BD-76P
The BlueDri BD-76P removes 76 ppd at AHAM and 150 ppd at 90° F and 90% RH. It does so at a very competitive price point, at least when compared to other commercial units. The BD-76P retails for around $1200 and has similar features and functionality to the approximately $1500 Dri-Eaz DrizAir 1200. It even looks very similar to the DrizAir 1200. Our biggest problem with the BD-76P is the fact that we were unable to find any information online about its manufacturer. There is no manufacturer website for BlueDri. We procured the manual for this unit and all other relevant information from third party websites. For this reason alone (the fact that it’s by all accounts an unknown commodity in the market) we hesitate to recommend this dehumidifier.
#4 Ebac Neptune
Ebac is a well-known brand that’s much more popular in Europe than in the United States. In Europe Ebac manufactures and distributes both consumer grade dehumidifiers and commercial dehumidifiers. In the United States they appear to be limiting distribution to commercial dehumidifiers. The Neptune is one of many commercial dehumidifiers manufactured by Ebac. We chose it for our survey because its form factor (it’s small and portable) and competitive price is much more likely to entice consumers than other more bulky and more expensive options from Ebac.
At around $800 the Neptune is very competitively priced, at least when compared to other commercial dehumidifiers. Unfortunately, its low price is at the cost of a very low moisture removal rate. The Neptune only removes 52 pints of moisture per day at AHAM. For about $250 the top rated Frigidaire FFAD5033W1 removes many more pints of moisture per day. Why then would anyone ever consider purchasing the Neptune instead?
The reason is or the reasons are – features. The Neptune features an epoxy powder-coated steel chassis and housing which is much more durable than the plastic housing of the FFAD5033W1. It also features a “hot gas” defrost which melts frost much more quickly and more efficiently than the defrost mode of the FFAD5033W1, making the Neptune a much better option at low temperatures. It also features other more minor improvements such as a very long 25 ft power cord. Are these features worth getting the Neptune over the FFAD5033W1? The answer is a resounding no for most. The Neptune is only an option if you need a highly durable dehumidifier than can withstand extreme conditions such as extremely cold temperatures. Then again, there are other better options that fit those requirements, namely any one of the Dri-Eaz dehumidifiers we surveyed above.
#5 Pridiom PGD800HCW and PGD1080HCW
Both the PGD800HCW and the PGD1080HCW retail for well above $1000 (approx.) and both units have very unimpressive moisture removal rates. The PGD800HCW removes only 50 pints of moisture per day at AHAM and the PGD1080HCW removes only 70 pints of moisture per day at AHAM. Both units do come equipped with fairly high CFM fans – 253 CFM to be exact – and both units also feature built-in pumps. However, for a fraction of the price of either Pridiom unit the Frigidaire FFAD6022W1 features a 297 CFM fan and while it doesn’t feature a built-in pump, you can easily purchase and install one separately for less than about $50. Should you want something more durable and more heavy duty (something more “commercial”) the Dri-Eaz DrizAir 1200 is similarly priced and features a similar moisture removal rate (64 ppd) at AHAM with greatly improved durability and performance in commercial settings.
#6 Oasis D-165-HG GST
The Oasis D-165-HG GST really isn’t a commercial dehumidifier at all. The only thing “commercial” about it is its price. At around $500 you would expect it to at least have a built-in pump or some other feature common to most commercial units. Instead, it offers no such features at all. It removes an unimpressive 7.2 gallons or 57.6 pints of moisture per day and appears to offer gravity drainage functionality only. The truth is that we were able to find very little information about this dehumidifier online. The manufacturer’s website only lists the unit’s moisture removal rate, the fact that the unit is on casters, and that it comes with a 5 year warranty. Otherwise, we used product photos to come to the conclusion that the Oasis D-165-HG GST is really nothing more than a consumer grade dehumidifier (at least according to what we define as a consumer grade dehumidifier) that is incorrectly marketed as a commercial unit.
Have a question or comment? Let us know below.
Hi
The commercial model sold near my house is only 35$ Canadian (around 20$ usd difference) more than the consumers grade. So i guess only downside of the commercial grade is noise.
My condo is on a main floor, and is 1500 sqf.
Price not being a factor, What should I go for?
Thanks
Dan
The frigidaire dehumidifiers include an item in specifications called ’40 HQ Stuffing Quantity’. What is this and what is it for? Is more better?
It sounds like a specification that’s intended for a distributor or maybe a retailer, but definitely not for consumers. I think it was probably listed mistakenly.
It is for how many fit in a 40 ft shipping container or truck
I think your reasoning recommending purchase of two Frigidaire model FFAD7033R1 dehumidifiers in lieu of one 95 pint consumer dehumidifier is faulty, due to errors in consideration of operating costs (principally costs of consumed electricity), and lack of appropriate consideration of which >75 pint/day units to test.
You are failing to note the large increase in dehumidifier efficiency (L/KWh) in consumer Energy Star dehumidifiers as their capacities increase beyond 75 pints/day, as evident from inspection of data at http://www.energystar.gov . Furthermore according to current EPA ENERGY STAR Certified standards for consumer dehumidifiers:
* greater than 75 pints/day must have an efficiency >= 2.8 L/KWh, whereas
* dehumidifiers equal or less than 75 pints/day must have an efficiency >= 2.0 L/KWh. Ref: https://www.energystar.gov/sites/default/files/ENERGY STAR_Dehumidifiers_V4 0_Specification_Final_1.pdf
Note that the ENERGY STAR Version 5 Dehumidifier Specification, requiring >= 3.3 L/KWh for units >= 50.01 Pints/Day Capacity as at https://www.energystar.gov/sites/default/files/ENERGY%20STAR%20Dehumidifiers%20Final%20Draft%20Version%205.0%20Specification.pdf is scheduled to take effect on October 18, 2019.
Frigidaire documents its 95 pint dehumidifier model FAD954DWD
as having an efficiency of only 2.5 L/KWh. All current 70 pint Frigidaire dehumidifiers currently listed at http://www.energystar.gov are rated at 2.0 L/KWh.
Yes, we lack adequate data for rigorous costing, allocating capital costs across the operating life of the machine. Costs should be measured in $/litre at defined temperatures and relative humidities. While it is not economic for you to directly measure average dehumidifier lifetime dehumidification hours, let alone based upon operating temperature or humidity, I expect you can economically:
1) measure litres/KWh for the range of temperatures and humidities applicable for most consumers, such as at increments of defined relative humidity (such as 40%, 45%, 50%, 55% and 60%) at defined temperatures (such as 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90 °F), and
2) guestimate average dehumidifier lifetime dehumidification hours, based upon consumer feedback.
A further advantage of larger capacity units is that programmable timers can be better used for greater power cost savings where:
1) time of use power rates apply, (such as in California, New York and Ontario), greater power loads can be shifted to a lower rate periods using a programmable timer, with powered of defrost periods forced into the higher cost rate periods, leading to better, already considerable operating cost savings; and
2) a timer can be used to force a defrost of the dehumifier evaporator coil, without the energy of a fan, in environments where such is appropriate.
3) to cause longer run times, reducing efficiency loss of short cycling, but increasing relative humidity fluctuations.
In reviewing commercial dehumidifiers, I noted the lack of data to justify their major additional capital cost in consumer applications. Many commercial models seem not to last longer than consumer models.
Yesterday, noting the 90 day return option, and using the compounded 10% price match discount offered by Home Depot, I purchased a Danby 90 Pint Dehumidifier Model # DDR095BDPWDB for Cdn350.98=US$261.83 (normally Cdn$448=US$334.21) before application of 13% tax.
I made the purchase after the failure of 2 Haier 65 pint/day 1.8 Litres/KWh units after 6 years of their use in my otherwise often damp 900 square foot basement.
Here in Canada, Danby provides a 2 year parts and labour warranty, consistent with the default legal warranty in Ontario. My credit card adds an extra year of warranty for free. Of 95 pint dehumidifiers on HomeDepot.com,
* the US$329.89 Danby model with its limited 1 year parts and labour warranty, is rated 4.6 stars with 41 reviews, whereas
* the US$429 Frigidaire model with its limited 5-year sealed system warranty, rates only 4.4 stars with 89 reviews.
(At the Amazon.com, dehumidifier ratings are based upon results that include 70 pint models.)
I note that the reviews of the Danby 95 pint/day dehumidifier indicate that Danby has addressed deficiencies of their 70 pint/day dehumidifiers.
Thus I believe the Danby 95 pint dehumidifier purchased from the Canadian Home Depot with its offered price match discount, likely for me and others, has the lowest total net cost per litre water extracted over its lifetime than alternatives.
With this new information do you agree?
While you make great points we do still disagree in terms of what we would recommend for most users.
In most cases you can purchase a single 70 pint unit at a much lower entry cost than a 95 pint unit to start. You can then run the single 70 pint unit to test if if it’s sufficient for the application. If it’s not, you can purchase an additional unit and place it at a different location than the first unit. This provides two points of dehumidification in the system. In other words, you now have two locations spread apart where humid air is taken into the dehumidifier and dried air is pushed back into the system. This is extremely beneficial if the goal is to lower humidity over a large area, which is often the case for users looking to purchase a 95+ pint unit.
In this scenario (2x 70 pint units) you’re also getting 140 pints per day of dehumidification vs 95 pints per day in a single 95 pint model like the Danby you purchased. Not to even mention the fact that the difference in capacity between a 70 and 95 pint unit is slight enough so that if a space is too large or too humid for a single 70 pint unit it is likely too large and/or too humid for a 95 pint unit, making the step up from a single 70 pint to a single 95 pint unit an unnecessary step to take for applications that require more dehumidification than a single 70 or 95 pint unit provides.
All of that being said, the decision to go with a 95 pint model vs a single 70 pint model to start is often simply a matter of evaluating price differences between them. If you’re able to purchase a 95 pint model for as little as you paid then it may very well be the best option. However, for most users and under most circumstances, the difference in price between a 70 pint unit and a 95 pint unit is a big enough difference while the difference in dehumidification rate is a small enough difference for our recommendation of going with a single 70 pint unit to start to be the better option.
We have a large seaside house that was built over an underground stream. The basement is solid and was built with good drainage, but the was more than 100 years ago. We are working on managing the water, but need a serious dehumidifier to keep the place dry. The island is often damp and foggy and there’s always mildew buildup on the ceilings and walls of the first floor in the off season.
I need a dehumidifier that will keep the basement dry in the spring fog and the summer heat and humidity. Electricity costs a bundle on the island, so energy efficiency is a big plus. Any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated
For your application we would recommend starting with one top rated 70 pint compressor based unit like the Frigidaire FFAD7033R1. It’s about as energy efficient of a dehumidifier as you’re going to find on the market and its 70 pint capacity is substantial. If you find a single unit to be insufficient you can always purchase additional units.
I work for a restoration company and have been tasked with getting new equipment for our company. My boss has found some units from B-Air online through Alibaba that are SIGNIFICANTLY less expensive than the units that you mention.
Do you have any feedback on the B-Air units?
There’s nothing wrong with B-Air units although we would recommend you use caution as to which retailer you buy from. B-Air units should not be significantly less expensive than the options we’ve outlined on this page.
We have started a frozen novelties production company and realized a bit late in the game we need to invest in a dehumidifier to resolve product icing issues. Our facility is 1,200 sf and looking to have humidity levels 40% and below. We will set it up to drain constantly and not be manually emptied. Do you have any suggestions for the type and size? Thank you for your assistance in advance.
I have a 10,000 sq ft building with 12′ ceilings. What unit would you recommend? Should I use 1 big unit or 2 smaller units?
Thanks
I have a 30X40X14 foot garage that I would like to get a dehumidifier for. Classic cars in storage. Florida heat. what size unit do you recommend?
We have an old style basement that needs dehumifying and tired of having 2 small units in a 1500 sq foot finished basement. Only need it during the summer and would like one that can drain and not have to be emptied. Any suggestions?
A full size compressor based unit such as this one will work great in 1500 sq. ft.
I am looking for a dehumidifier that will extract 420 liters of moisture per hour, can you help in this matter?
i need advise. im looking for a dehumidifier which can bring the RH in a 1200 cubic foot room down to 20% i use dip lacquer and even medium RH causes hazing on my items. Would you have any recommendations im currently considering getting a drieaz evolution do you think it can fit the bill?
thanks
leo
For humidity levels that low (20%) we would recommend a desiccant unit.
For the situation such as intense flooding which brand and model of commercial dehumidifier would you recommend. I am asking in regards to both homes and businesses which were flooded due to Hurricane Harvey. Thank you.
If you need something for the short term we recommend renting a Dri-Eaz commercial unit. If you’re looking to keep the dehumidifier for the future we would recommend the Frigidaire FAD954DWD.