These appliances can provide a quick fix for dampness
A dehumidifier can take that sticky feeling out of damp basements and other steamy spots for as little as $140. Our latest gauntlet of tests yielded CR Best Buys in two of the three size categories.
Dehumidifiers dry air by passing it over chilled coils, where the moisture condenses and drips into a tank. All the models we tested shut off when the tank is full to prevent an overflow. You can also attach a hose to route water into a basement floor drain, saving you the hassle of emptying the tank. One model, the DeLonghi DE500p, $330, has a pump that can push water up and out through a window.
Most new dehumidifiers shut off their compressor if there is frost on the coils-common in cooler spaces-since frost blocks airflow. This frost control prevents models from wasting energy by running without dehumidifying. Digital humidity displays are another feature on most, along with timers you can program to turn units on and off while you're away.
All 17 dehumidifiers we tested in our 13x17-foot test chamber scored well overall. But as our humidistat-accuracy scores show, some came much closer to the humidity levels we set. Some used more energy, some were noisier, and a few needed help restarting after a simulated blackout. We also tested water-absorbing desiccant crystals that did little drying.
Here are the details:
Several cost more to run. Some models guzzle more than water. Based on average electricity rates, running the large Haier HD656E, $200, could cost up to $37 more than the similarly sized, top-scoring Danby DDR606, $250, if you were to use both continuously over six months.
Two are relatively raucous. Noise is a concern in living space. Our measurements from 4 feet range from 55 decibels for the quietest models to 67 decibels for the loudest we tested. That's roughly the difference between the sound of loud conversation and the din of street traffic.
Several balk after blackouts. We tested how well models ran on lower voltage, simulating a brownout, and whether they turned themselves back on after a simulated power outage. The large-capacity Danby and Sunpentown SD-60E, $250, medium-capacity DeLonghi DE500p, and small Bionaire BDQ25-UC, $225, and GoldStar GHD30, $140, all had to be switched on again after our simulated blackout. The GoldStar also failed to run when the power dipped to 100 volts.
A desiccant disappoints. The manufacturer of DampRid, which uses calcium-chloride crystals, claims it will lower humidity to about 50 percent in spaces up to 1,000 square feet. Several smaller, refillable buckets or two large disposable ones cost $26 to $28, so DampRid is a tempting alternative for closets without the airflow needed for a dehumidifier. Just don't expect fast work. Even the largest bucket removed less than 2 ounces of moisture over 24 hours in our test chamber, compared with 25 pints claimed for our smallest dehumidifier.
HOW TO CHOOSE
Even the best dehumidifier might not help moisture linked to structural flaws. Here's what else to consider:
Size up your needs. Large-capacity dehumidifiers tend to remove more water for every kilowatt-hour used. But you may prefer a less pricey, smaller-capacity model for smaller, less-wet spaces.
Look for accuracy. Choose a model judged at least good for humidistat accuracy so you get what you set. On digital models, you also want an accurate display. Most digital readouts were reasonably close; the one on the otherwise capable Comforte-Aire BHD-651, $300, was off significantly. Optimal relative humidity is 30 to 50 percent. If that's the readout and you're still uncomfortable, consider checking it against a humidity meter (about $20) and set it accordingly.
