HVAC Dehumidifier
#1
06-28-16, 04:04 AM
HVAC Dehumidifier
Hello everyone. I'm getting a new heat pump installed this week and the absence of AC these past few weeks has reintroduced me to the horror that is high humidity. lol I realize the new AC will bring our home back to the comfortable home it was by removing humidity like AC typically does, but I wondered about one of the two options to further increase comfort.
1) A HVAC system dehumidifier
OR
2) A stand alone dehumidifier in my mechanical room in the basement.
My home is approx. 30 years old so not super tight but I am working on that. We've never had a major problem with super dry air in our house due to showers and cooking and the like in the winter, but we've never had window condensation or mold problems either. The summertime is where we would like a bit of a reduction and more time spent in our recently finished basement has me here asking for feedback.
From what I know of standalone dehumidifiers, they would work well but I'm concerned about the heat the produce as a byproduct. The last thing I want is to have a dry hot basement in the summertime instead of a cool, slightly damp one.
So, which direction should I go and why? Thank you in advance for your feedback.
1) A HVAC system dehumidifier
OR
2) A stand alone dehumidifier in my mechanical room in the basement.
My home is approx. 30 years old so not super tight but I am working on that. We've never had a major problem with super dry air in our house due to showers and cooking and the like in the winter, but we've never had window condensation or mold problems either. The summertime is where we would like a bit of a reduction and more time spent in our recently finished basement has me here asking for feedback.
From what I know of standalone dehumidifiers, they would work well but I'm concerned about the heat the produce as a byproduct. The last thing I want is to have a dry hot basement in the summertime instead of a cool, slightly damp one.
So, which direction should I go and why? Thank you in advance for your feedback.
#2
06-28-16, 07:03 AM
Group Moderator
I just have a standalone in the basement. Yes, it produces a little heat but the basement is not getting hot as a result. Without the dehumidifier down there, I would have to open more of the HVAC vents down there to control the humidity and that would make it too cold.
#3
06-28-16, 08:29 AM
Member
Modern HVAC is a pretty efficient dehumidifier if it is sized correctly. Sometimes folks are sold or choose a bigger system than necessary so it cools quickly, but then it doesn't run long enough to remove enough humidity. Other folks run the AC during the hottest part of the day, then shut it off in the evening and open all the windows. That can be ok in a low humidity area, but not a good idea in humid climes. A lot of the energy used by an AC goes to removing the water from the air, so it doesn't save energy to open the windows at night if you fill the house with humid air that then needs to be dehumidified the next day.
#4
06-29-16, 02:56 PM
Thank you to those that replied. The system we are getting is a 2.5 ton and thats what we have had the past 12 years. It seems to be sized right as we aren't having many issues and the system is 15 years old. (was here when we bought the house)
Opening windows at night is fine from a temperature standpoint but humidity and allergy sufferers in our house (which is all of us) don't care for open windows.
It's good to hear a stand alone unit doesn't drive occupants out with heat, I had the impression it would. I'm not sure which was to go on this, I like the idea of a hard wired system tied to our HVAC system, but I'm finding those are hard to find info on, but maybe I need to search more.
Opening windows at night is fine from a temperature standpoint but humidity and allergy sufferers in our house (which is all of us) don't care for open windows.
It's good to hear a stand alone unit doesn't drive occupants out with heat, I had the impression it would. I'm not sure which was to go on this, I like the idea of a hard wired system tied to our HVAC system, but I'm finding those are hard to find info on, but maybe I need to search more.
#5
07-01-16, 01:41 PM
Member
Therma-Stor LLC Very good choice for ducted or stand alone. Uses 1/2 the electricity than an off the shelf unit. plus has more capacity at basement temps.
#6
07-03-16, 07:54 AM
I'm sure those systems work well but the price tag, especially after I just paid for a new heat pump and air handler were too far outside the budget. I ended up with a figidare 70 pint one from lowes since I had store credit there, it just made sense. Thanks for everyones help, we finally have a dry and cool house!
