Dehumidifiers

What do dehumidifiers do?

Indoor air that has too much moisture in it (high humidity) can cause damage to structures and furnishings and contribute to increased growth in moisture-loving microbes. A dehumidifier removes this unwanted moisture from indoor air, returning dry air to the space. Models are available in a wide array of sizes to fit any space in your home. In addition to removing excess moisture, they also contribute to your home's comfort because regulating the humidity level will make your home feel cooler and more comfortable. Read more about relative humidity.

How do dehumidifiers work?

Dehumidifiers work in one of two ways.

• Refrigerant, or compressor, dehumidifiers work by drawing moist air over coils that have been cooled with refrigerant to lower its temperature below dewpoint. The moisture in the air condenses, and the water is collected in a container or drained away. The dry air is then exhausted into the room or space.
• Desiccant dehumidifiers use a wheel coated with silica gel, which slowly revolves as moist air is drawn over it. Using a process called adsorption, moisture is collected on the wheel and dry air is expelled back into the space. A small amount of air is warmed and blown over the wheel to regenerate the gel and is also expelled into the space. No condensate is created or collected, and these units can be used in below-freezing temperatures without needing oversight.

How many dehumidifiers do I need?

Most residential spaces need only one dehumidifier to effectively remove unwanted moisture from the air. Dehumidifiers are available in a variety of sizes, ranging from single rooms as small as 400 square feet all the way to whole house models. There are also units that are designed for use in the harsher environments of crawl spaces and unfinished basements.

How are dehumidifiers drained?

Refrigerant dehumidifiers create condensate (water), which is usually collected in a bucket that can be manually emptied when it is full. Many models can also be set up to drain continuously using a drain hose attached to the back of the unit and extended into an appropriate draining place. This can be a floor drain, a sink, or even out through a window. Some models include internal condensate pumps that allow them to push the accumulated water horizontally or vertically up to a specified height for easier draining. Desiccant dehumidifiers do not need to be drained as they produce no condensate.

About our dehumidifier brands

Sylvane has a variety of brands for all types of dehumidifiers.

Room dehumidifier brands include:

• Honeywell: Energy Star-rated, manual or continuous drain, and onboard humidistats
• DeLonghi: Energy Star-rated, optional condensate pumps, low operating temperatures
• Ecor Pro: Desiccant dehumidifiers, very low operating temperatures, steel construction
• Friedrich: Energy Star-rated, digital controls, 24-hour timer, optional condensate pumps
• Frigidaire: Energy Star rated, onboard humidistat, optional condensate pumps, digital controls

Crawl space or unfinished basement dehumidifier brands include:

• Santa Fe: High-capacity, energy efficient, whole-house models, engineered and assembled in the US
• Dri-Eaz: Rugged housing, digital control panel with data tracking, reliable operation, made in the US
• AlorAir: Economical pricing, steel construction, low temperature operation, drain line
• Aprilaire: Made in the US, whole house and basement models, ventilation kit option

Looking for a heavy-duty dehumidifier? Shop our wide selection of Industrial Dehumidifiers.