Dehumidifier Buying Guide & Maintenance Tips
A damp home or basement can lead to trouble down the road. Mold, mildew and dust mites thrive in damp conditions and stored items like paper and fabric can collect the moisture and end up in ruins. One surefire way to combat dampness in your home is to use a dehumidifier. As the name suggests, a dehumidifier pulls the humidity out of the room and pushes dry air out. If you’re looking for a dehumidifier for your home, these tips will help you with the selection process and keep it humming for years to come.
When shopping for a dehumidifier, you need to keep the size of the room in mind. Dehumidifiers are classified by the number of pints of water they remove from the air within a 24-hour period. For instance, the Kenmore 30-pt. Dehumidifier, which will remove 30 pints of humidity in 24-hours, is ideal for up to 300 square feet. For larger spaces the Kenmore 50-pt. Dehumidifier or the Kenmore 70-pt. Dehumidifier are good options. They’re recommended for rooms that are 500 square feet and 700 square feet respectively.
Most dehumidifiers drain into an integrated bucket that will need to be emptied periodically. In very humid conditions, the bucket may need to be emptied multiple times per day. A hose can be connected to the back of the dehumidifier and led to a floor drain. The water will then bypass the bucket and drain directly through the house and into the floor drain, eliminating the extra chore of emptying the bucket. Just make sure the hose leads to a drain that’s lower than the dehumidifier to ensure proper draining. To drain into a sink, window or any receptacle that’s above where the dehumidifier is located, you’ll need a model with a water pump.
Dehumidifiers are also equipped with a filter. Periodically washing the filter will keep the air cleaner. All of the Kenmore dehumidifiers include an air filter reminder that will alert you after 250 hours of use to clean the filter. Simply remove the filter, run it under some water and then dry it before replacing it in the dehumidifier.
Two of our dehumidifiers – the Kenmore 70-pt. Dehumidifier with Water Pump and the Kenmore 50-pt. Dehumidifier – were recommended by a leading consumer magazine for their excellent water removal and energy efficiency.
Extra tip: Dehumidifiers are also handy for making paint and drywall dry more quickly, especially on humid days.
Kenmore
The Kenmore brand represents 100 years of trusted performance, backed by exclusive features and innovations that no other brand can bring to the table. We’re always evolving to ensure day-to-day tasks are taken care of with faster cooking, better cleaning and more living throughout the home.
