Let’s say you want to regulate the moisture levels in the crawl space of your Orlando, FL, home. Dehumidifiers are essential in helping keep crawl spaces healthy and free of mold. You’ve explored various dehumidifiers but can’t seem to make up your mind on what type is your best choice. So you’re stuck trying to figure out whether an energy-efficient dehumidifier or a standard unit is right for your home.

In this post, we’ll show you the difference between the old established dehumidifiers and the new generation of energy-efficient units so you can make the right choice.

The Difference Between Standard and Energy Efficient Dehumidifiers

Standard dehumidifiers have been the norm in keeping crawl space air moisture free for many years. But the new generation of dehumidifiers is different. Some ways these dehumidifiers differ include:

Energy consumption

While electric consumption varies with a unit’s capacity, you can guess who wins here. A high-capacity ENERGY STAR® certified dehumidifier removes more moisture (approximately 100 pints per day) out of the air for less electricity cost than conventional units. Larger units are going to be more effective and faster in removing moisture from crawl space air than smaller units.

Noise level

And then there’s the issue of noise, most of which originates from the fan. Low fan speed dehumidifiers have an excellent noise rating. At 40db or below, they’re just about as loud as a home refrigerator. You won’t get a standard dehumidifier that makes less noise than 40db when set on the highest speed. With the modern units, you have the option to switch to the quieter mode, which isn’t available in most conventional dehumidifiers.

Other features

The high-efficiency models have more useful features than conventional dehumidifiers. For instance, they have humidity sensors that monitor the air and self-draining mechanism that automatically removes water.  There’s no need to empty buckets. Two-stage air filtration removes mold spores and other pollutants from the air. Once the moisture level is normalized, they will shut off to save energy. You will end up with a dry and healthy crawl space, and the benefits will extend to the rest of the home too!

Other Factors to Consider With Your Crawl Space Dehumidifier

Experts from Energy Star recommend the following to get more out of your dehumidifier.

• Set the optimal humidity level between 30 and 50 percent (and 30 to 40 percent during the heating season). Anything higher than that can foster the growth of mildew, mold, or dust mites.
• Identify the right spot for your dehumidifier and leave enough room for air to freely circulate in and out of your unit.
• Close all doors and windows before you run your dehumidifier. It will allow your device to run efficiently.
• Go for a dehumidifier with a built-in water pump that discharges water horizontally or vertically into a sink or a drain.
• Keep the filters of your dehumidifier clean and updated by taking advantage of our annual service and maintenance program. Our technicians will check to make sure your unit is working efficiently, and they can check and change the filters. When they get dirty, your unit’s efficiency will take a hit.
• Look for a dehumidifier with a sensor that determines the optimal fan speed and duration of the defrost cycle as it can slash your power consumption.

Looking to install an energy-efficient dehumidifier in your crawl space? Need help in choosing the best unit? Schedule a free crawl space inspection with our expert team and get solid recommendations before you make a move.