A detailed guide on buying the best dehumidifier for crawl space in 2024
Last updated on: April 1, 2024.
Contents
- A detailed guide on buying the best dehumidifier for crawl space in 2024
- Want the best dehumidifier for crawl space? Read this before buying.
- 3 Reasons Your Crawl Space Has High Humidity & Grows Stuff
- Why should you put a dehumidifier in your crawl space?
- 8 Best Dehumidifiers For Crawl Space (April 2024)
- 1. Aprilaire E100 Pro 100 Pint Dehumidifier for Crawl Spaces
- 2. Santa Fe Advance90 Dehumidifier
- 3. Aprilaire 1830 70-Pint Whole House Dehumidifier
- 4. AlorAir Basement/Crawl Space 55 Pints Dehumidifiers
- 5. Dri-Eaz PHD 200 Crawl Space Dehumidifier
- 6. AlorAir Basement/Crawlspace 90 Pints Dehumidifiers
- 7. Santa Fe Advance100 Dehumidifier
- 8. Aprilaire 1870F 130 Pint Dehumidifier
- BUYING GUIDE
- Things to consider before buying a crawl space dehumidifier
- Expert solutions to maintain the humidity level under the house
- Our Verdict
- FAQ Section
- Final Words:
Want the best dehumidifier for crawl space? Read this before buying.
Do you dream of living in a home that is comfortable, healthy, strong, and sustainable?
To design the home of your dreams, you must look beyond the structure’s exterior and focus on its inner workings.
This isn’t about your basement. We are talking about the unnoticeable crawl space beneath your home, which elevates and protects it. There’s a lot going on in your crawlspace, such as duct work, plumbing, air conditioning, heating, insulation, and electric wiring.
Most American homes are built on top of crawl spaces that are one to three feet between the ground and the first floor. A crawl space can offer tremendous advantages to households in humid regions or coastal areas with sandy soils where excessive moisture and water can easily cause structural damage.
Your crawl space needs powerful dehumidification to combat mold and mildew, prevent respiratory disease, prevent foul odors, and defend the home’s structural integrity. Moisture can seep into your living space if you do not properly eliminate the moisture in these confined spaces. Unless your crawl space is effectively dehumidified, insulating and encapsulating will not yield the desired results.
It is necessary to have under-house dehumidifiers with high power efficiency and large capacity to maintain moisture levels even at low temperatures.
Click here, to get straight to our comparison table of the best 8 crawl space dehumidifiers.
3 Reasons Your Crawl Space Has High Humidity & Grows Stuff
Ever wondered why the crawl spaces in the belly of your home are mucky and humid with spores, mold, and mildew?
Crawl spaces usually tend to get out of mind, as they are out of sight. Most of them smell of moldy, rotten wood, with damaged insulation and wiring. If left uncared for, they can damage the structural integrity of your house, cause serious health problems and increase power bills to a great extent.
Here are three reasons why your crawl space suffers from high humidity and micro-organism growth.
💧 Stagnant water
Look for drainage or plumbing leakage in your crawlspace. This is a significant cause of increased moisture levels and the growth of mold and mildew. So make sure you fix it immediately.
If you live in a low lying or flood-prone area or have an underground pool or pond, then your crawl spaces will be the most affected area in your home. Ensure that you waterproof the walls and floors of your crawl space to avoid water seepage problems. Choose the best crawl space appliance to dry out the humid air from this confined area at home.
💨 Water vapor
Water that evaporates from the ground also adds to the humidity levels of the crawl space. Wet mud or soil in the crawl space is another major contributor to the problem. This issue can be fixed by deploying a vapor barrier.
🌡️ Warm air inflow
Air flowing in through the crawl space vents bring in excessive moisture. Relative humidity increases if the warm air laden with moisture enters the crawl space in your home.
Why should you put a dehumidifier in your crawl space?
Optimising humidity levels in your crawlspace is essential for curbing mold growth and other unhealthy conditions. If you can maintain the humidity level at 55%, then the air in your home crawlspace area will be healthy.
The best way to maintain the relative humidity levels is by installing an efficient dehumidifier in your crawl space area. Here are the benefits you can gain from a crawl space dehumidifier.
🔸 Eliminates allergy triggers that cause respiratory ailments
🔸 Improves air quality at home
🔸 Lessens energy bills
🔸 Preserves the stability and structural integrity of your home
🔸 Stops insect and rodent infestation
🔸 Prevents growth of mold, mildew, and dust mites
🔸 Prevents rusting of vintage electronic items
🔸 Protects your precious belongings from damage
🔸 Reduces unpleasant smells and odors
🔸 Reduces condensation and visibility issues on the window area
With that being said, lets head over to the list of best crawlspace dehumidifiers available in the market.
8 Best Dehumidifiers For Crawl Space (April 2024)
| Image | PRODUCT/ Features | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
Our Top Pick |
Aprilaire E100 Pro 100 Pint DehumidifierSize: 34 x 15.42 x 17.1 inches Weight: 64 lbs. Additional Features: Energy Efficient, 5-year warranty, Set it and Forget |
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Runner Up |
Santa Fe Advance90 DehumidifierSize: 19.4 x 14.5 x 26 inches Weight: 80 lbs. Additional Features: 6-year warranty, Humidity Control Knob, MERV 13 filter |
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Aprilaire 1830 70-Pint Whole House DehumidifierSize: 14.5 x 12.5 x 25 inches Weight: 67 lbs. Additional Features: Adjustable Outlet Options, Auto Defrost Control, 8-foot power cord |
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AlorAir Sentinel 55 Pints DehumidifierSize: 19.2 x 12.2 x 13.3 inches Weight: 57.32 lbs. Additional Features: Up to 1,300 Sq. Ft, energy saving, Gravity Draining |
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Dri-Eaz PHD 200 Crawl Space DehumidifierSize: 17.6 x 12.5 x 21.5 inches Weight: 65 lbs. Additional Features: Electronic control panel, Automatic Restart |
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Budget pick |
AlorAir Basement/Crawlspace 90 Pints DehumidifiersSize: 23.2 x 15.2 x 17.7 inches Weight: 57.32 lbs. Additional Features: Low operating temperature (36 degrees), Ducting Options |
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Santa Fe Advance100 DehumidifierCapacity: 23.2 x 15.2 x 17.7 inches Weight: 57.32 lbs. Additional Features: Wi-Fi dehumidifier, 49 to 95 degrees F |
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Aprilaire 1870F 130 Pint DehumidifierSize: 14.5 x 12.5 x 27.5 inches Weight: 75 lbs. Additional Features: up to 3900 sq. ft, auto humidity control |
1. Aprilaire E100 Pro 100 Pint Dehumidifier for Crawl Spaces
Highlights:
1. 5-year warranty
2. up to 5,500 Sq. Ft.
3. 100 pints of water per day
Need a long lasting, mess-free, energy efficient dehumidifier for your crawl space? Then check out Aprilaire E100 Pro dehumidifier for a no-frill moisture removal.
Eliminating up to 100 pints of moisture every day, the Aprilaire E100 Pro model is ideal for dehumidifying areas that are up to 5500 square feet. Easy and interactive, its display, touch pad controls, and control panel make sure that the product usage is a breeze. Another convenience factor,when we tested it, is its low maintenance feature with no messy trays to empty.
The air filter also requires cleaning or replacement only after a year. Its coils are coated with aluminum, to prevent corrosion and leaks. It has digital controls with remote capability which makes the unit user friendly. Aprilaire E100 dehumidifier is by far the best crawl space dehumidifier in the market for this price.
Here are its pros and cons.
Pros
✔️ Simple filter cleaning
✔️ No Messy Trays to remove water
✔️ Easy to Set up
Cons
❌ None
2. Santa Fe Advance90 Dehumidifier
Highlights:
1. 6 Year Warranty
2. Heavy Duty Cabinet
3. 90 Pints per day
Pros
✔️ Removes moisture like a beast
✔️ Long Lasting
✔️ Offers best filtration
Cons
❌ No cons
3. Aprilaire 1830 70-Pint Whole House Dehumidifier
Highlights:
1. Automatic Humidity Control
2. MERV-8 Air Filter
3. American-Made
Need a low maintenance dehumidifier that is built to last in crawl spaces? Try the Aprilaire 1830 70-Pint dehumidifier.
Designed to remove over 70 pints of moisture from not just crawl spaces but also from living spaces that are up to 3,800 sq ft large, the Aprilaire 1830 model is designed to make sure that the whole house is dehumidified evenly. With no messy trays to empty, and once a year filter cleaning and replacement, this unit is super easy to maintain along with your existing HVAC system.
Its built-in humidistat relieves you from the hassle of manually adjusting its operations based on your humidity requirements. Users can BENEFIT from its automatic humidity control, built-in ventilation, and multiple installation options that come with two 10-inch duct collars for flexible air return and supply.
The Aprilaire 1830 unit contains a drain port that gravity drains the collected condensate, thus eliminating messy spills from the water container. There are four levelling rubber feet and adjustable outlet options that facilitate proper drainage. Here are its pros and cons.
Pros
✔️ Easy to Set Up
✔️ Value for money
Cons
❌ Bulky
4. AlorAir Basement/Crawl Space 55 Pints Dehumidifiers
Highlights:
1. Remote Controller
2. MERV-8 Filter
3. Water Full Protection
Are small, compact, and portable crawl space dehumidifiers your need of the hour? Then choose the AlorAir Sentinel HD55 model, which is ideal for tight space dehumidification.
With the capacity to remove 55 to 120 pints of water per day, under different temperature conditions, this dehumidifier is the best choice for even commercial spaces such as warehouses, factories, bars, restaurants, museums, and laboratories. It is energy-efficient with the ability to remove 5 pints per kilowatt consumed, in spaces up to 1,300 square feet.
It has Hot Gas Valve (HGV), a quick and efficient defrosting process that enables this unit to work continuously and efficiently at low temperatures (36 degrees Fahrenheit) without any interruption. This helps in saving energy and cost up to $250 per year, and also ensures the longevity of the unit.
When you maintain a consistent 50% relative humidity range, then there will be no need to keep the thermostat at low, uncomfortable temperatures. This model has a powerful R410A refrigerant, four-floor mat wheels, and gravity draining features. It has a robust internal corrosion control system that minimises Freon leakage quickly.
Its preassembly features, external condensate connection point, and side sliding filter simplify the installation process. The functionalities of this dehumidifier can be conveniently controlled using an optional external remote control system. Here are its pros and cons.
Pros
✔️ Energy efficient
✔️ 5 year warranty
Cons
❌ Slight noise levels
5. Dri-Eaz PHD 200 Crawl Space Dehumidifier
Highlights:
1. Two operating modes
2. High power condensate pump
3. 20 ft drain hose
Want a compact and durable dehumidifier that can pump out excess water? Then the new Dri-Eaz PHD 200 is the best bet for you.
This heavy-duty, commercial dehumidifier with an internal condensate pump is useful for relentless moisture removal from large crawl spaces in warehouses, factories, and marine environments. Removing 75 pints of moisture per day in AHAM conditions (80 degrees F, 60% relative humidity), this model can also remove 134 pints per day approximately in nearly saturated conditions. So it has a collective 200 pint capability in up to 1300 sq ft.
This model includes a high-power condensate pump that pumps out collected water up to 3 feet and drains it through a 20-foot drain hose. Its roto molded polythylene housing comprises of a digital control panel and a built-in humidistat. Every time the dehumidifier is powered, its onboard self-diagnostic system comes to life and ensures smooth operation.
It has a powerful refrigerant and is compact with recessed handles and feet for easy transportation around your facility. It also has an auto defrost system and an automatic restart option on power failure. The manufacture offers 1 year warranty on parts and labor.
Here are its pros and cons.
Pros
✔️ Efficient pumping of collected water
✔️ Easy to use
Cons
❌ Requires frequent replacement of mesh air filter
6. AlorAir Basement/Crawlspace 90 Pints Dehumidifiers
Highlights:
1. Automatic Humidistat Control
2. Low Temperature (36 F)
3. Memory Starting
Want to put your crawl space humidity problems to rest? Try the AlorAir Sentinel HDi90 198 PPD dehumidifier.
With the capacity to remove 90 pints to 198 pints of humidity per day, this model can dehumidify up to 2600 square feet of crawl space area. Equipped with a built-in continuous condensate pump, the Sentinel HDi90 unit facilitates easy water drainage to 4.5 meters high. Its coils have an epoxy coating that prevents corrosion and freon leaks and sustains its heat transfer ability and longevity.
With automatic humidistat control, this model facilitates easy ducting options, maneuverability, and water protection. Its in-built pumping feature, strong Hot Gas Valve (HGV) defrosting system, optional remote control system, efficient G3 filters, low temperature operation, and ETL certification makes this dehumidifier a good option for reducing moisture levels.
Here are its pros and cons.
Pros
✔️ Energy star certified
✔️ Remote Control System
Cons
❌ Not very quiet
7. Santa Fe Advance100 Dehumidifier
Highlights:
1. 8-foot drain hose
2. Up to 2,400 sq ft
3. Efficient air filtration
Are you looking for a long-term, versatile, and powerful dehumidifier for crawl space? Then, look no further than the Santa Fe Advance100 model.
With an innate capability to remove up to 100 pints of moisture per day, Santa Fe Advance100 Dehumidifier can dehumidify crawl spaces that are 3700 sq ft large. Updated to suit today’s moisture removal requirements, this unit is one of the latest models from Santa Fe, the industry leader in high-efficiency dehumidification. It is highly suitable for harsh conditions and low temperature environments.
Energy Star-rated for efficiency, the Santa Fe Advance100 Dehumidifier is the first large-capacity dehumidifier that you can control using Wi-Fi connection (using the free Santa Fe Connect app). This feature comes handy if your dehumidifier is in areas that are difficult to access. It is also the FIRST dehumidifier unit that can be ducted horizontally and vertically, comprising a unique outer cabinet that facilitates flexible moisture discharge. The model is easy to use and comes with levelling feet and hang kit for sturdy installation that can save space.
This unit also helps you save money over time, as it is Energy Star rated. For every kWh, it can pull over 6 pints (2.93 litres) of moisture. The Advance 100 model comprises of an 8-foot gravity drain hose for gravity draining.
Following the moisture levels in the air, this model automatically switches to normal (215 CFM) or high (325 CFM) fan speeds. Its air filtration, auto defrost, and auto restart features are among the best in the world. As the Santa Fe Advance 100 is ETL listed, it guarantees safe and efficient operation.
Here are its pros and cons.
Pros
✔️ Anytime, anywhere wi-fi enabled humidity control
✔️ Powerful dehumidification
✔️ Six year warranty
Cons
❌ Not Cost Effective
8. Aprilaire 1870F 130 Pint Dehumidifier
Highlights:
1. Interactive Display
2. Once a year filter cleaning
3. Corrosion resistant coils
Looking for a large size, automatic moisture removing dehumidifier in your crawl space? Then look no further than the Aprilaire 1870F XL Basement Pro dehumidifier.
With a moisture removal capacity of 130 pints per day, this dehumidifier is the best crawl space model for areas around 3800 square feet. It is convenient to use and easily manoeuvrable with an interactive display, control panel, and caster wheels.
The coils are coated with aluminum to prevent corrosion and leaks. With no messy water trays to empty, using this dehumidifier is mess-free and falls under the low maintenance category. Even the air filters need to be cleaned and replaced only once every year. Its set and forget feature enables automatic dehumidification when there is excess moisture, and the humidity level rises.
Here are its pros and cons.
Pros
✔️ Automatic dehumidification
✔️ Built to last
Cons
❌ Expensive
❌ Heavy
BUYING GUIDE
Make an informed decision by reading our guides and tips. We’ve tried to cover as many models as possible.
Things to consider before buying a crawl space dehumidifier
Eliminating water seepage in your crawl spaces is an existential need. After you have spent so much money on purchasing or constructing the building, you must ensure that the structure stays healthy and clean for long. Investing in the best crawl space dehumidifier is one of the crucial steps towards keeping yourself and your building healthy.
Here are things or aspects you need to consider before buying a crawl space dehumidifier. Ask yourself the following questions before you head out to buy a dehumidifier for a crawl space.
◼️ What is its water removal capacity? How much excess moisture can it remove (pints per day)?
◼️ How much space does it cover?
◼️ Does it have a Hot Gas Valve (HGV) auto-defrost system?
◼️ Does it comprise of an air purification system with a removable air filter
◼️ How often must you remove and clean the air filter?
◼️ Does it have a built-in humidistat and hygrometer?
◼️ Is it a WATERPROOF design?
◼️ Does the water collection tank automatically shut off to prevent overflow?
◼️ Is there continuous gravity drainage with an external hose attached to its back?
◼️ Does it possess an internal condensate pump for anywhere drainage?
◼️ What is the warranty coverage for parts and labor?
◼️ Does the dehumidifier fit your budget?
A good crawl space dehumidifier with a decent moisture removal capacity of at least 70 pints or more will cost somewhere between $850 to $1700.
After ensuring that most of the responses to the above questions are in the affirmative, you can choose your best crawl space dehumidifier from the market.
Expert solutions to maintain the humidity level under the house
Any old dehumidifier will not help you with your humidity issues in your crawl space. Remember that a good dehumidifier is your weapon to fight respiratory diseases, building integrity, inflated utility bills, cable and plumbing repairs, insects, rodents, wood rot, molds, fungi, dirt, and muck.
You cannot settle for just any dehumidifier with cheap publicity. You need an expert unit that has been specially manufactured for dark, dank, and sprawling underground areas with excess moisture content.
We have reviewed the top eight dehumidifiers, made from American manufacturers, exclusively for American homes.
We have meticulously considered all the key parameters, specifications, and even customer reviews before offering our expert review on the best dehumidifier buy for crawl spaces.
Here is our verdict!
Our Verdict
🥇 Winner- Best and Powerful Crawlspace Dehumidifier- Santa Fe Advance 90
The 1st place goes to Aprilaire – E100 Pro Dehumidifier. Offering efficient moisture removal with compact design, this dehumidifier is the best buy for crawl spaces up to 5,500 square feet.
Here are its specifications.
⭐ Dimensions – 34 x 15.42 x 17.1 inches
⭐ Weight – 64 pounds
⭐ Model number– E100
⭐ Volume – 100 pints
⭐ Warranty – Five years
💰 Our Budget Pick – AlorAir Sentinel HD90 120 PPD
The AlorAir Sentinel HD90 model is a steal among compact, portable dehumidifiers for tight spaces. Efficiently removing up to 198 pints moisture from 2600 square feet of crawl space, this compact dehumidifier comes with a 5 year limited warranty on parts.
Here are its specifications.
⭐ Dimensions – 23.2 x 15.2 x 17.7 inches
⭐ Weight – 57.32 pounds
⭐ Model number– Sentinel HDi90
⭐ Volume – 90 pints
⭐ Draining – Gravity Draining
⭐Water Full Protection – Yes
FAQ Section
1. Does a dehumidifier help prevent mold growth in our crawl space?
Dark and damp crawl spaces are the perfect breeding ground for dust mites, molds, mildews, and spores. Molds specifically thrive in crawl spaces where there is excessive moisture. To prevent mold growth, you must make sure your crawl space areas are dry with low relative humidity levels.
When left unchecked, the mold will enter the living spaces in your home and cause an infestation, which will be challenging to remove. Good crawl space dehumidifiers provide the best solution to get rid of the molds. By removing moisture from the air, the dehumidifiers make sure that the mold growth is reduced and is finally gone one fine day.
2. How much noise does a crawl space dehumidifier produce?
It is a known fact that dehumidifiers make a lot of noise. The compressor, exhaust fans, and condensate pumps are vital contributors to the sound levels. On average, a home dehumidifier noise is rated around 55-60 dB, which is about the same as regular human speech sound level.
Some crawl space dehumidifiers tend to get noisier when the fan motor or compressor mounting brackets or screws become loose. This improper connection causes the fan or compressor to vibrate and become noisy. So whenever you feel that the dehumidifier in your crawl space has started becoming noisy, first unplug the dehumidifier and tighten any loose components. Even after tightening, if the noise increases, you may have to replace the fan or compressor.
3. What is the ideal humidity level for a crawl space?
Maintaining the HYGIENE and humidity levels in crawl spaces is critical for the health of the building and its inhabitants. 30% to 60% is the magical humidity level that will help you achieve your building and health goals. Maintaining a 55% humidity level is ideal for your crawl space.
4. Does an encapsulated crawl space need a dehumidifier?
As part of the efforts to reduce the moisture and mold in crawl spaces, you can try encapsulating your confined space. Encapsulation is the process of completely sealing every seam, crack, junction, and vent in your crawl space with white plastic.
A well maintained and conditioned crawl space creates a clean area, promotes better air quality, and saves money on energy bills. However, even after encapsulation, the best crawl spaces require a dehumidifier to keep the area dry, clean, and insulated from temperature fluctuations.
5. How to remove a house’s crawl space smell?
Crawl space odor is caused by mold, mildew, insects, and rodents. This unpleasant smell affects the quality of life for the occupants of the building, causing respiratory allergies. The best way to remove the stench is by installing a dehumidifier that is easy to use and specifically designed for your crawl space area.
Final Words:
We now conclude our insights, reviews, and FAQs that will help you choose the right dehumidifier for your crawl space. It doesn’t matter whether you purchase them online or head out to the nearest store to pick your best buy. Remember that investing in a dehumidifier unit is the best thing you can do for your home and crawl space in humid areas.
Check out if the model you intend to buy has good manufacturer warranty coverage for parts and labor. Make sure you monitor the unit’s portability, power efficiency, digital controls, energy consumption, and sensor functionalities before purchasing. Aprilaire E100 Pro is the editor’s pick for the best under house dehumidifier.
Say goodbye to mold and mildew, respiratory diseases, foul odors, and allergy triggers by buying the dehumidifying unit that suits your budget and purpose.
About The Author
Olivia — a self-confessed air quality addict — is a home climate enthusiast, fresh air advocate, and someone with deep personal experience and knowledge about mold extermination. Her work was mentioned in countless notable humidity publications. Previously she was an editor at Mold Remediation.
