I am trying to justify the cost of a Santa Fe basement dehumidifier at over $1000 vs a Whirlpool basement dehumidifier at $250… It will replace a tired unit in a basement with a dirt floor, rubble walls and crawl spaces leading off under various part of our 200 year old cape style house. The central “basement” houses a forced hot air furnace and just enough headroom for a 6’er.. there is a sump with pit pump… anyone have any experience?
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Well, look at the warranties and the quarts/hour rates (or however they're rated now). Consider putting plastic down on the dirt floor.
We run 2, 50 pint ones. Always have a spare. Usually can pick up for no more than $40. What's so special about the Santa Fe?
PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
Hi BUDBAKER1
Check the power consumption on a 30 or 50 pint unit. I have found that the amp or watt rating is quite high on the small units. Figure the total power consumption of two or three units against the large 110 pint unit in cost per pint of water removed and you can make a good figure for electrical cost. I think you will find the larger unit more efficient and operating cost per pint of water removed will be less with the large single unit. These things will put a good size jump in your electrical bill.
Make sure that the unit or units will start automatically if the power goes out.
Rest of your replys are right on in regards to covering any bare ground, or concrete if a vapor barrier was not placed before the pour. The vapor barrier really makes a difference.
Best of luck,
Virginbuild
Our recent dehumidifier purchase;
Sears 70-pint 'low temp' model, which will remove moisture from air down to 42-deg.
Couple of good features, such as a 3-hour or 6-hour intermittent timer, which repeats the on/off cycle in those increments with the humidistat functioning normally.
Condensate drain hose connection bypasses the tank, leaving it empty and dry.
1000% better then the drain connection on the tank.