The 5 Best Whole House Dehumidifiers – Buying Guide 2024

Last Updated: August 31, 2024

Humidity, if out of hand, can be a cause of stress for any homeowner. Too little humidity isn’t ideal and can have many adverse effects. Similarly, too much of humidity is also a cause for concern.

Some of the major problems, a direct result of too much humidity, are:

• Mold/mildew growth on wood, leather paper etc., and on vegetation, due to excessive moisture in the air. Watch out for your food as well. Mold mildew can also cause some heath concerns, such as allergies and Asthma.
• Too much humidity can cause increased sweating and discomfort. It’s not very good for your hair and skin either.
• It is a problem for the furniture and electronics in your house as well.
• If you don’t like insects such as cockroaches, dust mites etc. in your space, too much humidity is a problem. These insects like humid environments, and weather you send out an invitation or not, there is a chance that they’ll assume a place in your space.

That is why, maintaining a good level of humidity in your house is very important. Proper humidity level is essential for maintaining a good house environment,  and that is where a dehumidifier comes in.

What is a dehumidifier?

Dehumidifier is the answer to the excessive humidity problem. It is an electrical appliance that reduces the amount of humidity in the air, and maintains a proper temperature. Excessive moisture is a problem, and can be hard to manage, even with an air conditioning system. A dehumidifier complements the AC system so you can get an optimum environment. dehumidifiers are good for your furniture, health, skin, and hair as well.

A dehumidifier makes the house environment fit for you, and eliminates high humidity and its adverse effects on you and your home.

Dehumidifiers can generally be classified into two categories 

• Condensate dehumidifier –

In Condensate dehumidifiers, a refrigerator is used to collect the water, which is called the condensate. Depending on the dehumidifier, the condensate can be turned into potable water as well, using reverse osmosis filters. In some, the water can be disposed as vapors.

• Desiccant dehumidifier –

Desiccant dehumidifiers or Absorption dehumidifiers, use hydrophilic materials such as silica gel to bond the moisture. Instead of condensation, these dehumidifiers make use of chemical attraction. Due to the large vapor pressure differentials created by these devices, they are used for drying dense materials.

A good dehumidifier can fix many of your problems, but make sure that there’s not a secondary problem, like a water leak in the house first. A dehumidifier will work its magic regardless, but solving that problem will save you some money. Usually, if you want to dehumidify a certain area, smaller, portable dehumidifier works magic. So,

Why buy a Whole House Dehumidifier after all?

That’s a simple question, and has a very simple answer –

Small dehumidifiers can only cover so much area. A whole house dehumidifier, as the name suggests, remedies the humidity problem for large areas, such as big rooms or the entire house.

Mostly, the working of a whole house dehumidifier is same as that of a portable one, except for a few obvious differences. Small dehumidifiers have collection tanks  which need to be emptied when they get full whereas, most whole house dehumidifiers have option for drainage, and you can forget the worries of emptying the water. They can cover the whole house , and you don’t need to keep moving them room to room, unlike portable dehumidifiers. Basically, they make sure that the whole house is covered.

Since excessive humidity is a fairly common problem, there are plenty of quality solutions out there in the market for you. You can choose between different dehumidifiers to see what works best for your home. Since it’s going to be a long-term investment, you should look at your options carefully before committing.

Comparison of the Best Whole House Dehumidifiers

Product	Weight	Dehumidification Capacity	Price
Frigidaire FFAD7033R1	47 pounds	70 pints/day	Check price
Keystone KSTAD70B	49 pounds	70 pints/day	Check price
Friedrich D70BPA	24.5 pounds	70 pints/day	Check price
Aprilaire 1870 XL	113 pounds	130 pints/day	Check price
Aprilaire 1850	70 pounds	95 pints/day	Check price

How to Choose the right whole house dehumidifier for your needs

If you’re looking for a dehumidifier that can solve the problem of excessive humidity for your whole house, here’s a few factors you need to keep in mind

Budget –

Since it’s a whole house dehumidifier, it’s going to be pricier than a smaller one, but well worth the money. You have a wide price range as well. You want something that’s within your budget,  without cost cutting on quality. Even if you have to invest a little bit more on a good model. Know how to determine a dehumidifier’s cost.

Capacity –

This is an important aspect you should look into before buying. Depending on how much area your house covers, you can decide which dehumidifier is the most beneficial buy. You don’t want a dehumidifier that falls short for the entirety of your house, and neither do you want to go overboard. Check the capacity of the dehumidifier before buying.

Efficiency –

Since dehumidifiers consume energy to function, you want to go for something that’s efficient, without compromising on the quality of output. it is long term commitment and you don’t want to get stuck with a model that consumes a ton of energy. Make an efficient choice.

Noise –

Dehumidifiers can be a little noisy, depending on which one you’re talking about. There are some good dehumidifiers available in the market with quiet operation. These quietly work in the background, making the house environment safer and comfortable for you, while you go on about your day.

These are some of the point you can discuss before bringing a new dehumidifier into your home. Whatever your requirements, there are plenty of dehumidifiers that fit right in.

In this article, we’ll be looking at some of the best dehumidifiers available in the market right  now. You can choose between these to find a good dehumidifier for yourself.

How we selected our top picks

A whole-house dehumidifier is a significant investment. As with any major purchase, it is ideal to fully understand the ins and outs or ups and downs of what you’re getting yourself into. While the number of whole house dehumidifiers in stores or online may seem overwhelming, selecting the best unit for your home doesn’t have to be a headache. We’ve put together a buying guide to ensure you get all the details about the different dehumidifiers to help you make informed decisions. 

 We have considered some of the best whole house dehumidifiers on our list based on: moisture extraction capacity (Pint/day or PPD) to tell how much moisture the machine can remove. We have also considered the device’s energy efficiency since you’re going to have it running pretty much all the time, and you don’t want to spend a fortune on installing a dehumidifier and discover it has doubled your electric bills. Other factors that we have checked upon are noise (to save headaches later on), Coverage Area, Airflow capacity, durability, Initial, and maintenance cost, installation options, and warranty.

We have also considered extra features such as an easy-to-read LED or LCD control panel and smart technology to monitor the device from far away and make any adjustments.

Our Picks – Best Whole House Dehumidifiers in 2024

1. Frigidaire FFAD7033R1 Dehumidifier –

This is another great option from Frigidaire that you can look into while considering. Let’s look at the unit more closely –

Specifications –

• The unit weighs 47 pounds.
• It can do 70 pints of dehumidification per day.
• It has ready-select electronic controls, and 3 fan speeds.
• The container capacity of the unit is 13.1 pints.

Features –

• It makes the air in your home safer to breath by eliminating excess humidity and bacteria.
• The unit has a washable filter that helps in keeping the house odor free.
• There is a alert system to notify you when the tank is almost full, and there’s also a auto shut- off option for added comfort. The unit works on low temperature and is an efficient option.
• The continuous drain option drains the unit continuously, and you don’t have to empty the tank with buckets.
• Effortless humidity controls let you control the exact percentage of humidity in the room.  
• In case you don’t have a drainage system at your disposal, you can use the front-loading bucket with carrying handle and splash guard.
• For better portability there are top and side handles, along with caster wheels.

Our take on this product-

The unit is has good features. It has effortless humidity controls and continuous drain option. Very easy to move around. A front loading bucket in case of drainage system issue. The unit can drain up to 70 pints every day.

• It is very easy to use. Very easy to select options. Low maintenance, Washable, antibacterial filters for odorless and fresh air.
• The unit is designed for efficiency. Alert system for notifications and auto shut off option. Efficient functioning at low temperatures. It is an UL listed and energy star certified unit.Frigidaire 70-Pint Dehumidifier is unavailable at the moment.

2. Keystone KSTAD70B Dehumidifier

Keystone KSTAD70B dehumidifier is also a good model, and quite popular with homeowners.

Specifications –

• The unit weighs 49 pounds.
• The unit can dehumidify 70 pints each day.
• It is ideal for areas up to 4500 square feet.

Features –

• • The unit is designed to remove seventy pints of moisture from the air per day and it covers rooms up to 4500 sq. feet.
  • It has electronic controls with LED display, and a 24 hour timer.
  • There is also a transparent water level indicator and full bucket alert with automatic shut off.
  • The dust filter is removable, and easy to clean, with clean filter alert.
  • The setting mode includes normal, turbo, and auto defrost. The continuous draining option with a garden hose is available.For easy movement, it has four durable rolling casters.

Our take on this product-

Very easy to maintain. It is good for areas up  to 4500 sq. feet with the capacity of 70 pints each day. Has an easy to remove dust filter, that is very easy to maintain. There is also a clean filter alert to keep you on track.

• Excellent features. There settings include normal, turbo, and auto defrost. It has water level indicator as well as full bucket alert and auto shut off. The LED display and electronic control are there for ease of use. It is also quite easy to move around.
• The auto restart function saves your settings during a power outage. There is also a 24 hour timer. The continuous draining is possible with low level drain and standard garden hose.

3. Friedrich Dehumidifier, D70BPΩ

Friedrich D70BPA is a high performance dehumidifier, with advanced design. The unit is efficient, and provides a good coverage.

Specifications –

• The unit weighs 24.5 pounds.
• It is perfect for mid size to large areas.
• There are 2 speed fan settings.
• It can dehumidify 70 pints per day.

Features –

• The unit has sleek modern design and can dehumidify up to 70 pints per day. It comes with a removable condensate bucket.
• There is an auto start and auto defrost function, and two fan settings. Fan cycles off with the compressor.
• The slide out filter is very easy to clean.
• Casters are there for ease of movement.
• There are three drainage options.

Our take on this product-

The unit has a very sophisticated design. The top mount digital controls display room temperature and  relative humidity level.

• It is quite easy to use. There are three drainage options. There is a built in drain pump, along with a removable condensate bucket and a continuous drainage outlet. with caster wheels, it is very easy to move.
• The unit is Energy star  qualified. It is very efficient and has low temperature operation to 41 degree F”. The fan cycles off with the compressor.

4. Aprilaire 1870 XL Whole Home Pro Dehumidifier

This one is a durable unit and it can be ducted to your HVAC system for more convenience. It is easy to set up and is very low maintenance.

Specifications –

• The dehumidifier weights 113 pounds.
• The dehumidification capacity of the unit is 130 pints.
• It is ideal for dehumidifying large areas (3900 sq feet).

features –

• Built with corrosion resistant aluminum coils, it is a durable unit.
• The unit can remove up to 16 Gallons (130 pints)per day.
• Automatic dehumidification when humidity levels goes above the set target.
• Simple drainage set up.

Our take on this product-

Good for larger areas.

• Durable design promises long life of the unit.
• Up to 16 Gallons (130 pints) of dehumidification capacity for each day. Automatic dehumidification.
• Easy drainage set up.

5. Aprilaire 1850 Whole Home Pro Dehumidifier, 95 Pint Dehumidifier for Homes up to 3000 sq. ft.

This is another good whole house dehumidifier from Aprilaire. It has a few similarities to Aprilaire 1870 XL and is also a good option for large space. Let’s look at the specifics –

Specifications –

• The Weight of this unit is 70 pounds.
• The dehumidification capacity of Aprilaire 1850 is 95 pints per day.
• It can dehumidify areas up to 5000 sq. feet.

Features –

• It is made from corrosion free aluminum coils and is a durable unit.
• It can remove up to 95 pints of moisture every day.
• The drainage system is very easy to setup.
• Automatic dehumidification starts when humidity levels rise above a certain level.
• The unit covers larger areas (5000 sq. feet).

Our take on this product-

It is a durable unit that can cover larger areas. Built for maximum coverage.

• The dehumidification capacity of unit is 95 pints. It has built in digital controls, and washable filters that are easy to clean. The drainage system is also quite east to set up.
• It is very low maintenance.  

These are few of the top dehumidification units that are available in the market right now. Based on your needs, you can pick the right dehumidifier one for your home. If you think that any of these match your criteria, we’re happy to be of help. Make your home a dust, mold, and bacteria free, optimal humidity space and, be safe!

FAQs

How to maintain a whole-house dehumidifier?

Whole house humidifiers are a sizable investment, and it is essential to take regular maintenance to ensure they are working optimally for a long time. One of the most important things is to change the filter pad once a year. You should also periodically check for leaks, as the unit is often housed in a basement or less-often used part of the house, as you can forget it.

How Much Does it Cost to Install a Whole House Dehumidifier?

Installing a whole-house dehumidifier can cost in the range of $500-$3,000. Some of the things that can influence the installation price are the size of the house, whether it needs to alter ductwork, model type, labor rate, service time, and the type of installation. 

Should a whole-house dehumidifier run all the time?

A whole-house dehumidifier runs automatically with no attention needed from you. However, turning off your dehumidifier for the winter helps you save money by preventing the equipment from running when it’s not required.

How long does it take for a whole-house dehumidifier to work?

If the whole-house dehumidifier is connected to the ductwork, it will work more efficiently and quickly remove the humidity. But we’re talking just a few hours here for a whole-house dehumidifier, maybe up to 12-24 hours for higher starting humidity levels.

Do you need a whole-house dehumidifier?

You may need a whole-house dehumidifier if high humidity is a problem throughout your home and you stay in a highly humid environment around the year. Whole-house dehumidifiers can operate as part of your HVAC system. You may want to consider installing a whole-house dehumidifier to protect your home from excess moisture, reduce energy bills, improve comfort and provide healthier air to you and your family.

Are whole house dehumidifiers noisy?

Every dehumidifier will make some noise (dB); the amount of noise generated depends on factors such as unit size, moisture removal capacity, and whether or not it has a compressor. For example, a dehumidifier capable of extracting 60 pints per day will be noisier than one that only removes 20 pints. We recommend you test the noise level before purchasing the product.

Can one dehumidifier work for a whole house?

A single dehumidifier can cover an entire house. The catch here is investing in a large-capacity dehumidifier and installing it in the HVAC system. The ducts and outlets connected to all areas of the house will ensure that dehumidification is also carried out using a single device.