Last Updated: February 26, 2024
High humidity is most often associated with basements and crawl spaces; however, excess moisture can rise and infiltrate your entire home, making you feel hot and sticky. High humidity levels can lead to mold and mildew growth, cause mold, structural damage, and an increase in allergy symptoms. Furthermore, consistent humidity levels over 70% can also lead to corrosion, decay, dust mites, termites, other insect infestations, and additional moisture-related deterioration.
While an air conditioner can partially alleviate high humidity as they dehumidify the air as part of the cooling process, the AC cannot keep up with the moisture removal demands if you face extreme humidity levels.
A whole-house dehumidifier is a low-maintenance way to keep your entire home dry, healthy, and comfortable. Dehumidifiers reduce humidity by pulling moisture from the air. The air is then filtered and cooled, and converted into condensation drained in a reservoir or safely drained through a hose.
Whether it’s portable or directly installed onto your HVAC system, a whole-house dehumidifier helps you maintain healthy humidity levels throughout your home.
If you have moisture issues in one location or multiple rooms/throughout the house, then a portable dehumidifier would not be sufficient. It will also be a hassle to move the dehumidifier around. In this case, a whole-house humidifier would be ideal as it can cover the entire area and maintain an optimal humidity level to keep a comfortable environment for you and your family.
Aprilaire – 1850Z Pro Dehumidifier, 95 Pint Commercial Dehumidifier for Crawl Spaces, Basements, Whole Homes up to 5,200 sq. ft.
Stop mold damage, relieve allergies, and create a cozy environment throughout your home with the Aprilaire 1850 Whole House Dehumidifier. The compact dehumidifier is a one-stop solution for controlling mold-causing humidity, preventing damp carpeting and furnishings, mold, mildew, and odors, minimizing airborne virus survival rates by maintaining optimum relative humidity levels.
Sturdy Construction
Made from corrosion-resistant aluminum coils, Aprilaire Dehumidifiers are designed and manufactured in the U.S.A., following quality manufacturing processes coupled with robust construction, making them durable and long-lasting. While the Aprilaire 1850 is bulky, it has a minimal footprint and a discreet appearance. The dehumidifier comes with an easy to use interactive display comprising an LCD screen and push buttons for enhanced usability.
The Power Numbers
The Aprilaire 1850 is rated to remove up to 12 Gallons or 95 pints of moisture per day at AHAM conditions (80 degrees F, 60% humidity) and can efficiently cover areas from 1,900 to 5,200 square feet. The whole house dehumidifier can remove 1.875-liters of moisture per kilowatt-hour (kWh). The device is highly energy-efficient and one of the few whole-house dehumidifiers with an energy-star rating. Compared to leading portable dehumidifiers, the Aprilaire 1850 operates up to 4 times more efficiently and removes 50% more moisture per kilowatt-hour.
Multiple Installation Options
The Aprilaire 1850 provides multiple installation options. You can install the appliance in the equipment room or closet, your basement, attic. You can also hang the dehumidifier using the included duct collars for ducting air return and supply. It also works as part of your central HVAC system to dehumidify all of your rooms evenly and efficiently, making it ideal for homes, townhouses, condos, basements, and crawl spaces.
Automatic Humidity Control
The Aprilaire 1850 automatically monitors the HVAC fan run time to ventilate the whole home efficiently and automatically control the outside’s humidity at ASHRAE 62.2 2007 standard. You can program your desired humidity level between 30 and 80. The entire house dehumidifier also comes with an optional outdoor temperature sensor that can be used if no fresh air is desired above 100°F or below 0°F. Note that using this feature will ignore the ASHRAE 62.2 2007 standard.
The Aprilaire 1850 comes with built-in digital control with a display; you can also reposition the control panel from the top of the unit to the front for more convenience. The dehumidifier also includes a MERV-8 Air filter. The easily accessible washable air filter removes allergens such as mold spores and dust particles while ensuring efficient operation. The appliance also provides auto defrost control – which comes in handy in cool conditions. An automatic defroster turns off the compressor and runs the blower until the coils are defrosted to protect the unit from damage.
Setup and Usability
There is no water reservoir – the dehumidifier comes with a 10′ clear drain line that is attached to the unit with a male adapter. The Aprilaire 1850 features a drain port to gravity drain the collected condensate (drain hose not included) or set the device over a basement installation floor drain, eliminating the often messy task of emptying a water container. Place a hose or place a dehumidifier over a drain, level it, plug it in, set the target humidity. The machine comes with four stabilizing rubber feet to ensure proper drainage of the dehumidifier.
The Aprilaire 1850 dehumidifier is low maintenance with easy filter cleaning or replacement. Just wash the filter and clean debris from the drain port and hose annually to ensure optimal operation and efficiency. The removable and washable filter ensures that you have a clean indoor atmosphere free from mold spores and dust particles, among other contaminants. The whole house dehumidifier is compatible with 110V AC to 120V AC single phase 60 Hz power sources. The Aprilaire 1850 95-pint dehumidifier features 14.5″ height, 12.5″ width, and 27.5″ depth and weighs 70 lbs. While this dehumidification unit is quite heavy, it lacks casters or handles, making the appliance challenging to move.
With its ability to operate at low temperatures, the Aprilaire 1850 is well suited to be placed in low-temperature areas such as crawlspace or basement. The machine creates airflow of up to 265 CFM, making it a suitable option for indoor gardens, grow rooms, crawl spaces, and basements. While this dehumidifier can be quite noisy when installed in the living room, users can barely hear it they place it in the basement. To give you peace of mind, the Aprilaire 1850 is backed by a 5-year warranty.
Pros
- Built-in controls with an easy to read display
- Auto-defrost function
- Low maintenance
- Extensive 5-year warranty
- Comes with duct collars
- Washable filter element
- Digital control with remote capability
Cons
- Installation requires sturdy studs to hold it
- Warranty is contingent on professional installation
Why Buy: The Aprilaire 1850 is easy to set up, easy to use, and it is a beast at pulling a large amount of moisture (95pints) from the air. Installing ductwork to get that greater separation from the air inlet to the air outlet will increase the dehumidifier’s efficiency. The unit is quiet, and the output air is barely warm, unlike regular dehumidifiers that blow tons of hot air. If you are looking for a perfect solution for humidity problems in your basement and crawlspace, this may be it.
See also:
- Best 70 Pint Dehumidifiers
- Best Commercial Dehumidifiers
- Best Dehumidifiers With Pumps for Basements