A flooded basement can be a real pain to deal with. Once the standing water is gone and the source has been identified and cut off, most homeowners opt to update their basement waterproofing. This prevents similar occurrences in the future but doesn’t always ensure that the dampness left behind is dealt with. This is the role of a dehumidifier.
These machines are a critical part of any waterproofing system, as they remove excess moisture from the air and prevent dampness from taking hold, even if you have a spill or leak. They are also heavy-duty machines that can use huge amounts of power. If you want to stay clean and dry without breaking the bank and wasting energy, it is important to choose an efficient dehumidifier when you update your basement waterproofing solutions.
Why You Should Install an Energy-Efficient Dehumidifier
Whether you have an outdated model or you don’t have one at all, it is a good idea to install an energy-efficient dehumidifier in your basement. There are a number of reasons to do so, but the most pressing are these.
Protect Your Home
It should not surprise you to hear that the most energy-efficient dehumidifiers are the newest models. Because they are made with the most up-to-date technology, they are also more powerful and effective. So, if you want to keep your home dry and clean in the future, it can pay to replace your old dehumidifier with the very best model that is available right now. After all, you probably won’t replace it again for at least 10 years.
Save Money
Energy-efficient dehumidifiers do the same amount of work as older models but require less power and time to do so. This means that switching to a newer, more efficient model could save you hundreds of dollars on your energy bills each year (or even each month, depending on the size and condition of your home). So, while a new dehumidifier might seem expensive outright, you will begin to get that money back in long-term savings.
Decrease Your Carbon Footprint
The environment is a hot topic right now. If you are concerned about climate change and want to do your part, switching to energy-efficient appliances can significantly decrease your carbon footprint. This has implications for your energy bills, as we have said, but will also give you peace of mind. Plus, some areas have incentives for decreasing your carbon footprint.
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Why Choose Our Energy-Efficient Dehumidifiers?
Foundation Recovery Systems offers a unique, low-maintenance, whole-home dehumidifying system. Our energy-efficient dehumidifiers have automatic humidity sensors, fresh air ventilation systems, and use the most up-to-date technology. This means you can count on our dehumidifiers to work only when you need them to. As a result, you will save money, save energy, and enjoy a consistently pleasant environment.
Save Energy, Save Money, Save Time
Updating your dehumidifier may seem like an unnecessary expense if your current one is still running, but like all appliances, they have a lifespan. Signs that your dehumidifier has reached the end of its lifespan include:
- Recurring breakdowns
- Increased noise
- Decreased efficiency
- A spike in energy bills
Eventually, you may find you are spending more time fixing, cajoling, and restarting your dehumidifier than you are simply letting it run. If you get to this point, replacing it with a newer model can save you time and money, lower your energy usage, and provide a much better result while doing so.
Get the Dehumidifier That is Right for You
Our experts will not only be able to identify sources of dampness in your basement and fix them, but they will also be able to suggest the right kind of dehumidifier for you. By finding the sweet spot between price, capability, and function, we will ensure you get a dehumidifier so effective that you barely notice it. All you need to do is book a free consultation and inspection appointment.
Can’t I Just Buy a Cheaper Dehumidifier?
Of course you can. However, if you are simply considering your options, we have a word of warning: Do not choose a dehumidifier simply because it is the cheapest model. In fact, this advice holds true for most large appliances in your home. While it is tempting to try to save money, a cheaper model may not be right for your home. If you choose a dehumidifier that is not big enough to cope with your home or you choose an older model that is less efficient, it could cost you more money in the long run, either because of high bills or recurring breakdowns.
So, while all dehumidifiers are designed to keep your basement or crawl space dry, you really need to choose a machine that is capable of dealing with all aspects of your home if you want to get the best possible result.
Energy Efficient Dehumidifier
FAQ's
If you are waterproofing your basement for the first time or are updating an older dehumidifier, you should definitely consider an energy-efficient model. The benefits of choosing an energy-efficient model are many, but the most pressing are:
- Lowered Energy Bills
Better energy efficiency means you will enjoy lower energy bills in comparison to the model you have right now. New models are not just more efficient because they are in better condition; there have been many innovations in the last 20 years that make it possible for dehumidifiers to be twice as powerful while still using less energy than comparable older models. This means you get a better result and still use less energy.
Furthermore, a more efficient dehumidifier will make sure your whole home has ideal humidity levels, which will contribute to lowered bills—dry air is kinder to your HVAC system. When your air conditioning and heating systems are not struggling to process humid air, they too will give you a better result while using less energy. All of this adds up to lower energy bills for you!
- Better Indoor Climate
Your old dehumidifier may still be working, but that doesn’t mean it’s working at full capacity. When you upgrade to an energy-efficient model you will notice a change in your indoor climate. As well as being energy efficient, new models are quieter and will not produce that low-level background hum that many people associate with a dehumidifier.
More than this, some newer models have been designed to improve the quality of the air as they process it. This means you will feel the difference in your home. No more musty odors and no more sticky summer nights—just a cool, clean home with a wonderfully calming environment. Better still, most of these new models have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years, making them a sound investment.
Choosing a dehumidifier is not as easy as it sounds. You must make sure you are getting the right model for your property. This means considering a range of factors including:
- The Size of Your Property or Room
You will need to think about the square footage of the property or room in question; up to around 2,500 square feet, you could use one powerful dehumidifier to condition your whole home. This is dependent on a number of factors, including the layout of the property; if you have a strange or segmented layout, you may notice humid spots in your property.
If you have a larger home or a property with an unusual floor plan, you may need more than one dehumidifier to get the best results. In these cases, it may be more cost- and energy-efficient to purchase a couple of less powerful dehumidifiers and focus on the power required to service specific areas of your home. If you are confused about this, it is best to contact a professional.
- The Local Climate
The local environment and climate have an effect on the dehumidifier you will need. Homes in naturally humid climates will need more power per square foot than those in arid climates when it comes to dehumidification. This is why there are different kinds of dehumidifiers—refrigerant and desiccant dehumidifiers are designed to perform the same function in different climates.
Unsurprisingly, refrigerant dehumidifiers are best for warm, humid air. These dehumidifiers essentially use the process of condensation to harvest water from the air and keep it out of circulation. Desiccant dehumidifiers, by contrast, work far better in lower temperatures and often use dry, absorbent materials like silica gel to take moisture out of the air, even at very low temperatures.
Getting a certified technician to assess your space and make an informed choice is the simplest way to get an energy-efficient dehumidifier that works for you. We at Foundation Recovery Systems are passionate about offering homeowners the best possible service. This is why we take great care to ensure that all of our team members are capable of assessing your home and that they have expansive knowledge of the dehumidifiers that we stock.
If you choose and install a dehumidifier alone, you run the risk of choosing the wrong model or installing it poorly. This could have many repercussions, but the most pressing are:
- A Poorly Controlled Climate
If your dehumidifier struggles to deal with the size of your home or is unsuitable for the climate, you could find that the humidity inside your home fluctuates. This is not only uncomfortable but can lead to mold formation and attract pests into localized areas of your property. This can cause problems both in an immediate sense and in the long run.
If you consult a professional, however, they will be able to anticipate issues and choose a dehumidifier, or series of dehumidifiers, which mitigate these issues and provide you with a high-quality, consistent result. This will save you time, money, and frustration in the long run by getting it right the first time. Furthermore, most professionals have a series of products they trust (these are often not available in hardware stores).
- Repeated Breakdowns
A dehumidifier that is working too hard, or working sporadically, could experience wear and tear at an accelerated rate, increasing the likelihood of breakdowns. Repeated breakdowns are not just inconvenient and costly in terms of repeated repair appointments—they also have an impact on the lifespan of your dehumidifier as a whole.
A well-chosen, well-cared-for dehumidifier should have a working lifespan of around 10 to 15 years (depending on the model and the climate in your area). If it is constantly working too hard, fluctuating, or breaking down as a result of improper use, however, this lifespan could drop dramatically. In fact, if you are very unlucky, it could be halved!
How to Choose an Energy-Efficient Dehumidifier
Choosing the right dehumidifier is not always easy. However, there are some key things to consider that you should know about. If you keep these things in mind while shopping, you are far more likely to get an effective and energy-efficient dehumidifier for your home.
Find Out How Humid Your Home Is
The ideal humidity level for any home is 35% to 45%. If you drop below this, it can become uncomfortable, and if you go above, you run the risk of mold forming. Investing in a hygrometer is the quickest way to get an estimated humidity level in your home. If your home is outside the ideal ratio, your current dehumidifier may be over or underperforming.
Measure the Dimensions of Your Home or Room
Knowing the square footage of your basement or home will help you decide what size of dehumidifier you need. Generally speaking, if the space in question is over 2,500 square feet, you should get a whole-home dehumidifier.
Overestimate a Little
For the best results, get a dehumidifier that is a little more powerful than you need it to be. This will ensure that you have some leeway should something increase the levels of moisture in your home, and it won’t have to work quite as hard on a daily basis.
Contact the Professionals at Foundation Recovery Systems
Of course, if you want to find an energy-efficient dehumidifier that improves the air quality in your home, helps prevent mold growth, and saves you money on your energy bills, it is far easier to contact an expert. When you allow professionals like the team here at Foundation Recovery Systems to assess your needs, they will be able to help you find the perfect energy-efficient dehumidifier for you. If you choose Foundation Recovery Systems, we will provide you with quick and efficient service as well as constant communication throughout the process.
Let us make the process of waterproofing your basement hassle-free. We will assess your home, suggest the best possible waterproofing plan, and make sure installation is quick and smooth. No mess, no stress, and absolutely room for error. Our services are available throughout Kansas City, St. Louis, Des Moines, Springfield and Moberly.
