Think about life in an RV. It’s a small enclosed space where you cook, shower, eat, and sleep. All these activities, especially the cooking and showering, causes an increase in water vapor.
This vapor condenses back into water after it cools. Condensation can be prevented by opening a window, but what if it’s freezing outside and cracking a window isn’t possible? A dehumidifier becomes essential. They not only prevent mold, but also work to keep your RV comfortable, by reducing the humidity in the air.
A water damaged RV
So a dehumidifier is essential, but what kind should I buy?
There are two types of dehumidifiers available, the rechargeable dehumidifier which uses a desiccant, and the refrigerant model. The rechargeable model is best used in closed spaces, such as closets. If you have a localized mold problem, this is the best dehumidifier to use, but you would need more than one of them, if you need a solution for your entire vehicle.
Refrigerant models are a better bet if you need to keep your whole camper mold-free. Any refrigerant unit will do the job, as long as it has sufficient capacity.
Desiccant or Refrigerant?
Slightly cheaper
Lower power consumption
Heavier than desiccant models
More mechanical parts
Do not work very well at temperatures lower than 40 degrees Fahrenheit
Higher noise levels
Lower noise levels
Lighter than compressors
Can work at temperatures as low as 33 degree Fahrenheit
Warm air is blown out of the unit
More expensive
Higher power consumption.
Desiccant models are slightly more expensive than compressors, but you should keep an eye on the power consumption.
Extraction rate
This is a feature that is usually quoted by manufactures; however, comparing the different extraction rates on different dehumidifiers is hard, as different manufactures use different rates depending on the temperature and relative humidity. Also,the two types of dehumidifiers operate best at different temperatures, which makes it hard to compare different brands.
Generally, compressor dehumidifiers have a higher extraction rate.
Power consumption – what does it cost to run a dehumidifier?
Desiccant models use more power than compressor units. The running costs of a compressor can be compared to that of a refrigerator, while a desiccant dehumidifier uses about the same energy as a washing machine.
Dehumidifier noise levels
Desiccant dehumidifiers are generally quieter than refrigerant units, but the noise levels are unobtrusive.
Features
The best dehumidifiers will have the following features:
Portability
How do you plan to use your dehumidifier, and how often? Will it have a permanent home, or do you intend to place it in the basement, and then move it to the RV and back? Some units weigh as much as 26 lbs, so always keep weight in mind. Wheels and a carry handle will come in handy, if you plan to move the unit around.
Dehumidifiers specifically designed for RVs have a non-slip base, and are wider than they are high, so as to have a low center of gravity. Portable designs are less expensive.
Most people do not live in their RVs throughout the year, so you should take whatever precautions you can to ensure that rain doesn’t enter your vehicle, while still allowing for ventilation.
Park your RV within reach of a main line, if you have a refrigerant dehumidifier and need to use it while in storage, or you can also use strategically-placed desiccant models.
Dehumidifier manufacturers and reviews
Alen
Each model in the Alen range is energy efficient. Alen dehumidifiers consistently get a good rating from their users. They carry an inventory of 70, 50 and 30-pint capacity suitable for home use.
You can expect to pay around $250 for the 70-pint model, though they do not have any additional features or characteristics other than quality and reliability.
• 70 pint MDF3-70
This dehumidifier can comfortably extract 70 pints of water a day, and is most popularly used in basements. It has a continuous drainage feature, complimented by an auto-restart function.
• 50 pint MDF3-50
This model is a smaller version of the 70-pint and is also popular in basements. Humidistat is critical, especially for allergy sufferers. This unit works well as an RV dehumidifier.
• 30-pint MDF-30
If your unit has to be moved frequently, or you have limited floor space, the MDF-30 is the perfect model for you. It is more suited to a small room, and will automatically switch off, if the bucket gets full, to prevent overflowing.
It has continuous drainage, and even though it’s the smallest in the range, it is the ideal RV dehumidifier.
Comfort Aire Dehumidifier
This range of dehumidifiers has 3 models. Most reviews of this brand relate to the relatively short life span. On a positive note, they are quiet, and so for those who treasure this as a feature, this is the brand you should go for.
• BHD651G
This model is a very quiet for its 65-pint capacity. It is popular in basements and works well in areas up to 1100-sq. feet.
• BHD501G
This dehumidifier works in areas as large as 900-sq. feet. It has a capacity of 50-pints. If you need a quiet RV dehumidifier, this will do just fine.
• BHD301G
This is a quiet, low capacity unit that is suitable for bedrooms, and other smaller areas of your home. It is powerful enough to work as an RV dehumidifier . It has all the features of the 65-pint model.
Danby Dehumidifier
Danby is a solid all-round brand that performs well, across the board. Its range is varied, allowing customers to choose a dehumidifier that is exactly right for them. The prices also vary significantly so look around for a deal.
Reviews are consistently favorable, so you cannot go wrong with a Danby.
This high-capacity portable unit is mostly used in wet basements. It is especially great for inaccessible areas, and it has a continuous drainage feature and remote control.
Other than the fact that it uses a little less power and has a lower capacity, the 60-pint is no different from the 70-pint. It is energy-efficient, and has an auto-restart that kicks in, in the event of a power failure.
The 50-pint is identical to its bigger brothers, but requires that you place the unit a foot or two above the drainage for effectiveness.
Delonghi Dehumidifiers
Delonghi dehumidifiers are well made by current standards, and manufactured in Italy, but have short working lives. The standards and ratings system in Europe differs from that in the States, so whatever pints per day rating they have, should be halved. For example, a Delonghi 50-pint is a Danby 25-pint, if you want to make a comparison.
Delonghi are more expensive than other brands, simply because it is manufactured in Italy, as opposed to China, where most other brands are made. If you are looking for an RV dehumidifier that is light weight, small, and quiet, Delonghi will probably have the perfect one for you.
Delonghi are made for the European climate.
This is a desiccant dehumidifier, which means it will still keep working at very low temperatures. They do not fail where refrigerant units do. They are also much quieter than the refrigerant dehumidifiers. They cost more to run, and pull less water from the air than the refrigerant dehumidifiers though.
The P at the end of this model’s name means that it has an internal pump. This model is great for areas not exceeding 400sq. feet. It works great in even the largest of RVs.
Everything you read above applies here, the main difference being the slightly lower price of the DD45P. This model is not very silent, but then again, it’s quieter than some, which is why it is the preferred dehumidifier model.
This is the DD45P minus the pump. This model has an auto-restart function, and all the advantages of the two models above. It is cheaper than them both, and is probably the best buy of the range.
This model is small, lightweight and has everything you need to control humidity in an RV, a room, or even a small apartment. It has continuous drainage, and an adjustable humidistat, as well as auto-defrost.
This 12-liter-a-day model is great for small areas. It weighs 20 lbs., but has more than enough power to dehumidify your RV, room or even small home. It has a humidistat and continuous drainage, as well as auto defrost.
This dehumidifier is compact and easy to move. It is a medium-capacity dehumidifier that works fine in most family homes. This model could be considered a larger version of the DES12. It makes some noise, but is overall a good choice as far as dehumidifiers go.
The slim design of this model allows you to place it flush against a wall, helping you to save space. It has all the advantages of the DES 14, but with more power, and a noise decibel level of 42dB. It is quieter than its competitors.
This portable unit keeps the whole house free from humidity. It is great for drying laundry, and can be used in three modes: heater, dehumidifier, or heater and dehumidifier, which is combo mode.
The energy consumption, due to the combo, was probably not factored in to the design, but a novel idea all the same.
Eco Air Dehumidifier
Eco Air Brand carries a range of products including air purifiers, heat pumps, and air conditioners.
Their range of dehumidifiers includes:
This high-capacity unit can extract up to 20-liters per day, or a room as large as 30-sq. meters. It has manual controls.
Frigidaire dehumidifiers
Frigidaire is a very popular model in the US market. It is not particularly outstanding, but rather a good performer, and works great to eliminate musty smells caused by dampness. All models are Energy Star® qualified.
Frigidaire was founded as the Guardian refrigerator company, and developed the first self-contained refrigerator. The name was adopted in 1919, after General Motors acquired the company. General Motors owned it for the next 60 years, after which it was bought by Electrolux, its current owner. Among its other achievements, the company introduced the 1st room air conditioner. Frigidaire has a 70-pint, 50-pint and 30-pint models.
GE Dehumidifier
If you are looking for a portable dehumidifier, GE is the brand for you. All units are reliable and effective. They are also very attractive, and priced competitively, and are great for all areas including bathrooms, RVs, laundry areas, and basements. GE, or The General Electric Company, was rated the world’s second largest company in 2010 by Forbes. It was formed in 1892 with Thomas Edison as one of the partners. Since then GE has grown to become a world leader in the field of electric brands. GE Appliances, a subsidiary of GE, is the leading supplier of refrigerators, washers, air conditioners and dehumidifiers.
Haier Dehumidifier
Haier group began in China in the 1920’s, and was founded as a refrigerator manufacturer. It is the fourth-largest manufacturer of goods in the world, thanks to a partnership with the German Liebherr Group.
LG
Large numbers of LG dehumidifiers are sold yearly. The brand is well known the world over, and the products are pleasing to the eye. Most customers express satisfaction with the brand that also manufactures cell phones, refrigerators, air conditioners and a host of other household appliances. The bad reviews are mostly centered on the life span of the units, as well as a high proportion of comments that relate to the humidistat and heating effect, on the air that has run through the unit.
LG was established in The Republic of Korea, and was formed in 1947. LG Electronics, the company subsidiary, manufacturers the LG Dehumidifier and other electronic goods.
Meaco Dehumidifier
Meaco uses desiccant technology in their dehumidifiers, making them less than ideal for use in your home. Their dehumidifiers mostly have commercial applications, though some can be used in garages and boats, as well as RVs, and other places where temperatures get very low. The company was founded in 1991. Their dehumidifier range is restricted, but their high standards are to be expected in each unit
Mitsubishi Dehumidifier
Mitsubishi is a popular model in the UK. As with most brands made in the East, the most common complaint is the relatively short life span of the unit. Mitsubishi dehumidifiers have a “hot gas defrost” feature, which is their version of the auto-defrost feature on other brands. This feature allows the refrigerant units to work well in much lower temperatures. The brand costs a little more than others, but the quality is undeniable. Mitsubishi is effective, quiet and reliable. The name Mitsubishi can be translated as “three diamonds,” which accounts for the logo of the brand. It began as a shipping company formed in 1870 by Yataro Iwasaki, but adopted the name Mitsubishi in 1873. The company has since diversified, and has numerous interests, which includes aircraft production, and is famous for producing the A6M Zero carrier based fighter. Mitsubishi is several different companies running independently under one business philosophy and brand. They offer two dehumidifier units:
Premiair Dehumidifer
Premiair is a well-regarded brand, with a range of products for heating, cooling and improving air quality.
Sears Dehumidifier
Distributed by Sears Holding Company, The Kenmore brand requires no introduction. Sears Holdings was created as a merger between Kmart and Sears, Roebuck and Co. It is a leading seller of home appliances, though you can also purchase other brands in any of its 4,500 retail stores, as well as online. Their dehumidifiers are not manufactured by them, but they contract the work out to manufacturers, such as LG, Winix and Frigidaire.
The Kenmore Elite is a top-seller in the Kenmore brand. It is similar to the 70-pint model with one addition, an internal pump. This makes it easier for individuals without an easily accessible floor drain to use the continuous drainage option.
The reviews for this model are also similar to those of the 70-pint, with one addition, complaints of the failure of the pump. A portable dehumidifier with an internal pump is not a bright idea generally, as repairs cost more than a new unit.
Soleus Dehumidifier
Soleus was founded in 1998, and trades under the name of Soleus Air. It has been spectacularly successful, and has been named among the 500-fastest growing companies in America.
This unit can extract 30-pints of water daily, but is not quiet by any standards. It produces 59dB of noise at its highest setting, and is therefore not suitable for bedrooms. The overall good quality makes up for the noise though.
Sunpentown Dehumidifier
Better known as SPT, this is a small company that manufactures and distributes several home appliances. It was founded in California in 1993.
Winix Dehumidifier,
Winix are much less known than other non-US-based brands. They are priced slightly higher than others, such as Haier and LG, for example, but the reviews from consumers are much better than the lower-priced competitors. Winix has an overall better build-quality, and longer life span, as well as features that are not typical in most brands. For example, the auto-restart function, while not rare, is not universal in all dehumidifiers, and neither is a condensate pump, as most models rely on gravity for drainage. Winix dehumidifiers are manufactured by Winix Inc. in the Republic of Korea. They also manufacture products for the Kenmore brand (Sears), among others.
A dehumidifier in your RV can save you thousands of dollars in damage, from mold and excess moisture. If you live in an area with high humidity levels, it would be a very smart choice to get yourself a dehumidifier.
