Whole-Home and Basement Dehumidifiers
Reviewed by Waseem Shahzad, Lead Technician
Long Island summers are humid, and basements here often stay damp all year. A whole-home dehumidifier pulls moisture out of the air more effectively than a portable unit and drains on its own. K2 installs and services ducted and basement dehumidifiers for homes within 15 miles of Deer Park.
Why are Long Island homes so humid in summer?
Warm, moist air off the ocean and the Sound keeps outdoor humidity high for much of the summer, and that moisture finds its way inside. Basements set in damp ground add more. An air conditioner removes some moisture while it runs, but when it cycles off, or if it is oversized, humidity creeps back up.
Signs of too much humidity: a clammy feel even when the air is cool, musty smells, condensation on cold pipes and ducts, mold on basement walls or stored items, and windows that fog. Finished basements and homes near the bays and canals tend to have it worst.
How does a whole-home dehumidifier work?
It draws in humid air, passes it over a cold coil where moisture condenses, and sends drier air back into the house, draining the water away through a hose or pump. Ducted models connect to the home's duct system; standalone basement models sit in the basement and serve that space.
- Ducted: ties into the HVAC return and supply so the whole house is dried, controlled separately from the air conditioner.
- Basement or crawlspace: a standalone unit with its own drain, sized for the space.
Unlike a portable dehumidifier, a whole-home unit drains continuously, so there is no bucket to empty, and it is sized to remove much more water per day.
Which homes benefit most from a dehumidifier?
Homes with damp or finished basements, homes near the water, and houses where the central air is oversized or runs in short cycles. A dehumidifier also helps in spring and fall, when it is humid but not warm enough for the air conditioner to run long enough to dry the air.
If the air conditioner itself short-cycles, fix that first; our short cycling checklist covers the usual causes. Sealing return-air leaks in a damp crawlspace or attic also cuts the moisture the system has to deal with; see ductwork repair.
How do you maintain a whole-home dehumidifier?
Clean or replace the intake filter as the manufacturer's manual directs, keep the drain line and any condensate pump clear, and make sure the coil stays clean. A blocked drain is the most common cause of leaks and shutdowns. The model's manual gives the filter type and interval.
A yearly check alongside your cooling tune-up keeps the drain, coil and controls working. If a dehumidifier is leaking in the basement or showing an error code, turn it off and call.
What does K2 do on a dehumidifier visit?
We check the drain, filter, coil, fan and control, read any error code and test that the unit is removing water. For a new install, we size the unit to the space, decide whether it should be ducted or standalone, and plan the drain and power before installation.
We have installed and serviced Aprilaire dehumidifiers among others; see brands we install and service, and our indoor air quality page for the full range of options.
Do you need a whole-home dehumidifier?
You likely do if the basement smells musty, a portable dehumidifier runs constantly and still fills up, or the house feels sticky even with the air conditioning on. Visible mold on stored boxes or walls, rusting tools and sweating pipes are strong signs that humidity is too high.
Before buying equipment, look for water coming in: gutters and downspouts dumping next to the foundation, grading that slopes toward the house, and dryer vents or bath fans venting into the basement or attic. Fixing the source makes any dehumidifier work less.
Dehumidifiers: common questions
What humidity should my house be in summer?
Many homes are comfortable between about 40 and 50 percent relative humidity in summer. Above about 60 percent, mold and dust mites become more likely.
Is a whole-home dehumidifier better than a portable one?
For a whole basement or house, usually. It removes more water, drains on its own and runs quietly away from living space. A portable unit can work for a single room.
My basement dehumidifier is leaking. What should I do?
Turn it off and unplug it, then check whether the drain hose has kinked or the condensate pump has stopped. If that is not it, call us.
Will a dehumidifier raise my electric bill?
It uses electricity while it runs, but a properly sized whole-home unit often lets you set the air conditioner a little higher and still feel comfortable, because dry air feels cooler. In a damp basement, it also protects stored belongings and finishes from moisture damage.
Where does the water from a whole-home dehumidifier go?
Into a floor drain, a sump or a condensate pump that carries it outside or to a drain. We plan the drain route during installation so there is no bucket to empty.
Want to talk it through?
Call or text us and we will look at your system and tell you what fits.
(631) 414-7141