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#1
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Stupid question on dehumidifiers
Hi All,
I've got what seems a really stupid question. I've just purchased a De Longhi DCN60 dehumidifier for my basement, but there's nothing in the user guide on best practices in terms of usage. Do i leave the dehumidifier permanently on? Do i leave it on for a few days a week? Do i leave it on for a couple of hours a week? Thanks, Steve. |
#2
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Stupid question on dehumidifiers
There are no stupid questions. Set the unit to achieve the desired humidy
level you want and leave it. It will run and turn off by itself "kirkski" wrote in message oups.com... Hi All, I've got what seems a really stupid question. I've just purchased a De Longhi DCN60 dehumidifier for my basement, but there's nothing in the user guide on best practices in terms of usage. Do i leave the dehumidifier permanently on? Do i leave it on for a few days a week? Do i leave it on for a couple of hours a week? Thanks, Steve. |
#3
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Stupid question on dehumidifiers
Yeah, it's supposed to be on a lot - enough to dry out the basement
anyway. You have to empty the water, or you can run it into a floor drain if you have a floor drain. |
#4
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Stupid question on dehumidifiers
"kirkski" wrote in message oups.com... Hi All, I've got what seems a really stupid question. I've just purchased a De Longhi DCN60 dehumidifier for my basement, but there's nothing in the user guide on best practices in terms of usage. Do i leave the dehumidifier permanently on? Do i leave it on for a few days a week? Do i leave it on for a couple of hours a week? Thanks, Steve. Remember, a dehumidifier has a compressor in it similar to an air conditioner. If running constantly not only will you run up a tremendous electric bill but the coils will freeze up. Set the thermostat to a mid position and go from there. If you need more dehumifying turn it up a little at a time till you're satisfied. When I had a basement I started it at a lower point and raised it slightly till I had the humidity level where I wanted it. |
#5
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Stupid question on dehumidifiers
"Manufacturer's Description
Weighing only 5.5kg, and only 17cm wide, the DNC60 is the lightest dehumidifier in the market and amongst the most compact. Unlike most dehumidifiers the DNC60 does not use a compressor, making it very quiet in operation and also environmentally friendly, as no refrigerant gases are required. The built-in ionizer fills the air with healthy negative icons. Furthermore, the anti-bacterial filter cleans the air of dust and bacteria. Other features include: # Pull-up carry handle # Electronic auto shut off timer (up to 8 hrs) # 2 litre capacity tank # Swing function: oscillating louvers to optimize the air distribution # 3 power settings # Electronic anti-freeze setting Box Contents # 1x Full Product instructions." this unit may be discontinued or out of stock at amazon uk. this unit appears to be a compact ionizer as opposed to a conventional dehumidifier. why is the basement damp? some of these larger units you turn on and set for time or humidity level and visit and dump the moisture collector into a basement sink or drain. you could get a transmitter that sends temperature and humidity information to your receiver display in the home. often these may be built into atomic wall clocks or weather indicators. you then could plug the dehumidifier into a remote control so you can turn it on/off from the home. a regular dehumidifier will warm and dehumidify the basement. a regular dehumidifier is a very close cousin to a window air conditioner except the waste heat stays indoors along with the moisture usually in a bucket which you preferably connect to a drain. your desire for less humidity in the basement might be based on excessive humidity due to basement shower, laundry appliances, rainwater dampness, clothesline clothes drying, or foundation leaking. depending on your climate and season, airing out the basement with window fan in and window fan out on a dry low humidity outdoor day might be a first step to get a head start before plugging in your device. [looks like your compact unit only pulls 2 liters of water out of the air could it be more suitable as a bathroom ionizer?] see: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Delonghi-DNC...UTF8&s=kitchen kirkski wrote: Hi All, I've got what seems a really stupid question. I've just purchased a De Longhi DCN60 dehumidifier for my basement, but there's nothing in the user guide on best practices in terms of usage. Do i leave the dehumidifier permanently on? Do i leave it on for a few days a week? Do i leave it on for a couple of hours a week? Thanks, Steve. |
#6
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Stupid question on dehumidifiers
On 5 Nov 2006 07:33:22 -0800, "kirkski"
wrote: Hi All, I've got what seems a really stupid question. I've just purchased a De Longhi DCN60 dehumidifier for my basement, but there's nothing in the user guide on best practices in terms of usage. Do i leave the dehumidifier permanently on? Do i leave it on for a few days a week? Do i leave it on for a couple of hours a week? Thanks, Steve. imho: No very good question. This is what I was told. 50% relative no real mold problems due to humity. 50%-60% possible mold issues based on temp. 60% + Mold is a strong possiblity. So mine is set for 50%. During the winter, I think you can adjust that up due to temps, but then you need to find out for yourself. I'm not a mold expert, just a parinoid home owner. later, tom @ www.NoCostAds.com |
#7
Posted to alt.home.repair
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Stupid question on dehumidifiers
kirkski wrote:
Hi All, I've got what seems a really stupid question. I've just purchased a De Longhi DCN60 dehumidifier for my basement, but there's nothing in the user guide on best practices in terms of usage. Do i leave the dehumidifier permanently on? Do i leave it on for a few days a week? Do i leave it on for a couple of hours a week? Thanks, Steve. If you are not already confused, let me try to add a little. As indicated it needs to run enough to reduce the humidity to the desired level. Most (all?) have a humidistat (not a thermostat) that is adjustable. Most just have marks or if they have percentages, they are almost certainly inaccurate. You will need to do some trial and error to find a good setting for your situation. Likely you will want it as high as possible and still control the humidity. Most authorities (and myself who is not an authority) will suggest trying to keep it between 40 - 60%. Below 40% you start getting static and dry throat and above 60% mold likes to grow. When you first turn it on, it may take several days or even a week or more to bring the humidity down. Right now you likely have a lot of moisture in the walls, floors furniture etc and that will need to be reduced before things equalize. Also during the heating season, the process of heating along with the cold air outside reduces the inside humidity so it may not run as much during the winter as it will during the summer. Local conditions can reverse that. Good Luck -- Joseph Meehan Dia 's Muire duit |
#8
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Stupid question on dehumidifiers
Excellent points.
A window a/c, whether it is sitting smack dab in the middle of the room or properly mounted in a window, is a dehumidifier. As are Amana-type portables, etc. The diff. is, I think, the coils in a dehumidifiers won't freeze up as quick as in a regular A/C. Also, on a really humid day, a real dehumidifier/A/C can crank out 5 gals of water in 12 hours!! nearly pure water, as well. As Buffalo pointed out, yours is not a "real" dehumidifier, and I would seriously doubt it will do a good de-moisturizing job, esp. where damp walls, furniture, joists, etc. might be involved. If you have an old A/C lying around, or a window a/c you could take out for the winter, finagle a drip pan w/ the A/C sitting on a milk crate, and compare the two. -- ------ Mr. P.V.'d (formerly Droll Troll), Yonkers, NY Stop Corruption in Congress & Send the Ultimate Message: Absolutely Vote, but NOT for a Democrat or a Republican. Ending Corruption in Congress is the *Single Best Way* to Materially Improve Your Family's Life. The Solution is so simple--and inexpensive! entropic3.14decay at optonline2.718 dot net; remove pi and e to reply--ie, all d'numbuhs "buffalobill" wrote in message oups.com... "Manufacturer's Description Weighing only 5.5kg, and only 17cm wide, the DNC60 is the lightest dehumidifier in the market and amongst the most compact. Unlike most dehumidifiers the DNC60 does not use a compressor, making it very quiet in operation and also environmentally friendly, as no refrigerant gases are required. The built-in ionizer fills the air with healthy negative icons. Furthermore, the anti-bacterial filter cleans the air of dust and bacteria. Other features include: # Pull-up carry handle # Electronic auto shut off timer (up to 8 hrs) # 2 litre capacity tank # Swing function: oscillating louvers to optimize the air distribution # 3 power settings # Electronic anti-freeze setting Box Contents # 1x Full Product instructions." this unit may be discontinued or out of stock at amazon uk. this unit appears to be a compact ionizer as opposed to a conventional dehumidifier. why is the basement damp? some of these larger units you turn on and set for time or humidity level and visit and dump the moisture collector into a basement sink or drain. you could get a transmitter that sends temperature and humidity information to your receiver display in the home. often these may be built into atomic wall clocks or weather indicators. you then could plug the dehumidifier into a remote control so you can turn it on/off from the home. a regular dehumidifier will warm and dehumidify the basement. a regular dehumidifier is a very close cousin to a window air conditioner except the waste heat stays indoors along with the moisture usually in a bucket which you preferably connect to a drain. your desire for less humidity in the basement might be based on excessive humidity due to basement shower, laundry appliances, rainwater dampness, clothesline clothes drying, or foundation leaking. depending on your climate and season, airing out the basement with window fan in and window fan out on a dry low humidity outdoor day might be a first step to get a head start before plugging in your device. [looks like your compact unit only pulls 2 liters of water out of the air could it be more suitable as a bathroom ionizer?] see: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Delonghi-DNC...UTF8&s=kitchen kirkski wrote: Hi All, I've got what seems a really stupid question. I've just purchased a De Longhi DCN60 dehumidifier for my basement, but there's nothing in the user guide on best practices in terms of usage. Do i leave the dehumidifier permanently on? Do i leave it on for a few days a week? Do i leave it on for a couple of hours a week? Thanks, Steve. |
#9
Posted to alt.home.repair
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Stupid question on dehumidifiers
I'd be more concerned with if it even would work in a basement. Most
dehumidifiers won't. |
#10
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Stupid question on dehumidifiers
Why not?
-- ------ Mr. P.V.'d (formerly Droll Troll), Yonkers, NY Stop Corruption in Congress & Send the Ultimate Message: Absolutely Vote, but NOT for a Democrat or a Republican. Ending Corruption in Congress is the *Single Best Way* to Materially Improve Your Family's Life. The Solution is so simple--and inexpensive! entropic3.14decay at optonline2.718 dot net; remove pi and e to reply--ie, all d'numbuhs wrote in message ups.com... I'd be more concerned with if it even would work in a basement. Most dehumidifiers won't. |
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