Buying guide for Best Danby dehumidifiers
Moisture is a prime example of everything in moderation, especially with regard to your home. While very low humidity can cause dry skin, nosebleeds, and static shocks, too much humidity can cause mold growth, rot, and an increase in allergy symptoms. One of the most effective ways to combat high home humidity is with a Danby dehumidifier.
Danby is a family-owned business that began in Montreal, Quebec, in 1947. While the first products were hot plates and slow cookers, over the years Danby has diversified to manufacture a wide variety of appliances for all areas of your home. The company's reputation for dependability makes Danby a desirable brand to consider when choosing a dehumidifier.
If you'd like to learn more about how to tell if your home has high humidity and how a Danby dehumidifier can help if it does, keep reading. If you’d like some quick suggestions for top Danby dehumidifiers, consider the products that we've spotlighted on this page.
Key considerations
Size
Since you use a dehumidifier to remove moisture from the air in your home, it may help to think of the machine as like a roll of paper towels. If you try to clean up a large spill using just one paper towel, you're not going to be very successful. Conversely, if you use several paper towels for a tiny spill, you’re wasting money. The key consideration when purchasing a dehumidifier is to get one that is properly sized for your home.
On June 13, 2019, the U.S. Department of Energy released updated energy standards for dehumidifiers. The following are the general sizes Danby recommends.
Small: Danby defines an area up to 2,000 square feet as a small space. The best model for the job removes up to 30 pints of moisture from the air over a 24-hour period.
Midsize: Danby defines an area between 2,000 and 3,000 square feet as a midsize space. The best model for the job removes up to 50 pints of moisture from the air over a 24-hour period.
Large: Danby defines an area over 3,000 square feet as a large space. The best model for the job removes 60 pints or more of moisture from the air over a 24-hour period.
Did You Know?
Since humid air promotes mold growth, using a dehumidifier can often drastically reduce allergy symptoms like itchy eyes, sneezing, and wheezing.
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Features
While all of Danby's dehumidifiers include certain convenient features like a two-speed fan, auto restart (for power failure), reusable filter, and programmable timer, there are a few features that vary from model to model.
Deicing
Because of the way refrigerant dehumidifiers work (the condenser must be colder than the outside air), most dehumidifiers work best when it’s warmer than 60°F. As it gets colder, frost can form on the evaporator and affect the unit’s performance. Certain models of Danby dehumidifiers have a deicing function that allows the unit to work in colder temperatures.
Drain
A dehumidifier has a reservoir that collects the moisture that’s pulled from the air. When the reservoir gets full, the machine shuts off and the user must empty the water. Some models have a drain that allows the water to run out of the unit so it can be directed to a floor drain via a hose. If your dehumidifier has this feature, it means you won’t need to manually empty the reservoir.
Pump drain: Some models of Danby dehumidifiers also have a pump drain. This feature enables you to press a button to turn on a pump that moves the water up and out of the reservoir to a distance of not more than 15 feet. While this feature may come in handy, the manufacturer still recommends manually emptying the reservoir every few days to make sure the water doesn't stagnate and develop mildew.
Color
The last variable to consider when purchasing a Danby dehumidifier is the color. While the color won’t affect the operation of the unit, you want to choose a model that fits in with your décor if the dehumidifier will be in a visible location.
Did You Know?
In order for the dehumidifier to operate efficiently, it’s important to keep windows and exterior doors closed.
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Danby dehumidifier prices
Inexpensive: Danby dehumidifiers start at around $160. At this price you get the smallest size, able to handle an area of up to 2,000 square feet.
Mid-range: Around the $250 mark, you find models that can handle a space that’s around 2,500 square feet
Expensive: For around $300, you can buy a unit that controls the humidity in a space that’s roughly 3,000 square feet. Additionally, Danby makes portable air conditioners that can also function as a dehumidifier. These models can cost $500 or more.
Did You Know?
Besides the climate, there are many other factors that can affect your home's humidity level, such as steamy showers, cooking, leaky pipes, and even moisture that rises from the ground.
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Tips
If you've always lived with high humidity, it might be hard to recognize because to you it’s normal, but that doesn't mean it’s desirable or healthy. The following are a few signs that your home may have excess humidity.
- Condensation: One of the signs that’s easy to overlook is condensation. While condensation is normal to an extent (it's why a wet ring forms on a table when you rest a cold glass on it), not being able to see out your windows or having water streaks on mirrors means your humidity is probably too high.
- Mold: Mold needs water to grow. While it might be common to find mold around leaks, when there is excess water in the air, mold can grow just about anywhere. That’s why, if you see random patches of mold on the ceiling or walls or in corners or closets, you should consider the possibility that you have a home with high humidity.
- Water stains: When the moisture in the air condenses, it creates a spot of water. If you find seemingly inexplicable water stains in areas where there isn’t water, then the moisture is coming from the air, which means the humidity is high.
- Odors: If you've ever been inside a home that’s been flooded, you've likely noticed a musty odor. If you detect faint (or heavy) traces of that smell in areas of your home, it means you have mold and mildew. The formation of mold and mildew is a result of a moist atmosphere, such as the one in a home with excess humidity.
- Rotting wood: If you find patches of rotting wood in your home that aren't a result of a leak, that’s a sign that the humidity in your house is higher than desirable.
- Allergies: While there are many causes of allergies, a humid home can create conditions that intensify the symptoms. If your allergies feel out of control, it could be a clue that the moisture level in your house is allowing allergens to thrive.
FAQ
Q. What is relative humidity?
A. Simply, relative humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air, measured as a percentage. Since warmer air can hold more moisture than cooler air, the percentage is a relative measurement rather than an absolute one.
Q. What is a good indoor humidity level?
A. Depending on where you live, humidity levels can vary wildly. This, along with a variety of other factors, can affect the humidity level inside your home. To keep you and your home as healthy as possible, it's best to aim for between 30％ and 60%.
Q. The air coming out of my dehumidifier is warm. Is that normal??
A. Yes. As long as the compressor is operating, it will generate heat. If the compressor is on, the air coming out of your dehumidifier will feel warm.
Q. Is the water from a dehumidifier safe to drink?
A. No. The water that collects in a dehumidifier falls under the general heading of gray water. Gray water is simply a term for household wastewater that doesn’t contain human waste. The water does, however, contain other contaminants, which makes it unsafe to drink. Since the gray water that collects in your dehumidifier hasn't been contaminated by soap or other chemicals, it can be used to water household plants.
Q. What is R410A refrigerant?
A. R410A is the new standard refrigerant used in air conditioners. Many years ago, the most common refrigerant was R12. It included chlorofluorocarbons (CFC), which are extremely damaging to the ozone layer. R12 was replaced by R22, which contained hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC). While slightly better for the environment, R22 was still damaging the ozone layer. As of 2020, R22 has been phased out. While R410A isn't perfect, its lack of chlorine makes it much safer for the environment than previous refrigerants.
