Basement Air Systems

South Dakota | Nebraska | Wyoming

Choosing the Best Dehumidifier for your Home

sanidry-sedona-system

Aprilaire System Features & Benefits

  • Stops mold growth, musty odors & dust mites
  • Eliminates muggy feeling caused by high humidity
  • Relieves asthma and allergies
  • Lowers electricity costs over time

If your basement or crawl space is still damp and musty and you already have a dehumidifier then it’s obvious the unit you have is not doing the job.

Dehumidifiers are set to shut off at a predetermined level of dryness. If your unit never shuts off then the space never reaches an acceptable level of dryness. What’s worse is if your dehumidifier has a collection tray. You can expect it to fill up every 12 hours or so; if you aren’t emptying it regularly then your unit is hardly working at all!

There are a lot of factors to evaluate when shopping for a dehumidifier. To help you choose the best solution for your basement or crawl space Blackburn Foundation Repair will tell you the five key features that make our dehumidifier one of the best. If you would like to learn more about basement or crawl space dehumidifiers, or would like a price quote, call or contact us today for a FREE, no obligation estimate.

1. Your Dehumidifier Should be Powerful Enough to do the Job

The most common complaint from homeowners who have purchased a dehumidifier is that it runs constantly but the basement is still damp. The end result of this kind of purchase is a damp, moldy space AND a higher energy bill.

One solution is to buy a second dehumidifier, however this is an expensive and ineffective solution. Twice as many dehumidifiers means twice the noise, twice the energy usage and very often a basement that is still damp! The best solution is to buy a unit that is designed to completely dry the area in question.

The AprilAire Dehumidifier is capable of dehumidifying an entire basement in an energy-efficient manner. It uses a powerful blower motor that sends dry, dehumidified air throughout the space.

2. Find an Energy-Efficient Dehumidifier

Few dehumidifiers are Energy Star rated but those that are feature reduced energy use that can save you money. The best rated dehumidifiers can run twice as long and use only two-thirds as much electricity, which can amount to considerable savings over the life of the unit.
If you are still concerned with the energy usage of your dehumidifier you may want a model that allows you to adjust the level of dryness. This way you can set it on high for an environment that will be easiest on your cooling bills (dry air is easier to cool than humid air) or you can set it so that the area is just dry enough to inhibit mold growth.

3. Install a Self-Draining Dehumidifier

Dehumidifiers that can be bought at the hardware store or home center have a tray that will fill every 12 hours or so. To keep your basement dry with one of these units you would have to empty the tray at least 14 times a week or more! Human nature being what it is as time passes the tray gets emptied less and less frequently. If you get to the point of only emptying the unit once a week the unit is working only 7% of the time while the humidity in your basement goes unchecked 93%!

Your time and energy are too valuable to be used emptying collection trays so why bother when a quality unit can do it for you. Our basement or crawl space dehumidifiers can be set up so they will drain into a sump pump, sink, or any available opening. They can even be hooked to a condensate pump so that the water is discharged through the rim joist.

Basement Air Quality FAQs

Why does my basement feel damp or smell musty?

Basements often collect moisture because they are below ground and naturally cooler. Water seepage, humid outdoor air, and exposed soil in nearby crawl spaces can all raise humidity.

Will a regular household dehumidifier work in a basement?

Small portable units may struggle in a large or consistently damp basement. A properly sized, energy-efficient system is designed to remove more moisture and manage the space more reliably.

What humidity level should I maintain?

Keeping relative humidity below about 60 percent helps make the basement less welcoming to mold and dust mites. The best setting can vary with the home and season.

Can basement humidity affect upstairs air?

Yes. Air naturally moves upward through a home, so damp basement air and odors can reach living spaces.

Should water problems be fixed before adding a dehumidifier?

A dehumidifier controls moisture in the air, but it does not stop active water entry. Homes with leaks may also need basement waterproofing. Schedule a free inspection to find the right combination.

No matter which option you choose, your dehumidifier will be much more convenient and effective if it is a self-draining model.

4. Your Dehumidifier Should Include an Air Filter

If all you’re doing is dehumidifying the space you’re doing only half the job. A dehumidifier that provides air filtration as well. Some dehumidifiers offer filtration that can remove particles in the air as small as 2 microns while they dehumidify the space.

These systems do not purify the air but they do filter dust mite waste, mold spores and a wide variety of home allergy causing agents that are commonly found in a basement or crawl space.

5. Duct your Dehumidifier into the Finished Space

girl-with-mask

The last thing people want to see in a finished basement is a dehumidifier in the corner. This situation is easily solved by installing the unit in a closet or in an unfinished area of the basement.

If this option is used the dehumidifier must have a blower that is powerful enough to allow the air to be ducted out of the space such that the entire finished area will be kept dry.

Basement And Crawl Space Dehumidifier

Blackburn Foundation Repair has the crawl space and whole basement dehumidifiers you need to keep your spaces dry. Our  Aprilaire Basement Dehumidifier is an Energy Star rated solution that will keep your space dry while saving energy. It is a self-draining unit with a powerful blower that sends dry air throughout the basement or crawl space.

Adding an air filter can remove dust mite waste, mold spores and pollen, while the optional odor filter makes the air smell fresh and clean as well.

For a free, no obligation quote on a dehumidifier solution please call or contact Blackburn Foundation Repair of South Dakota, Wyoming and Nebraska today!

Services

Free Estimate!

Name
Please select the service(s) you are interested in:

Testimonials

Posted on Google Google
Casey Lillefloren profile picture
Casey Lillefloren
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Very knowledgeable team, very up front on the issues we had and didn’t try to book any unnecessary work. Worked with us to customize the job and stay within our budget
Posted on Google Google
Brenda Schlup profile picture
Brenda Schlup
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Technician was very personable, friendly and knowledgeable. The project turned out great. Now, only time will tell about longevity.
Posted on Google Google
Michael Miles profile picture
Michael Miles
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Was very professional. Very knowledgeable. Tanner and his crew were awesome. Hopefully we won't need anymore repairs. But if we go, they will be the first call.
Posted on Google Google
Wanda profile picture
Wanda
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Tanner was very friendly and knowledgeable
Posted on Google Google
Lois Mack profile picture
Lois Mack
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Very friendly, knowledgeable and prompt. He answered all of our questions!
Posted on Google Google
Lowell Christensen profile picture
Lowell Christensen
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Tanner and his crew were very professional, always keeping me in the loop as the project progressed.
Posted on Google Google
Rob Houdek profile picture
Rob Houdek
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
The Blackburn team was very professional and explained to me exactly what the were going to repair. They also asked me to inspect their work to ensure I was satisfied.
Posted on Google Google
Sacora Rogers profile picture
Sacora Rogers
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Sinan was through and explained everything in detail to my parents. He gave multiple options and was very honest on current and past issues and why other things did not work before. He was super patient and kind.
Posted on Google Google
Kasthuri Church profile picture
Kasthuri Church
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Lot information and estimate on the repair of our foundation.
Posted on Google Google
Gwen Lehman profile picture
Gwen Lehman
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
The service technician was thorough and polite. He gave us a report on our system.
Verified by Trustindex
Trustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more

Blackburn Foundation Repair
Service Area

SF

Sioux Falls, SD

Our primary service hub covering the greater Sioux Falls metropolitan area and surrounding communities.

SD

Spearfish, SD

Serving the Black Hills region with comprehensive services for residential and commercial clients.

CW

Casper, WY

Extending our quality services to Wyoming’s second-largest city and the surrounding Natrona County area.
PS

Pierre, SD

Serving Pierre and communities across central South Dakota with trusted foundation repair, basement waterproofing, crawl space repair, concrete leveling, sump pump, and radon solutions.