Dehumidifier for a 35sqm room

Click_It on 02/02/2021 - 14:03
Last edited 02/02/2021 - 14:04

Hi guys

I have a 1 room flat which is approx 35sqm with a detached bathroom. It doesn't "feel" overly humid but there certainly in a mold problem under the bed and furniture. Airflow is a problem too, only 1 window as this flat is underground on the other 3 sides so I have a fan on most days even if it's not hot, just to get some airflow movement.

The mold I can deal with, it's a hassle but comes up without too much effort. But it's become apparent I'm making the mold situation worse - I have been drying my clothes inside most of the time (limited outside space facing the street) with a fan blasting the rack, it works but is obviously creating a vicious circle. So I'm looking at a humidifier, a desiccant is probably best for me as I'll use it through winter in <20 temps. (A drier isn't an option here)

Ionmax Dehumidifier ION632 is the one Choice likes and seems like the best pick for me, though it's not cheap either. I know Breville have cheaper ones, but then are you getting what you pay for?

Any owners of dehumidifiers feel free to chime in. I'd like one that's rated for my area (35sqm) and particularly proven on drying clothes. Will the ones rated 30-50sqm be hugely improved over the lower tier that tends to be up to 30sqm?

Home & Garden Dehumidifier

Comments

  • studentl0an on 02/02/2021 - 14:22
    +1

    If you don't already own one, purchase a hygrometer to see what the relative humidity in the room is to verify you actually need one. I'd bet you do though by the sounds of it.

    Chances are you have actual water coming in from the earth. Basements are known for this. Do you ever get water coming in after a lot of rain? Was there ever a drain/sump in the room?

    Dehumidifers use a lot of electricity to run. It's not a cheap band aid solution if you have moisture ingress problems.

    • Click_It on 02/02/2021 - 14:45

      It's a strange setup, the walls are all double walled with a 1 foot buffer in between so no water actually makes it in, even during heavy downpours. I have cold showers so I don't create much condensation but my daughter will have a 20 min hot showers when she stays with me, and that will hang around well into the following day even with the door open.

      The only drain is a wimpy one in the bathroom which collects from the kitchen, shower and toilet. I know it's wimpy because it was all clogged up when I moved in and my plumber was here for 7 hours making it right.

      Electricity is less of a concern as it's a shared roof situation, 3 others live upstairs entirely separated to me where they have ducted, 3 bathrooms etc. It seems their AC runs most of the year so I'm essentially subsidising them (I don't have hot showers, no heaters in winter, no AC in summer - I live reasonably minimilistic) which is okay for now as this is a short term thing but being able to more easily dry my clothes + slow down the mold issues would be a double bonus. Plus a little extra heat in winter I won't say no to.

      I used to have a hygrometer, good idea I'll get a new one.

      • studentl0an on 02/02/2021 - 15:02
        +1

        It sounds like the owners converted the basement into a separate dwelling. Was that approved by the council? If the retaining walls have cracks in them, water will seep into the void between it and the interior walls molding up the void and interior.

        I think you need to get a professional in to have a look. I'd personally be a lot more alarmed than you by the mold on the walls. It's not healthy.

        • Click_It on 02/02/2021 - 17:36
          +1

          Knowing the landlord, doubtful. It's a stepping stone accommodation for me after exiting a marriage and starting over. I will only be here another 6 months tops.

          The walls are all sound, behind each wall are more external walls so its essentially double brick walled. The house was actually built very well, though this current landlord has let things slide (mostly upstairs).

          And there's no mold on the walls or ceilings which tells me the problem isn't extreme, and my little Xiaomi fan running most days probably helps with that. But under my bed where there is zero airflow is where mold will grow on the tiles if I leave it long enough. Now that I'm aware of it I clean regularly before it can get hold (vinegar and a eucalyptus product, I can't use chemicals as the place doesn't breath and bleach only lightens not kills all mold)

          It's not an ideal situation but it's affordable, my neighbours upstairs are respectful and quiet, my only gripe is their energy usage but divided 4 ways it's still less than what I used to pay at the old family home. I have 3 jobs so I'm getting ahead fast so I can move in Winter.

      • ozbargainer666 on 02/02/2021 - 16:54

        use a squeegee after showering

        • Click_It on 02/02/2021 - 17:31

          I actually do already :)

  • morse on 02/02/2021 - 15:02
    +1

    I bought a few of these from BigW for a large house I'm responsible for which is unattended and run the drain hose into the centre floor drain in the ensuite (they also have a tank though), as it's all closed up without airflow and started to get a mould problem. https://www.bigw.com.au/product/breville-the-smart-dry-dehum…

    Unfortunately I haven't been back yet so can't comment on performance. I chose to buy from BigW as if they are faulty, or breakdown it's easy to get a refund. Whilst they were running when we were there, they sucked heaps of moisture out of they air. It has a clothes dry function and seemed to help with the one load of laundry that I did whilst I was there.

    A more expensive but potentially better value solution would be to get reverse cycle air conditioning installed. Most of them have a dehumidify mode (i.e. without heat or cold), or you can also run it on fan mode for airflow. It has the added benefit of heating and cooling. If you own this is an investment in the property. If you're renting you can ask the landlords (unlikely to be successful though)

    • Click_It on 02/02/2021 - 17:40

      If it were my house I'd certainly get a reverse cycle installed, I agree it's the best fix. But it's not my house nor do I intend to be here long term. At least with a dehumidifier I have it if I need it for bathrooms or laundry rooms in future or just sell it and get most of my money back.

  • EightImmortals on 02/02/2021 - 16:32
    +2

    Got one from these guys, good service if you need info. https://www.ausclimate.com.au/

  • ozbargainer666 on 02/02/2021 - 16:46
    +1

    i got the ionmax 622 for my tiny studio and its perfect
    Edit: It dries my clothes too

    • Click_It on 02/02/2021 - 17:46
      +1

      Awesome thanks! I'm leaning towards the Ionmax but the bigger brother ION632. What size is your studio and where/how do you use yours? How you answer might allow me to save a few bucks and get that model instead.

      EDIT: Your 622 model is actually really cheap at around $270ish delivered at various places currently, that's a bargain. It says "up to 50sqm" so maybe it will get the job done for me, the only concern is it's a compressor unit which perform worse in winter (under 20c) but better in summer without the added heat and lower power. I'll strongly consider it as this is almost half of my original price expectation.

      • ozbargainer666 on 02/02/2021 - 18:57

        my living areas probably 5 metres by 4 metres. its a seriously small student apartment with no airflow except for one window. I put the unit it in the bathroom for my morning shower and turn it on and run a timer for a few hours after my shower. then on humid days or if i'm cooking steamy food in the kitchen I'll put it in the kitchen. If I have it on ALL day I'd probably need to empty the tank 2-3 times a day. Depending on the weather.

  • Pina on 02/02/2021 - 17:39
    +1

    I was in a similar situation with a double brick place but it's also quite boxy. I went for the Breville the all climate and it's great. Paid $389 from Amazon last winter. I only need to use during winter as that's when the condensation builds up (I'm in Melb). If I dry clothes in the kitchen i have it on there otherwise in the hall between the bedrooms and bathroom.

    I have noticed that a by product of having it on is it does warm the place up. As per previous comments check for any potential water/ seepage issues. I'll be interested to hear what you go for and if it's fixed the mould issue down the track.

    • Click_It on 02/02/2021 - 17:45

      Thanks. That's the Breville I saw as a cheaper alternative to the Ionmax. I'll pull the trigger on something pretty soon, I kinda need to. And I'll happily update when I have something to share.

      But yeah I also dry my clothes in the kitchen as it's the only area where it's enough space for the rack :) I'll be thrilled if this helps dry everything. I also did my research on the added heat, I'm seeing it more as a pro than a con as Summer is mostly over now and Winter it'll double as a mild heater.

      I've lived in hot dry climates and hot humid climates. I can do hot dry much easier than humid, so the summer added heat is a trade off I can live with

  • skid on 02/02/2021 - 21:37
    +1

    All of the desiccant dehumidifiers are roughly the same. You can use their power consumption as a guide on how well they perform. I have a Breville and 2 Kogans.

    35sqm is quite a large area. One dehumidifier will work but it'll take over 8 hours to dry clothes. Shouldn't be a problem if you are ok with leaving it on overnight. If you want the clothes to dry faster, I'd get two desiccant dehumidifiers. Or if you can put them in a small room of say 6 - 15sqm with one dehumidifier. Double spin the clothes in the washer to eek as much water out of them in any case.

    • SF3 on 02/02/2021 - 23:02

      desiccant dehumidifiers

      They are great and dries faster in my experience vs compressor types ( I have both ). Also can reduce % humidity significantly (in enclosed spaces) compared with compressor dehumidifiers.

      Only thing is desiccant dehumidifiers warm the air up more, great in cooler weather and winter, heats the room up even more in mid summer (switch to AC to dry the air).

      They also use more electricity.

  • Click_It on 06/02/2021 - 14:40

    I've ended up ordering the Ausclimate NWT Large 35L Dehumidifier from Amazon ($479)
    It's a compressor unit not a desiccant so it won't be very helpful in winter but I don't recall mold being as much of an issue in the colder months so I've gone for the extra power in the warmer months instead.

    I won't have it until Feb 11, I'll report back on how it goes.

    • studentl0an on 09/02/2021 - 13:50

      I always thought refrigerant based dehumidifiers work wonders in the winter because they raise the temperature of the air along with dehumidifying. Compressors use a fair bit of energy to run, so they act as heaters too. Raising the temperature by itself increases the amount of moisture the air can hold, which further decreases relative humidity.

      As the coils will be well below ambient temperature when the compressor is running, moisture will still condense on them and drip into the collection tank. There shouldn't be that much of a difference between summer and winter as to how much it can pull from the air (provided the same relative humidity) as the coils should maintain x degrees below ambient temperature when the compressor is running.

      In summer however it will act as a space heater, so it will get hot fast. Split system air conditioners act as dehumidifiers (provided the drain line is properly installed), and may be a better solution in summer than a refrigerant based dehumidifier. In summer for instance split system AC (heat pumps) moves the heat outside along with the condensed moisture, while refrigerant dehumidifiers keep all the heat inside.

      • Click_It on 09/02/2021 - 22:36
        +1

        Well that's great to know! It arrived today, a day early - lucky I was home coz these are heavy suckers and it would have been a pain with my sore back getting it from the post office.

        Yeah I miss my old place having amazing ducting throughout, I sure was spoilt then. Humidity was gone in minutes.

        If I get a chance I'll fire this thing up tomorrow. But it's good to know it's still useful as the temps begin dropping.

  • Click_It on 10/02/2021 - 13:14
    +1

    Okay an update.

    My Ausclimate NWT Large 35L Dehumidifier (compressor based) unit was powered on today. At first I was disappointed. It did nothing in the first hour on low mode (I work from home so I didn't want it too loud) but maybe for the first use they need some time.

    The house was 74% RH when I started. Certainly not the most humid of days but still not pleasant. Then I cranked it up to full speed, still leaving the setting on 60% RH. It hit 60% fairly easily and I've backed it onto slow speed, it is reporting 62%.

    It's 26c now, exactly where I started at, so the temp hasn't changed but it feels cooler without the high humidity. I notice if I'm moving around I still notice it but sitting at my desk working, the 62% humidity is much better than 74%. When I am more active, or when I have company I might push it lower. But I'm pretty happy with it so far. I can't wait to put it next to a rack of wet clothes so see how it handles that.

    Yes they are loud, to me it really just sounds like I've left the overhead fan on. You sure notice it but it's not painful. In fact I've kind of tuned it out already. It sits about 5M away from me.

    What surprises me is the level of water collected, there's only about 1L there after about 3 hrs of high/low use. I guess if I changed the setting to 50 or 40% RH it would get more but the difference is very noticeable despite such a small amount of water being extracted. It's just more pleasant to be in here now. I don't know how long it takes to get humid and horrible once I turn it off. I have guests coming later so I'm going to leave it running a few more hours before I find out that.

    If once humidity is extracted, it tends to stay that way for awhile then this product will be amazing. Ie, I don't want to have to run it too many hours every day. I had kinda hoped by going overkill with a thirsty but more powerful unit I could get away with using a unit in shorter bursts, not to save electricity but simply just to reduce the time it needs to be on. Early thoughts are that I may have accomplished that with this unit.

    • kgree92 on 08/05/2021 - 21:15

      hi hows the dehumidifier going? does it operate automatically if the humidity reaches a certain %?

      • Click_It on 09/05/2021 - 12:12

        It does, it's going well. Takes the moisture out of the room effectively. Great investment. Mould not regrowing

        • kgree92 on 09/05/2021 - 16:26

          great to hear! you mentioned that it is loud. does it have a quiet option? i.e. low power mode

          also how's your electricity bill since having it? how many hours do you use it normally per day

          • Click_It on 10/05/2021 - 15:45

            @kgree92: It's not that loud as I've gotten used to it now I guess but yes it has a low mode option.

            No idea on the power cost but since I'm feeling healthier I don't care. You could do the math though, it wouldn't be much.

            I usually only need to run it about 2 hours in this 35sqm room for it to dry it out. And if the noise is an issue you can just run it when you go shopping or whatever, as a bonus in winter the room will be slightly warmer on return.

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