Built-in Dehumidifier

[Greg Di]

I'm working on a basement project where the client has expressed an interest in a built-in dehumidification system.

Does anyone have any reccomemdations for models I should look at based on past experiences? I assume the electrician runs a circuit to it and the plumber runs a drain line from the unit into the waste system, right?

The basement is roughly 3000 CUBIC FEET.

[hrww22]

Santa Fe makes a unit.
www.sylvane.com/index.html

[S.Joisey]

I've looked around for dehumidifiers a bit for myself. Santa Fe seems top of the line. You'll get more info if you do a web search.

[James Eggert]

"a drain line from the unit into the waste system, right?"

Wrong, although many people still do it that way! We used to drain direct vent furnaces also into the septic or sewer line, bit the code has changed and doesn't allow it anymore!

If there is a sump pit, that works. Some sump pits have exterior drainage and some are connected to the waste system. Sometimes you can't correct everything as exists!

[Greg Di]

Thanks for that update Jim...I had no idea about that code change. Worst case, we'll run it like condensate line from an A/C. That is, clear tubing out throught the masonry wall.

I've been hunting around online and haven't found much to look at. Does anyone know if there is a better term for these units than "built-in dehumidifiers"?

[James Eggert]

Greg
I bought a Whirlpool for my house, 2 speed with a "dryness" control and put a short hose into the drain extension I t'd off the footing drains when I built the house, never have to empty the thing.
After a couple years, the house dried out, and it rarely even kicks on now!
One time I placed a small unit on a shelf and we did the line thing thru the wall for a client. It got the job done!

[Finnegan]

What code restricts boiler condensate drains from being run into a sewer? I see that all the time in NJ.

[James Eggert]

I know in CT this was changed. It has something to do with the corrosive nature of the condensate. Anyway, this was a problem when a hvac sub ran a copper line outside thru the wall, the line froze, the condensate pump was tied to the furnace relay(stupid ****), furnace shut down, new house froze shortly after interior painting, copper line thawed out, furnace went back on, 8 frozen pipes started spraying water all over the unfinished oak floors and anywhere else it could hit....lots of legal fun later....anyway, the subs won't install the nipples in the pvc waste lines anymore, at least on new construction(and probably remodeling also) due to some code change!

[vermonster]

Don't believe code prohibits that here as we just finished a job with a very fancy European modulating, condensing boiler that drained into the septic. Heating guy installed a "neutralizer" (tub with marble chips) in the condensate line prior to the pump. Said condensate from condensing gas boilers is very acidic and eats pump innerds and cast iron sewer pipe. Could be the rationale if locale AHJ is banning.

VT

[dgbldr]

Guys, let's not confuse apples and oranges here. Condensate from flue gas is a totally different animal and may be acidic. Condensate from A/C or dehumidifier is pure water condensed from ambient vapor and cannot contain anything else. There is no code I know of that prevents dumping pure distilled water into the sewer.

DG/Builder

[Dick Seibert]

I don't know the code but I've never seen it done. I suppose that it would have to be vented and the costs wouldn't justify it.

[Greg Di]

Guys, let's not confuse apples and oranges here. Condensate from flue gas is a totally different animal and may be acidic. Condensate from A/C or dehumidifier is pure water condensed from ambient vapor and cannot contain anything else. There is no code I know of that prevents dumping pure distilled water into the sewer.

DG/Builder

What I've seen (and then done) is drill a 1" hole in the foundation just above grade and stick the hose from the pump in the hole and seal around it. We are not talking about gallons and gallons of water here.

[ngyuming1981]

Here is some info for Santa Fe Dehumidifier :

# Water removal capacity: 106 pints/day
# Large Dehumidification area: Powerful enough to handle whole basements 1500 - 2500 sq. ft.
# Power supply: 110v, 6.8 amps, 60Hz
# Lower temperature operation: These have a high quality built-in defrost system designed for operation in cooler environments down to 53°F
# Energy Star rated: Meets EPA government standards to earn Energy Star rating of 2.5-2.75 liters per kilowatt hour
# Adjustable humidistat: Variable 20% to 80% RH suitable for variable environment and cycles off and on automatically
# Contains 2 filters: A foam pre-filter which can be vacuumed or hand washed, and a pleated fabric filter which can be vacuumed clean as well
# Automatic anti frost sensor: Prevents frost build up on internal coils
# Contains a blower switch: Permits continuous blower operation independent of dehumidification
# Condensate pump with tubing: Santa Fe has a Condensate Pump Kit sold separately below
# Gravity flow water drain: For condensate drainage


Confort Aire Dehumidifier is also a good choice.

[David Meiland]

Doesn't it warm your hearts that we have a new guy, and he starts things off with a SOLID post...

[frenchie]

That, or a spammer... did you notice that both his links led to freestanding (not built-in) dehumidifiers?