Crawl Space Dehumidifier with Pump Install DIY

[@nicholasferriero6442]

Outstanding video! As a fellow DIY homeowner with a crawl space with high humidity, I have a need for such a unit. I just pulled the trigger and ordered the Sentinel HDi65s to replace a DriEaz crawl space dehumidifier that lasted 10+ years. That unit is discontinued and their new replacement was approximately twice the price of this HDi65s with lower review ratings. I had a few questions in my mind about this unit and you literally answered ALL of them! Thanks for this outstanding video!

[@HelpMeDIY]

+@nicholasferriero6442 you’re welcome! 🍻

[@iwastoldtherewouldbenomath6869]

Nice job with the install. I've installed dozens of a similar unit, Wise Air series dehu's, all made by the same company. I stopped because the failure rate was over 50%, attributed to a faulty design which required the condenser to be replaced. I see you have the 'blue' condenser which is the updated model. I only use April Aire but you have the newer model so you should be ok. You can easily calculate the requirements, based upon the code, to properly dehumidify a space; 70 pints/day per 1000 sq/ft of space is the basis. From there 70 by 1000, take the constant and then do the same for your space and it will give you the proper sizing per the code. It's actually a reasonable code requirement. Those duct flanges are designed to allow you connect a duct hose to the unit, 8" with a hose clamp. Depending on the size of the space get a 25 LF section of the non-insulated hose off Amazon to get mixing of the air down there. It will make a huge difference and save you $$ in the long run. Take a reading in the far corner and you will see the RH is always going to be higher because the dehu cannot move air to that point in the space. Also, if the vapor barrier is not sealed to walls, columns wrapped and seams taped the dehu is fighting a losing battle. Always. The final cheap fix, after sealing the barrier, is to install a couple of 4-6 inch round passive transfer vents in the supply trunk to partially condition the space. In reality though, unless it's properly encapsulated, including air sealing the hatch door, it would not be as effective. If you are interested I highly recommend looking over the specific building code: R408.3.

[@HelpMeDIY]

+@iwastoldtherewouldbenomath6869 I appreciate all the info!

[@RuslanVideoFilms]

Here in upper South Carolina we have Duke Energy but specifically in my neighborhood, the local monopolies won and it's a middle man called Blue Ridge. Same provider (Duke Energy), increased costs, worse net metering, worse peak pricing so that they make sure to profit -___- Made dehumidifying my basement impractical since with peak costs was approaching $550 in the summer months per month. Nice vid tho

[@HelpMeDIY]

+RuslanVideoFilms wow! Crazy

[@bobfognozzle]

I put one like this in my garage, keeps the M3 nice and dry while waiting to go out in nice weather.

[@HelpMeDIY]

+Bob Fognozzle nice!

[@jhnrls]

If there is no natural place to drain the condensation, should you send the hose out one of the vents? One concern is freezing in the winter but I don't see any natural outlets I can send it other than the vents...Thanks!

[@HelpMeDIY]

+@jhnrls I suppose you could but I’m not an expert on that at all

[@bobfognozzle]

And OBTW….. you might consider 4 in. Dia drain pipes at your downspouts to get water away from your foundation…about 5 feet should be good.

[@gatormark]

I was thinking the same thing!

[@Ransomed77]

Thanks for the review. Any updates on the alorair after 6 months? Thanks again.

[@HelpMeDIY]

+@Ransomed77 still working well 🍻

[@Ransomed77]

@@HelpMeDIY Thanks

[@bradtaylor301]

I have about 3 to 4 feet of crawlspace under my home. Square footage is about 1900sqft. Will this model be large enough to take care of the humidity problem?

[@HelpMeDIY]

+@bradtaylor301 well mine is a lot bigger and it seems to be doing a good job for me, so I would say yes.

[@bradtaylor301]

So I don't really need the "gravity" hose if I just use the pump drain hose? Then I can just run the pump hose outside? Am i understanding this correctly?

[@HelpMeDIY]

+@bradtaylor301 that’s correct

[@avelectronic2491]

Hi, thanks for the information. Looking to also get a dehumidifier for my crawl space 80% RH. Looks like it has been about 1 month since you posted the video. Can you please let me know if the humidity ever come down to 60 %? That's.

[@HelpMeDIY]

+AV Electronic sure did!

[@avelectronic2491]

@@HelpMeDIY thanks. Going to get it then. Since encapsulation cost upward of 15k. I have sealed all the vents and installed 1 exhaust fan to prevent Radon gas from the soil.

[@bradtaylor301]

I am sorry for being so ignorant but I have another question. I don't have any standing water issues under my house, but I do have humidity issues which cause mold. Is all I need to do is have the hose connected that moves the condensation caused from the humid conditions, from under the house to the outside? Sorry about the crappy sentence structure. :)

[@HelpMeDIY]

+@bradtaylor301 yes!

[@MrBritrider]

Did you have to put in a dedicated circuit for your power source or can you plug it into any available 120 outlet in the crawl space?

[@HelpMeDIY]

+@MrBritrider no reason to have it dedicated unless you have a lot of draw already on the circuit from something else

[@tadmccalister2234]

Did you seal your vents too? Without sealing it seems like a losing battle to continuously dehumidify circulating air that would run the electric bill way up.

[@HelpMeDIY]

+@tadmccalister2234 yes I mentioned that and also have a separate video on it

[@dustbat]

Sounds simple but how did you seal your vents. I find no tape that will hold on blocks?🦇

[@HelpMeDIY]

+@dustbat I have another video on that if you search my channel

[@justincro7146]

Just installed mine a hour ago, and hooked up the pump hose, do I need to purge, you didn’t review purging

[@HelpMeDIY]

+@justincro7146 I don’t remember anything about a purge so I probably didn’t? 🤷‍♂️

[@justincro7146]

@@HelpMeDIY I just realized, my system didn’t come with the drain plug. Was your already on the system ?

[@sabsanddad]

Just purchased this brand new and it’s been running for about two weeks straight but has yet to pump water. I have the pump drain connected and have tried to press the drain button but still nothing. Do you know what would cause this?

[@HelpMeDIY]

+@sabsanddad something isn’t right. I’d call their tech support

[@dustbat]

Are you sure you have a problem in the first place?🦇

[@jacobsmith8377]

I can barely crawl in my crawlspace, jesus is yours huge

[@HelpMeDIY]

+Jacob Smith 😆

[@ajamesbertman]

First thing I noticed too. I barely have enough room to roll over in mine

[@Zig285]

How is this working a year in? How have your energy costs changed?

[@HelpMeDIY]

+@Zig285 still going strong! Electric bill ticked up but I can’t say how much as I don’t pay that much attention

[@robertdinse6851]

Any idea how long the power cord is? Can't seem to find it stated anywhere.

[@HKL9063]

How loud it is when it runs? Tia

[@HelpMeDIY]

+@HKL9063 fairly quiet. Directly under my bedroom and I have never heard it even at night when it’s dead quiet.

[@awsom70]

So how is it working a year later? Any issues with the dehumidifier?

[@HelpMeDIY]

+@awsom70 still running strong 💪

[@Irvfam]

Do I have to close the openings around my crawl space in order to run a dehumidifier? I’m confused? I have 100-year-old home I just had to replace all the floorboards because it rotted out. My crawlspace is very short and it has dirt on the bottom.

[@HelpMeDIY]

+@Irvfam you don’t HAVE to, it will just work much better if you do

[@justincro7146]

So the crawl space vents will need to be blocked ?

[@HelpMeDIY]

+@justincro7146 yes, you want the crawl space sealed or humid air will continually be drawn in from the vents. Like running your AC with your windows open.

[@justincro7146]

@@HelpMeDIY what if I just close my vents, I should be good ? Floor has slab & perimeter is cinderblock.

[@jonathontate8707]

​@@justincro7146I went to Lowes, bought R5 insulation board, spray painted it black, and siliconed it on the inside of my vents.

[@LeahNoreman]

Anyone have a recommendation for one that works this well, is around the same price point, but doesn’t require a vapor seal to be in the crawl space? The internet can be helpful but there’s so much information and options I’m having trouble making a decision on what would be best. Can’t afford to install a vapor barrier any time soon.

[@HelpMeDIY]

+@LeahNoreman without a vapor barrier vapor will just be drawn back in. There is no magical solution for that unfortunately

[@bobfognozzle]

I would recommend a piece of pipe on the outside to direct the water away from the foundation…..about 5 feet should be enough.

[@HelpMeDIY]

+Bob Fognozzle these is actually drainage all around the exterior underground so hopefully that handles it well 🤷‍♂️

[@danhdo8233]

Does it run non stop?

[@HelpMeDIY]

No

[@skaramicke]

That's a walk space. I can barely crawl in my crawl space...

[@HelpMeDIY]

+@skaramicke 😂😁

[@Russ-od2yy]

I have to suck me gut in to get through mine haha

[@dustbat]

Those suggesting a pipe to run water off have a point. My water softener puts out water to clean and it pumps it out about 2 feet from house. I had a 3 foot hole developed where it drained in my gravel walk.🦇

[@jonathanritter7364]

Are you happy with this unit?

[@HelpMeDIY]

+@jonathanritter7364 yes I am! 🍻

[@johnr5545]

Thanks god bless

[@HelpMeDIY]

+@johnr5545 you’re welcome 🍻

[@EdA-bz3bu]

*I would think they at least put a vapor barrier under the slab.*

[@HelpMeDIY]

+@EdA-bz3bu let’s hope 😆