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I'm looking to get one of those or a used large one. I'm trying to get humidity down to thr 50s from 65 and higher in an apartment.

I'm looking to get one of those or a used large one. I'm trying to get humidity down to thr 50s from 65 and higher in an apartment.

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[–] • 2 pts

Only in enclosed spaces. Depending on the natural humidity of your area, you'll have to dump the small units daily unless you set up an auto-"dumping" tube system. It's good for keeping mold growth down in enclosed spaces though.

Disclaimer: I basically live outside in a costal region. I dump the thing literally daily if not twice. The plants love it.

For your purposes it would work. I can recommend the cheap amazon waykar unit. Comes with a tube system for consistent water disposal, as long as it's ground level. Embrace the day to few-day disposal process and it'll work out.

[–] • 1 pt

An air conditioner does the same thing if you need cooling. A dehumidifier will heat the area because it doesn't vent to the outside.

[–] • 0 pt

I wonder if a portable AC could do both. If you want it cooler you put the vent hose outside. If you just want to dehumidify but not cool you let it vent inside.

[–] • 0 pt

An AC and a DeH are the same mechanism. The only difference is that the AC is mounted in a window or exterior wall so the waste heat and condensation (drip drip) can be dumped outside the living space. A DeH dumps condensation into a bucket and dumps the waste heat into your house.

[–] • 0 pt

My thought was that a portable AC would be easier to switch modes. Having a window unit sitting in the middle of the room would be intrusive. But, it seems the portable ACs actually work a little differently, so aren't very good as an AC. Apparently they have a single air intake, which splits over the two sets of coils (condenser, evaporator). The hot air goes out the tube, which is meant to go outside. Thus it creates negative pressure in the room, drawing fresh air from wherever it can get in. So you get humid air from outside coming in. A normal split window unit runs outside air over the warm side, so doesn't force air inside the room.

[–] • 1 pt

It definitely helps. Typically I'll let it run until the humidity comes down to where I want, then turn it off and put on the AC for a few minutes to get the cool air back. But my AC unit is inside the apartment and not sucking in wet air from outdoors, so YMMV.

[–] [deleted] • 0 pt

I have an in apartment ac unit to but when I use to live in this area it was always humid.

[–] • 0 pt

I bought a yacht to live on. Which are basically airtight when all closed up-- looking for the smallest dehumidifier possible, with a tube for directing drainage.

[–] • 0 pt

Watch for mold. You might have to throw it away every 2-4 months, otherwise you'll start vaporizing mold into your lungs.

In other words. Not worth the risk.

[–] [deleted] • 0 pt

In the condenser coils, fans, or fins?

[–] • 0 pt

It gets everywhere. Crevices. Anywhere it's wet.

My solution was to get a $25 disposable Vicks branded one. I kept it pretty clean in between uses - but tossed it after a few months and just bought another.

[–] [deleted] • 0 pt

Roger. I got a $40 one. It sort of works.

[–] • 0 pt

Yes, totally worth it!

It will make the room more comfortable to sleep in while also inhibiting mold growth.

[–] • 0 pt

It should easily suck the humidity out of an apartment, as BoozyB said, it will let off some heat in the process.

[–] • 0 pt

It'll make your throat dry.