The dehumidifiers that have a drain connection, can empty the collected moisture with the help of a standard hose. The moisture is continually drained to a floor drain.
Dehumidifiers are an effective and convenient solution to reduce high humidity levels and make interior spaces comfortable and healthy for occupants. But there is an issue with the continuous operation of these devices.
Dehumidifiers absorb the condensing moisture from the humid air, but then what happens to the collected humidity? Dehumidifiers accumulate the excess moisture in internal containers that need to be either carried manually or drained in a bucket to be disposed of in a drain or a sink, making it a cumbersome and time-consuming process. Some people even quit using dehumidifiers due to the hassles involved. However, there are other ways to drain the dehumidifier automatically:
Gravity drainage – This method involved connecting a hose to a drain outlet on the dehumidifier’s back or side, which allows it to drain its collected condensate using gravity. The collected water runs through a hose into a floor drain, sink, or out-of-doors area. Most of the dehumidifiers come equipped with this drainage functionality.
This method’s possible drawback is that it only works when the drain hole is placed lower than the dehumidifier. Since it is working on gravity to the condensate, you need to be mindful of the horizontal distance between the device’s outlet and the drain. Running the drain hose parallel to the ground for too long of a stretch could impact efficient drainage. You can raise the dehumidifier level by putting it on a table, shelf, or even a chair.
Pump drainage – This method allows you to drain the dehumidifier into a sink or a floor drain far away without physically raising the dehumidifier.
You can employ pump drainage by either buying a dehumidifier with a built-in pump or purchasing an external pump and hose for existing dehumidifiers.
For dehumidifiers with a built-in pump, connect the pump drain hose to the drain outlet on the device designated for pump drainage.
The external condensate pump works precisely the same way as the internal pump on built-in pump units. The hosing will work the same way as it does on the included hosing on a built-in pump unit and allows for more flexibility regarding how far away from the dehumidifier the drain can be located. Always use the water hose or tube that came with the dehumidifier, as its length will match the rated pumping distance.
Learn: How to remove musty smells from the house using a dehumidifier
Why you should buy a dehumidifier with gravity drain connection
The dehumidifiers that have a drain connection, can empty the collected moisture with the help of a standard hose. The moisture is continually drained to a floor drain. This is accomplished using gravity, and that is why positioning plays an important role in making the process a success.
Here’s what you need to do to use the drain connection.
- If your dehumidifier requires removal of the water tank, remove it, and locate the drain connection in the unit.
- Remove the drain cover.
- If there’s a hose with the unit, connect it to the connection. If there’s no hose with the unit, generally, a garden hose works.
- Cut the hose to an adequate length (as small as possible), and take it to the floor drain.
- Now, when you turn on the dehumidifier, all the collected moisture will continually empty into the floor drain. Make sure to place the dehumidifier on a higher level, and the hose should be lying flat on the ground.
Things to Consider While Buying a Drain Hose Dehumidifier
Location: You need to decide where the dehumidifier will be placed in the house and how the water will be drained.
Drainage method: If you like your dehumidifier to drain accumulated moisture into an external drainage outlet, ensure that it includes a hose connection and the necessary add-ons to use the hose drainage option or need to be purchased separately.
Portability – If you choose a large and heavy commercial dehumidifier, it would be better to go for a unit with caster wheels, as they can be moved around easily as per requirement.
Advanced Air Filtration: Advanced air filters capture finer particles and debris and protect sensitive compressors from damage.
Automatic Restart: This feature automatically restarts a dehumidifier in the event of a power outage. It comes handy when you need round the clock dehumidification.
Best Dehumidifiers with Drain Hose (with Reviews)
1. Frigidaire FFAD7033R1
Frigidaire is an excellent choice when it comes to getting some of the best home care appliances. Take FrigidAir FAD7033R1for example; it’s efficient, safe, and well worth your money. Let’s find out more about the product.
Features
Portable Design:
It is a compact unit, and you can easily place it in the most efficient location to get the most out of it. The portable design of the unit allows for it to be moved around with ease. The dehumidifier is capable of removing up to pints of excess moisture every day and is ideal for your large basement.
Efficient:
This FrigidAir unit is also energy-smart in its working and uses very little energy. This way, you save a lot on your power charges. The dehumidifier has a low-temperature operation, and you can rest easy knowing that while it’s fixing your humidity, it’s also saving your money.
Ready- select Electronic Controls:
The dehumidifier is easy to operate, thanks to its ready-select electronic controls. You can stay updated with the humidity status thanks to the digital humidity readout. The unit also has 24 hours on/off timer you can use to set it to your convenience, and there’s also the option of control lock available to the users.
Easy to use:
The dehumidifier is easy to use, and features front, pull- out (13.1 Pint) tank with a top handle, two side handles, and splashguard. In case the tank is about to be full, the full tank alert lets you know about the status, and the unit automatically shuts off.
Continuous Operation:
Continuous operation is possible thanks to the drain connection of the unit, and you can use it by placing the unit near a suitable drain.
Specifications
- The unit weighs 47 Pounds.
- Its overall dimensions are 11.6 x 15 x 24.4 inches.
- It can remove up to 70 Pints of moisture every day.
Pros
- It is an efficient unit (Energy Star Certified).
- It can remove a large amount of moisture every day.
- There’s a drain connection for continuous operation.
- It has a portable design (Top handle, side handles, and caster wheels).
- The unit features digital humidity readout, 24 Hour on/off timer, control lock, full tank alert, and auto shut off.
Cons
- Maintenance can be tricky.
- Durability is an issue.
Why Buy this Unit?
If you’re looking to dehumidify a large amount of moisture from your basement, with quiet functioning, and efficiency, this is an adequate unit for you.
2. hOmeLabs Dehumidifier for Extra Large Basements
It is another large capacity dehumidifier on the list and is ideal for large basements and rooms. It is one of the most popular units in circulation. Let’s discuss the top features and specifications of this dehumidifier.
Features
Modern Design:
With its sleek and clean look, it is a dehumidifier perfect for any home. It is easy to move around, all thanks to the convenient built-in wheels and handles. It can cover large areas (up to 4,500 Square feet) and can remove up to 50 Pints of moisture from the air every day.
Easy to use:
The dehumidifier is quite easy to use, and you can easily adjust it to get the humidity levels to your liking. It has a 24-hour cycle, and after the tank is full, the unit automatically shuts down until you empty the water container to resume operation.
Safe:
The unit reduces odors and allergens from the air by removing bacteria from the air, and it accomplishes this using its in-built pump compressor.
Quiet Operation:
The dehumidifier works silently, so you can also dehumidify areas you’re working in, or sleeping. It also features Turbo mode that increases the fan speed from standard air CFM 165 to elevated air CFM 188 and does maximum moisture and odor removal.
Continuous Operation:
Continuous operation is possible with this unit as the dehumidifier features a drain hose outlet. The hose is not there with the dehumidifier, but you can use a 5/8″ diameter garden hose for the purpose.
Specifications
- The unit weighs 40 Pounds.
- Its overall dimensions are 15.4 x 11 x 24.3 inches.
- The water capacity of the unit is 1.8 Gallon.
- It is an ideal option for areas up to 4,500 Square feet.
- It can remove up to 50 Pints (70 Pint 2012 DOE Standard)moisture every day.
Pros
The dehumidifier can cover large areas.
It has a sleek design and is easily portable.
The unit features a drain hose outlet for continuous operation.
It features auto shut-off.
It has an in-built pump compressor.
Cons
It does not work well in low temperatures.
The plastic hose base is irreplaceable.
Why Buy this Dehumidifier?
It is a sleek machine, capable of covering large areas, and removing large amounts, and it is an ideal option for your basement in summers.
3. Vremi 4,500 Sq. Ft. Dehumidifier
Here’s another large capacity dehumidifier that you can use for your basement.
Here’s more about the product.
Features
User- friendly Design:
The dehumidifier has a sleek and clean look and is comfortably portable thanks to the convenient, built-in wheels and handles. It is capable of covering large areas (3, 000 – 4,500 Square feet) and can remove up to 50 Pints every day.
Ease of Use:
It is easy to use the device, and you can easily adjust it to get your desired humidity settings. It has a 24- Hours cycle, and when the tank is full, you don’t have to worry about turning it off, thanks to the auto- shut off feature. Using the turbo mode, you can increase the fan speed for maximum moisture removal, and odor reduction.
Continuous Operation:
If you don’t feel like emptying the water container repeatedly, you can use the drain hose outlet to set up gravity drainage. This way, the moisture will be drained right away.
Specifications
- The unit weighs 44 Pounds.
- Its overall dimensions are 16.6 x 11 x 24.3 inches.
- It is an ideal option for areas up to 4,500 Square feet.
- The water capacity of the unit is 1.8 Gallons.
- It can remove up to 50 Pints (70 Pint 2012 DOE Rating Standard) moisture every day.
Pros
- It is an ideal option for medium to large basements.
- It is a portable and efficient unit.
- It is easy to use and maintain.
- The unit features a drain hose outlet for continuous operation.
- It has the auto- shut off feature.
Cons
- It can get noisy at times.
- Heat production is above the ordinary.
Why Buy this Dehumidifier?
Other smaller versions of these dehumidifiers are available, and you should buy this for a large basement, where there’s a proper floor drain.
4. Friedrich D70BP
Coming from a well- known, and trusted manufacturer, it is also a good option for medium to large basements.
Here’s what you need to know.
Features
Sleek and clean Design:
The dehumidifier has a modern design, and the non-louvered front panel has a clean and stylish appearance. It does not let the dust, pet hair, and other debris accumulate. For easy mobility, there are built-in casters.
Top-mounted controls:
Top-mounted controls let you determine the temperature and humidity percentage. You can easily set the controls according to your wishes.
Efficient:
The unit is Energy Star certified and saves you energy. It features two fan speeds and has a washable, slide-out anti-microbial filter.
Continuous Operation:
Along with a condensate bucket (16 Pints), the unit features a constant drainage outlet for continuous operation.
Built-in Drain Pump:
It features a built-in drain pump that can pump the stored moisture vertically or horizontally up to a combined distance of 15 feet.
Specifications
- The unit weighs 42 Pounds.
- Its overall dimensions are 12 x 15 x 23.2 inches.
- The moisture capacity of the unit’s container is 16.2 Pints.
- It can remove up to 70 Pints moisture every day.
Pros
- It can cover large areas.
- It features a built-in drain pump.
- Continuous drainage is possible.
- It is energy star certified.
Cons
- The fan can be loud.
Why buy this dehumidifier?
The dehumidifier offers you a lot of drainage options and can cover large areas with ease. It can be noisy but is ideal for basements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do I get my dehumidifier to drain through the hose?
Hook a hose up the dehumidifier, then run the pipe upto the drain; this allows the water to be continuously removed from the device and down the drain. The hose must be placed on a decline to the drain. Ensure that the drain hose is not placed above the drain fitting.
Q. Why won’t my dehumidifier drain through the hose?
If your dehumidifier is not draining properly through the hose, we recommend that you thoroughly inspect the drain setup/options outlined in the device’s usual manual.
Some general instructions are listed below:
Ensure you have a good connection where the garden hose attaches, and a rubber washer installed correctly at the garden hose’s end. A loose or bad connection may lead the unit leaking into the bucket and hose simultaneously or not draining at all. If there is a loose connection, tighten with pliers.
If the hose is routed into a drain or a sink, ensure that the hose end does not rest in standing water, it is not pushed in too far. If the hose is touching the water, it will prevent efficient drainage due to the standing water pressure. Adjust the hose end positioning accordingly.
Make sure the drain hose is routed downward. If the drain line is mounted at a steep angle below, less material will accumulate in the hose and drain. This drain setup relies on gravity to drain efficiently. Ensure that the drain hose is free from bends, clogs, or any other damage that may prevent water from flowing freely.
When the dehumidifier water container is full, the unit will not operate regardless of the draining method.
Q. Can you use a garden hose for a dehumidifier?
Most dehumidifiers come with a small, threaded hole, approximately an inch or smaller, to attach the hose. Some dehumidifiers come with a fitting or adapter, most commonly a 5/8 inch opening, which will fit most standard garden hoses. It can be used to drain away from the collected moisture by taking one end of the garden hose and connecting it onto the dehumidifier’s drain fitting. You can direct the hose towards the drain, sump pump, or HVAC drainage line.
You can also use a PVC pipe in place of a garden hose. Cut and dry-fit the PVC pipe to the garden hose adapter. You can make a 90-degree angle towards the ground and another 90-degree bend at ground level to funnel the water into the drain. Once you are convinced with the working of the drainage arrangement, glue the piping together. While using PVC pipe and glue requires trial and error, these items are affordable and easy to apply.
Q. Do all Dehumidifiers Have Hoses?
Generally, dehumidifiers with built-in condensate pumps come with a hose. For dehumidifiers without a pump, a generic garden or household hose would work fine. Please ensure that the hose leading to the drain is placed below a floor drain or other location below the drain port.
Dehumidifiers with pump