We purchased this unit for our relatively damp basement. The pump was the primary selling point as our last unit was gravity fed and had to be elevated off the ground in order to drain into the laundry tub. We've been running it for over a month with good results and the pump works well.
The other reviewer commented on how the unit heated up his/her basement, but this has not been our experience. Drier air simply feels warmer than damp air. I'd recommend this unit to anybody who wants a unit with a pump, otherwise a cheaper model would work just as well. DeLonghi DD50P 50 Pt. Energy Star Dehumidifier with Patented Pump
We have used this dehumidifier for over a month to recover from a flooded basement. After removing the standing water, we were left with carpets and padding that were soaked thru, and humidity high enough to cause perspiration if you went down there. The unit was positioned in the TV room and I ran the long vinyl hose to the sink in the laundry room. The controls are easy, set it to pump, then set the desired humidity to --- which essentially means the unit will run continuously. It took perhaps a week+ to drive the humidity below 50% given the extensive carpeting and the padding lying underneath. We did not move furniture or turn up the carpets so dehumidifying maybe took longer than it might of. But once the humidity dropped below 50% it went to 40% in another day and to 30% the day after that. We did not do bucket brigade because all the water was automatically pumped into the laundry sink. After leaving the unit off for a day the humidity in the basement crept back up to 50% or so, probably because the carpeting was still giving off moisture from underneath. So I would turn the unit on and in one day it would be back to 30% again. This was repeated a few times. The basement has now stabilized to its normal levels and things seem well. Mold has apparently not set in anywhere, and we don't detect any obvious odors after 3 months. Reasonably fast, very effective, and easy to use gets the stars. Our single experience (running it day and night for 2 weeks and intermittently after) does not evaluate its durability. But we feel we've recovered the cost already, having essentially salvaged our basement property.
I have purchased this unit over a month ago, actually 2 of them and there perfect and really outperformed their clam. As a matter of fact, I'm going to purchase another. Trouble-free so far and I would recommend this unit to anyone as it has a built-in pump that removes the water upward if needed and I never have to worry about emptying the container as this unit has a hose (that comes with the unit) to travel into a cellar sub-pump system. Carl from Trumbull, Ct.
After four good years of service, my old Soleus Air CFM-40 40-Pint Dehumidifier with Humidistat (see my review of this model also) up and unexpectedly died on me. Searching for a replacement, I happened across this unit at a local store in Michigan. A bit larger than I really needed, but the extra capacity will come in handy when it is really humid outside. After 48 hours of use, I can tell you my experiences thus far:
Good:
* High power blower motor really moves the air around in my basement.
* The compressor is quiet when running.
* Digital display for outside unit air temp, compressor coil running temp and set humidity level in percentage.
* Programmable humidity level - 30% to 80% in 5% increments and on continuously regardless of humidity.
* Timer function - 24 hour run time is broken down as follows:
1) 0 to 10 hours -- 30 minute increments
2) 10 to 24 hours -- 1 hour increments
* 3 ways to collect and dispose of the water:
1) by holding tank -- about 1.75 gallon with an internal handle that folds down inside the unit.
2) by larger diameter hose connection out the back - gravity drain.
3) Small electric pump inside the dehumidifier to a 3/8" drain hose (included).
* When the holding tank is full, unit has an automatic shut-off feature so as not to overflow.
* Automatic defrost feature -- starts working when the air temperature is below 59 degrees.
* CFC free - this unit uses R410A, not the older R22 or what the Soleus used - R134A (automotive refrigerant).
* Energy Star rated.
* 6 foot power cord.
* Over one 16 hour run @ 67degrees air temp, I pulled out 12 pints of water.
* Warranty - 1 year parts & labor and 5 year parts only on the compressor and related components.
Bad:
* Blower has only two speeds - low and high.
* Blower on high is loud and on low is only slightly quieter.
* Blower output is fixed - straight up. You cannot redirect the output in another direction.
* Difficult to see water level on the holding tank w/o using a flash light.
* When the collection bucket is removed, excess water from the condenser continues to come out and onto the floor.
* This unit uses 675 watts/hour when operating on high (the Soleus used 400 watts/hour).
* Extended warranty is for 2 additional years @ $85.00 covering labor. That is just about 1/2 the price of a new one.
Others have complained that this unit runs hot. Having run this unit for 48 hours straight, in 67 degree ambient air temperature, I do not detect this at all. The housing is cool to the touch. The air discharge is cool. If your dehumidifier is running hot, have it repaired under warranty. I don't see it with mine at all.
The display panel shows Relative Humidity (RH) when this dehumidifier is in operation. If you press the temperature button, this unit displays the ambient temperature in Fahrenheit degrees, then Celsius degrees. Left alone after that, the unit defaults back to ambient RH in percent format.
Setting the RH level, like 50%, this unit kicks the compressor in at 54% RH and off at 46% RH.
In all, for my use in my basement, which is 1,300 Sq. Ft., this unit fills the bill. Granted it is premature to say how long this unit will last. I didn't expect the last to give out in just four years of seasonal use. If something happens, I will supplement this review accordingly. Thus far, I recommend this dehumidifier if you can handle the fan noise.
*****
6/12/2011 - Update -- runs fine, except:
One problem has popped up. My dehumidifier and the plugged GFCI outlet do NOT play nice together. Over a matter of a few hours, the GFCI trips and the unit shuts down. When the GFCI is reset, it works fine again for a few more hours. The past two dehumidifier didn't do this, so I wonder if there is a small internal short that is causing this problem.
I highly recommend using the built-in pump provision for emptying the holding tank. Running the hose to a near by drain, it is literately a "set and forget" operation. I check the tank from time-to-time, only a small amount of water remains in the bottom of the holding tank when in operation. My water dripping issue on the floor is gone. A much better option than using the drain pan that has to be emptied twice a day on humid days. - Dehumidifier Review - Delonghi'
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