If you live in a humid region, you probably know that all the moisture in the air makes it feel a lot hotter than it really is, and you know how good coming inside into air conditioning can feel! However, that cool feeling can trick us into thinking that we’ve escaped the humidity. Air conditioners do indeed reduce the moisture level in the air. Unfortunately, they don’t lower it by much.
When the air inside your home is humid, it leads to increased mold and mildew. Indoor humidity can also increase the rate of respiratory infections. So, it is important to keep inside moisture levels to a manageable level. One of the easiest and most effective methods is using a dehumidifier. These appliances take the extra water out of the air, making your home more comfortable and making it much harder for mold, mildew, and dust mites to thrive.
70-Pint vs. 50-Pint Dehumidifiers
Dehumidifiers come in all shapes and sizes, like 30, 50, or 70 pints. Most customers compare the pros and cons of 50 and 70 pints, so we focus on the differences between these two sizes below.
First, it is important to understand that 50 or 70 pints is not how much water the dehumidifier holds but how much it removes during one cycle. So, a 50-pint dehumidifier can take 50 pints of water from the area it covers per cycle.
Efficiency
A 70-pint dehumidifier model can remove 70 pints of water from an area over one cycle. Because 70-pint dehumidifiers are designed to take more moisture from the air, they usually are more powerful (and faster) than a 50-pint model. Due to this higher efficiency, you may not need to have a 70-pint unit run as long as a 50-pint unit.
Energy Consumption
The math of comparing energy consumption between a 50 and 70-pint dehumidifier can get tricky. Since a 70-pint unit may run less time than a 50-pint unit, it may consume less energy. On the other hand, since it works quicker, it actually uses more energy. Accurate comparisons come down to how specific models are designed and the amount of moisture they are dealing with. Most units are designed to be as efficient as possible with various functions, including automatic shut off modes and varied setting levels.
If you place a 50-pint model in an equally sized large room as a 70-pint model with equal moisture levels, the 70-pint will finish removing the moisture first. But if you put a 50-pint and 70-pint in equally sized small rooms, the 70-pint unit would waste more energy lowering the humidity.
Price
In general, 70-pint models are more expensive than 50-pint models. This makes sense as they are larger and usually come with more modes and setting options. However, the price can vary greatly depending on the brand and its level of use.
Built-In Pump vs. Condensate Pump
70-pint dehumidifiers can be generally divided into two types. Those with built-in pumps are designed to constantly draw moisture from the area. These need to be located close to a vent or drain so the water has a place to go. If the outlet is simply exposed to the room, the water vapor that has been removed will re-enter the air in the room.
Dehumidifiers without built-in pumps work via condensation collection. These types have a collection bucket that collects the moisture as liquid water. They have to be emptied every so often to avoid overflowing. Many of these types of dehumidifiers have the option of attaching a gravity-fed hose which can constantly drain the collection bucket.
Isn’t It Easier with a Built-In Pump?
Why not just pick a dehumidifier with a built-in pump? It’s true that a built-in pump will keep you from having to empty your unit. But these models are usually more expensive and not as energy efficient as a unit without a pump. Plus, since there are more moving parts, they are not as reliable as non-pump models.
Finding the Best 70-Pint Dehumidifier for You
Finding the right appliance can be daunting. So, we have put together a comprehensive guide to help you discover which 70-pint dehumidifier is right for meeting your needs.
Size
Getting the right size model is the first crucial step. Since we know we need a 70-pint unit, we can focus on those for now. But 70-pint dehumidifiers come in different sizes. Most units can be pretty bulky, but you can find smaller, more compact models. You need to consider where you will place the dehumidifier and if a specific unit will fit there. Another consideration is how well a unit will blend in with the decor. A model destined for the living room will probably be different than one you’d want for your basement.
Portability
Due to the large size of most 70-pint dehumidifiers, picking them up can be hard. So most, but not all, come with wheels. Depending on your ability, you will want to look for these models. If you are able, you can probably use the handles that come on most models as well.
Features
Many newer dehumidifier models come with a number of features designed for convenience and safety. Here are some of the more common ones you will encounter:
Humidistat or hydrostat: This type of sensor measures the relative humidity in a room. This sensor then tells the unit to adjust fan speed or condenser temperature. These are great features since they let you set the exact humidity level.
Auto-restart: If you happen to lose power, this feature allows your dehumidifier to remember your settings and restore them when the power comes back on.
Auto-shutoff: When the reservoir gets too full, it can overflow if you don’t empty it in time. The auto-shutoff feature turns the dehumidifier off until you can empty the tank.
Full tank alert: Since the design of most dehumidifiers keeps you from seeing how much water is in the tank, this feature lets you know how much water you have and when the tank needs to be emptied.
Clean filter alert: Dehumidifiers have filters that trap large dust particles and other pollutants that could clog the part of the unit that removes the water. These filters need to be cleared periodically so you can keep your dehumidifier running efficiently. Some units come with a clean filter indicator which tells you when it’s time to clean the filter.
Defrost: The heart of a dehumidifier are the coils that cool the air, causing moisture to condense. Sometimes these coils can freeze due to a clogged air filter or low coolant levels. If they do freeze, it can destroy your unit. Operating a dehumidifier in cold areas can also cause these coils to freeze up. A defrost function can quickly melt the ice forming on the coils, preventing this. Not many units have this feature
Ease of Use
Some units are easier to use than others. Many come with LED displays which can be great for seeing information. But some can be overly complex to operate. Make sure you take this into account before purchasing a unit.
Emptying the reservoir on a unit can also be easier on some units than others. Pulling out a tank can cause spills, or it can be hard to reinsert the tank when it’s empty. If you can, try out a floor model before buying one to take home.
While you are at it, check to see how easy it is to remove and replace the dehumidifier filter. Most units make this pretty easy to do.
Reservoir Capacity
How much water your dehumidifier can hold is also an important factor. How often you have to empty it makes a big difference on ease of use. A common size is usually around 1.5 gallons, with bigger units having up to a 2.5-gallon capacity.
Best 70-Pint Dehumidifiers
Our expert team has researched the most popular dehumidifiers on the market and have described their pros and cons for you below:
Keystone High-Efficiency 70-Pint Dehumidifier
Best Features
The Keystone 70-pint dehumidifier is very popular among homeowners. It can cover a large area and has a very large water tank that keeps you from frequently emptying it. The Keystone comes with several helpful features like full bucket alert, water level indicator, and auto-restart.
Thanks to four caster wheels, you can move it around easily. The filter is easy to remove and clean. Finally, the Keystone High-Efficiency 70-Pint Dehumidifier is fairly affordable.
Why We Love It
Excellent for Large Areas
This dehumidifier can handle a very large area of 4,500 square feet. It has three settings: normal, turbo, and auto-defrost.
Smart Features
This model comes with a 24-hour timer, a full bucket alert, auto-shutoff, LED display, water level indicator, and an auto-restart feature in case of a power outage.
Cleanable Filter
As dehumidifiers take in air and remove moisture, they also take in dust and other pollutants. The Keystone model lets you remove and clean the filter. The filter alert lets you know when you need to do this.
Continuous Draining Option
The Keystone has a 1.6-gallon water tank and gives you the option of connecting a hose for continuous drainage. This means you can run the unit continuously without worrying about emptying the tank.
This makes it a great option for an area where you would want it to run 24 hours, like a basement.
Keep In Mind
Bucket Tricky to Remove and Reinsert
Many customers have stated that the bucket can be a little tricky to remove and reinsert into the unit.
Colzer 70-Pint Portable Dehumidifier
Best Portable 70-Pint Dehumidifier
The Colzer is our top pick for a highly portable dehumidifier. It has an attractive design that does not clash as much with home decor as other units we’ve looked at.
This model comes with multiple options and settings to boost efficiency and ease of use. You can also utilize a hose for continuous draining.
Why We Love It
Two Optional Modes
The Colzer has two modes; one as a normal dehumidifier and one as a ‘clothes dryer.’ The dry-clothes mode allows you to use this model to dry clothes in a small room.
Intelligent Control Panel
Thanks to the LED display, you can accurately control moisture levels in your home. You can set your ideal level and adjust the fan speed, as well as set a 24-hour timer.
Washable Filter
The filter is washable, so you don’t have to buy a new one every time the filter gets dirty enough to change.
Automatic Drainage
The tank alert will let you know when it is almost full. You can also use the included 6.6 ft hose to drain the unit continuously.
Portable and Compact
As mentioned above, this model is slimmer and more mobile than many of the other units we’ve seen. Its tall design lets you place it in numerous places, and thanks to its four wheels, you can move it between rooms easily.
Keep in Mind
Noisy
Even though this model is very effective, some customers have complained about rattling sounds.
Ivation 70 Pint Large-Capacity Dehumidifier
Best Energy-Saving 70-Pint Dehumidifier
The Ivation 70-pint can dehumidify a large area in a short amount of time, all while saving energy. Its large reservoir can hold most of the water it removes during the day, but you can also hook up an optional hose for continuous drainage.
Why We Love It
Compact
This model is slim compared to many of its contemporaries. Its compact 40 pounds can be placed almost anywhere. To get it where you want it, you can roll it on its caster wheels.
Suitable for Large Rooms
The Ivation 70-pint can cycle through 4,500 square feet on one of two fans speeds.
The LCD interface allows you to easily control the unit’s humidistat and 24-hour timer.
Improves Air Quality
Ivation included an innovative filtration and evaporation system in this dehumidifier. This system does better than most models at filtering air pollutants such as mold, mildew, and dust.
Eco-Friendly
The Ivation 70-pint dehumidifier comes with several “green” features, including an auto-shutoff, a timer, and a reusable filter.
Optional Hose
The Ivation 70-pint has a 1.3-gallon reservoir as well as an optional hose for continuous drainage.
Keep In Mind
Doesn’t Last
Despite great performance in the beginning, many customers reported that their units quit working after six months.
Ivation 70-Pint Energy-Star Dehumidifier
Best Reservoir Capacity
If you live in a high-humidity area, this dehumidifier is an excellent choice. Its two fan speeds are more than adequate to remove moisture from the air. It comes with full tank and filter cleaning alerts. The filter is reusable and is easily removed and cleaned.
It does weigh a good bit, but it comes with large wheels that allow you to move it easily. The six-foot-long power cord gives you plenty of freedom to put it where you want it.
Why We Love It
Large Water Reservoir
With a 2.25-gallon reservoir, this model can hold a lot of water compared to other models. You can go for longer periods of time without having to empty it.
Easy to Operate
Like the other Ivation model we’ve reviewed, the Ivation 70-Pint Energy-Star has an LCD display that allows you to easily set fan speeds, desired moisture levels, and a 24-hour timer. The unit will notify when the filter needs to be cleaned or when the tank needs to be emptied.
Creates a Comfortable Environment
This model will effectively take out 70 pints of water from the air a day and helps prevent mold growth.
Easy to Move Around
Coming in at 45 pounds, this is not a light appliance, but you can move it around on its four large swivel wheels.
Keep In Mind
Requires Frequent Emptying
This is a very effective dehumidifier, but you could find yourself emptying the reservoir multiple times a day.
Maintaining a 70-Pint Dehumidifier
Like any appliance, a dehumidifier requires a little work to keep it functioning effectively. Ironically, these devices can become homes for mold and mildew even as they work to keep mold from growing in your house. Dehumidifiers should be cleaned regularly, including the water bucket. This can be done with normal dish soap. The filter will need to be either cleaned (if reusable) or replaced with a new one.
Keep in Mind
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions to clean filters correctly. Trying to wash and use a non-reusable filter again can damage your dehumidifier. A washable filter must be completely dry before replacing it into the unit.
FAQs
Will a Dehumidifier Remove Mold?
No, a dehumidifier can’t kill or get rid of mold or mildew. Still, it can limit or even prevent further growth by keeping the environment ‘unfriendly’ for mold.
The Center for Disease Control recommends you keep the humidity in your home lower than 50 percent to keep mold at a minimum. Most dehumidifiers can reduce moisture to humidity levels between 30 and 40 percent.
Take Note
If you have mold or mildew in your home, you need a professional’s help to remove it. Lowering the humidity in your home can slow or even stop the growth of mold. Unfortunately, it can also cause mold to launch spores into the air in search of a better place to grow. Mold causes serious respiratory problems, so anything you can do to reduce it is important.
Where Should I Place My Dehumidifier?
You can place a dehumidifier anywhere in your home that has high humidity. Many folks buy a dehumidifier for their basement, but others use them in living spaces.
Creating a Comfortable Living
If you live in a humid climate, dehumidifiers can really make your home more comfortable and safer. High indoor moisture levels can lead to respiratory problems from mold and mildew growth. By lowering the humidity, you reduce the environment in which mildew and mold thrive, increase your comfort level, and make your air conditioning more effective.
There are many 70-pint dehumidifiers on the market, so selecting the right one for you can be tricky. By considering the characteristics we’ve discussed above, you can rest assured that you will find the model that will work best for your needs.