DEHUMIDIFIERS – Product Review & Recommendation
Submitted by: Lisa Brown, Newsletter Editor
We like mushrooms but only on our dinner plates and the only mold we prefer is our blue cheese on our salads. Other than that, we have no place for them elsewhere; particularly in our RV coach.
Let’s face it, MOISTURE is an RV Coach’s worst enemy. In such a small amount of time, humidity inside a camper or RV could result in potential health risks as well as create unwanted structural issues. As noted on a facebook RV group page we frequent, we read about an RV owner who posted a photo of actual mushrooms growing inside their RV merely because of a damp blanket that was left on the floor for less than 72 hours…one weekend.
RV’s and Campers are not airtight. How could they be? They are not like Tupperware containers where you can look moisture away. They are not like sticks and bricks homes that have layers upon layers of insulation and building materials. There are small access points everywhere in a camper or RV; whether it be a small cracked window seal, air gaps around plumbing pipes, slides with deficient seals, etc. Every time you open a door or window, you invite moisture inside your RV or simply by leaving windows and doors open on humid days; notoriously known in the deep south and Pacific NW states. Cooking also presents its own moisture logistics; through steam and just the presence of water even from doing dishes or running water. And then there’s the bathroom; whether running water to brush your teeth or wash your hands or the steam from the shower. Even from humans and pets breathing expels water droplets everywhere. Its all moisture and in such small confines of a camper or RV, it could potentially set the perfect atmosphere to ‘grow things’; creating its own greenhouse effect.
One way to eliminate moisture in your RV is to run your coach’s Air Conditioner. But if the air temperature doesn’t dictate AC use or your electric bill is just too demanding, then you should look into purchasing small dehumidifiers.
When we think of dehumidifiers though, we think of those big, heavy clunky things we have or had in the basements of our homes. However, those are way too much and really, overkill for campers and RV’s with less square footage.
Shortly after buying our RV, we learned by others who were years ahead of us, we needed to add one or two small portable dehumidifiers to our Amazon Prime wish list which resulted in an actual purchase.
The two we recommend (because they have proven their worth to us personally) are manufactured by the same company “EVA DRY”. There are others out there however, since we have not used them, we cannot speak for their success or review.
The EVA-DRY ‘Petite’ 1100 Dehumidifier (Model #EDV1100) Whisper Technology. It has a 9V 2.5A electric input. Its virtually silent. It has an on/off switch with a power indicator light as well as an indicator light to alert when it needs emptying. We purchased it from Amazon for approximately $45 (S&H was free because we use Amazon Prime). We use this little guy in the bedroom on one of the CPAP shelves and is more than substantial for the bedroom square footage. Its perfect for small shelves or tabletops as it doesn’t take up very much space. It could be placed in a corner on the floor if preferred. We run it with the closet doors open when needed. This one is about the size of a football; very lightweight and we’ve found, on humid days, we only have to empty about every third day but it does the job required.
The Eva-Dry Electric Petite Dehumidifier uses Peltier Technology (no compressor) which makes it light and quiet. It is perfect for bathrooms, and small to mid-sized rooms where dampness and humidity are a problem. This unit is small enough to easily fit on your desk or workbench. It extracts the moisture from the air and stores it in a spill-proof reservoir. Just plug it in and it quietly dries the air. Features an automatic shut off switch to shut the unit off when the water reservoir is full. When this occurs a”full” indicator light will alert you when the reservoir needs to be emptied. Holds up to 16 oz.
The bigger dehumidifier we bought at the same time is the Eva-Dry “Mid Size” 2200 Dehumidifier (Model #EVD2200). We purchased the Mid Size for about $100 (S&H free because we used Amazon Prime). We use this dehumidifier in the main living space (kitchen/living area). This one is a tad bit taller than the Petite but of course that’s because this one facilitates a larger space. Also ‘whisper quiet’, we don’t even realize its running; it’s that quiet. We place this one on the floor out of the way beside one of the recliners. This one also requires us to empty approximately every three days.
The Eva Dry Mid-Size Dehumidifier – Eva-Dry electric mid-size dehumidifier with Peltier (no compressor) technology which makes it light and quiet. The unit draws humid air in and heats it over a warm plate inside the dehumidifier, then cools the air causing condensation which is trapped in the removable, spill-proof reservoir. Dry air is then expelled out. Features an automatic water level detector switch to indicate that the tank is full. Built in handle for portability and easy to use controls. Ideal for bathrooms, boats, campers, counter tops, and more. Works well in areas up to 2200 cubic feet. Absorbs 20.5 ounces of moisture in a 24 hour period with relative humidity of 80% at 86 degrees Fahrenheit. 9″ W x 14″ H x 7-1/2″ D. White. 1 year limited warranty. – Coverage Area: 2200 cu ft, Capacity: 20.5 oz/Day, Fan Speed: 1 Speed, Amperage Rating: 6A, Wattage Rating: 72W, Voltage Rating: 110V, Decibels: N/A, Tank Capacity: 2L, Dimensions: 8-1/2″ W x 14″ H x 6-3/4″ D.
In a nutshell, we love these! They do what they’re supposed to do. The $150 we spent for them was money well spent considering what the result could be if we didn’t have them. Seriously, we ‘can tell’ that they are working. We can literally feel the drier air when in use. While owning an RV, we will never be without them.
So, if you’re in the market of purchasing an RV, Camper or even a boat, put these on your list of ‘must haves’. The small amount of money paid now is a huge amount of money saved later. Look at these as ‘protecting your investment’.
DISCLAIMER: In writing this article, we are not compensated by Eva Dry nor Amazon for this review. These words are strictly from experience and opinion of the Editor. We will not be held liable for misuse of this article or in the event they don’t work for your individual use or situation. We recommend doing your own research and gather other reviews prior to purchase.