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Best Dehumidifier for Crawl Space Encapsulation

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Are you working to improve your crawl space humidity? If you are searching for the best crawl space dehumidifier for encapsulation we have some tips to help you decide. In this article, we will cover topics like:

  • Do I Need a Dehumidifier in my Crawl Space
  • Proper Size Dehumidifier for a Crawl Space
  • What Pints per DAY (PPD) Should My Dehumidifier Process
  • Properly Sizing the Dehumidifier to My Crawl Space
  • What will Make the Dehumidifier Run All the Time

Should I Install a Dehumidifier in My Crawl Space?

Many homeowners believe that crawl space encapsulation alone will control humidity. Crawl space vapor barrier, french drains, and sump pumps are needed to control humidity. But the crawl space dehumidifier is the key to making sure the humidity is kept low all year long.

The dehumidifier works like your homes heating and air conditioning thermostat. For example, the crawl space encapsulation is like your homes insulation. Insulation alone will not heat or cool your home. Plastic in the crawl space alone will not lower humidity. Crawl space dehumidifiers work with the crawl space encapsulation to keep your home dry.

Please check out the Essential Guide to Crawl Space Encapsulation for more information about making your crawl space worry free.

What Size Dehumidifier Do I Need for My Crawl Space?

There are many factors to consider when properly sizing your dehumidifier to your crawl space. If you have no intention of encapsulating your crawl space, you will need a larger capacity dehumidifier. Loose laid vapor barrier installed on the ground will help, but covering walls, pillars, and overlapping and taping is recommended.

If your crawl space is cut up by additions to the home or HVAC ducts or foundation walls, you may need several smaller capacity dehumidifiers. If your crawl space sub-floor is not properly air sealed and the dry air escapes to the living space rapidly, you will need a larger capacity dehumidifier. If the door of the crawl space is not air sealed or all the vents are open, this affects capacity too.

When Crawl Space Ninja installs a dehumidifier we consider all these factors. The Ninja Crawl Space Encapsulation System is designed to utilized the smallest dehumidifier based on size of the crawl space.

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Dehumidifiers for Under 2,000 Square Feet Crawl Spaces

A 1,000 square feet crawl space typically uses a 70-pint to 80-pint capacity dehumidifier. The Aprilaire E070 (formerly 1820) is our preferred crawl space dehumidifier for spaces smaller than 2,000 square feet. The Aprilaire E080 (formerly 1830) dehumidifier processes 10 more pints per day than the E070 and is a little quieter but the cabinet is larger.

The E080 is a good choice for high crawl spaces or basements under 2,000 square feet and the homeowner wants it a little quieter. The decibel rating difference is only 8dBa. The E070 is 53 dBa and the E080 is 45 dBa when ducted.

Dehumidifiers for Over 2,000 Square Feet Crawl Spaces

Based on the crawl space layout, the Aprilaire E100 (formerly 1850) dehumidifier is a great choice for larger crawl spaces. We install the E100 for crawl spaces between 2,000 and 3,500 square feet. When a crawl space is larger than 3,500 square feet, multiple E070 is a better way to go for us.

The reason behind going to multiple dehumidifiers over 3,500 square feet is simple. Large crawl spaces have big duct-work systems and other obstacles that limit air flow. Again if your crawl space is chopped up, multiple dehumidifiers may be needed even in smaller crawls paces.

When you get into massive crawl spaces and basements you have another dehumidifier option under Aprilaire. The Aprilaire E130 (formerly 1870) dehumidifier is a 130 pint per day monster. Homes with wide open crawl spaces that do not restrict air flow can use the 1870. Basements of large homes or whole home dehumidifier setups will also benefit from the Aprilaire E130.

What Next?

Do you need help with crawl space encapsulation in Alabama, Georgia, Delaware, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, or South Carolina? If so, please contact us to schedule your assessment. Also, let us know in the comments below if you'd like to suggest a future blog post.

Perhaps you'd like to tackle your own crawl space repair. Visit our DIY Store.

Contact us if you need help fixing your crawl spacebasement, or yard drainage by clicking here.

Learn about Crawl Space Ninja Franchise opportunities.

About Michael Church

Michael Church has been involved with indoor air quality since 2005 and feels the unhealthy crawl space is one of the major problems causing poor indoor air quality.

8 Comments

  1. Amber D.Smith on October 8, 2021 at 12:33 pm

    After getting information from your websites. I’m so disappointed in the contractors here in Virginia unless of course you’re capable of refinancing your house LOL. I’m 61 years old female and I’m seriously considering doing it myself after renovating half of my life. Crawlspaces are not my favorite location sometimes getting claustrophobic You cannot sit up in my space.I am grateful for all your information, but it does put one in a position of doubt when talking to contractors. They get very offended if you know the slightest bit of information.I’ll keep you posted if I attempt to do this myself I’ll try to make a video. Adventurous old lady ninja LOL

  2. James Wiggins on December 6, 2023 at 8:49 am

    What is the best way to put air into an encapsulated crawl space? Some say via HVAC, false register in living space floor, 3 inch square hole in 2 vents, exhaust fan.
    If you use a dehumidifier do you need to add any of these options?

    • Michael Church on December 7, 2023 at 3:48 pm

      We allow the natural air intrusions around the sill plate and foundation wall, leaks around the door and the soil also gives up air. As long as you have an exhaust fan, it will pull from one or all of theses areas in most cases.

  3. Luis Cisneros on February 5, 2024 at 9:58 am

    Hi I need a dehumidifier I wondering if you have any on stock than can I get it today

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