Top Questions: Crawl Space Dehumidifiers In Raleigh, Nc

The purpose of a crawl space dehumidifier is to remove moisture from the air under your home. A dehumidifier will help to keep your crawl space dry and free of health hazards such as mold and mildew. It can also reduce or eliminate many foul odors in the home that become more potent with high humidity levels.

The cost to install a dehumidifier varies from job to job. Many factors come into play when determining the labor hours needed to install a dehumidifier under your home. Below is a list of a few factors.

• Overall size of the crawl space
• The height of the crawl space
• The type of installation needed
• The location where the dehumidifier will be installed
• If a dedicated GFCI electrical outlet is needed

• WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF INSTALLING A CRAWL SPACE DEHUMIDIFIER?

  Having a dehumidifier installed in your crawlspace has many benefits. See a few of them listed below.

  • Prevent Mold Growth
  • Prevent Wood Rot
  • Reduce Foul Odors
  • Lower Energy Cost
  • Improve Indoor Air Quality

  • IS INSTALLING A CRAWL SPACE DEHUMIDIFIER WORTH THE INVESTMENT?

    Investing in a crawl space dehumidifier is definitely worth the investment. But make sure it is a dehumidifier designed for crawl spaces specifically. A dehumidifier installed underneath your home will reduce humidity, stop wood rot from damaging your floor joist and support beams, protect your HVAC system, and improve indoor air quality.

    WHAT PROBLEMS CAN BE CAUSED BY NOT HAVING A CRAWL SPACE DEHUMIDIFIER?

    Without a dehumidifier in your crawl space, your home’s foundation is susceptible to moisture damage. This moisture enters the air space under your home through the foundation vents, penetrations in the foundation, and from the soil due to evaporation. When this happens, the humidity rises to levels supporting microbial growth, such as mold and wood decay fungi that eat the cellulose material, such as the wood framing under your home. Mold spores are released and can travel into the living spaces causing health issues in specific individuals.

    • HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO INSTALL A DEHUMIDIFIER IN A CRAWL SPACE?

      Installing a dehumidifier takes a few hours in most cases. A few things determine the amount of time it takes. See a short list of these factors below.

      • Size of the crawl space
      • Height to be able to move around
      • Power required
      • Installation location
      • Type of dehumidifier
      • Type of installation

       

    OUR PROCESS: CRAWL SPACE DEHUMIDIFIER INSTALLATION IN RALEIGH, NC

    Below we will break down our process for installing a typical crawl space dehumidifier here in Raleigh, NC. If you still have questions, please reach out to us so we can answer them.

    • STEP 1 – MEASURE THE CRAWL SPACE

      The crawl space length, width, and height must be calculated to determine the proper size of a crawl space dehumidifier.

      STEP 2 – DETERMINE DEHUMIDIFIER SIZE

      The cubic air space under your home will be calculated and compared to the specifications of different models of dehumidifiers. Then we can determine which dehumidifier best controls the humidity levels beneath your home.

      • STEP 3 – DETERMINE DEHUMIDIFIER LOCATION

        The location of the dehumidifier is determined after all measurements are taken, and an onsite inspection has been completed. The assessment will help us consider the crawl space’s layout, if and where any GFCI outlets exist, and other factors that may play a role in determining the optimal placement of your dehumidifier.

        STEP 4 – GET DEDICATED GFCI OUTLET INSTALLED

        Building codes require that dehumidifier is installed on a dedicated GFCI outlet. If you do not have one installed, you can contact a local electrician to install one before the dehumidifier installation date.

        STEP 5 – INSTALL DEHUMIDIFIER ON STANDS OR HANG

        Depending on the height of your crawl space and the potential for flooding, a dehumidifier may be hung from the floor joists or installed on the ground on risers to keep it away from the soil.

        • STEP 6 – SET DEHUMIDIFIER TO PROPER SETTINGS

          All crawl space dehumidifiers should be set below 50% RH. Mold growth occurs at 60% RH and above, and dust mites that cause allergies thrive over 50% RH. Make sure to leave the dehumidifier on this setting all year long.