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[Midmod]

Hi all
Thank you for all the responses. I'm looking into all those brands. My mother doesn't have a basement. Well she has a small cellar. Her house was built in 1950 and they once heated it from oil. So the old boiler is in the cellar. I'm trying to figure out how she would empty the tank without it running her off her feet and causing stability issues since she uses a cane and lives alone. She has bathroom windows but wouldn't want them left open obviously. Neither of us has ever owned a dehumidifier so this is new to us. I think she needs new insulation in the attic combined with humid summers and it's causing a bit of dampness in the house. Thank you for all responses

[PickyPicky3]

@Midmod   I'm not sure a portable dehumidifier will make much difference in a large house. And if it has to be emptied manually.....not a good idea for someone who uses a cane.

I'm a bit concerned something else has caused this change in humidity. Attic insulation being old won't affect humidity. Are there leaks? Cracks in the foundation? Gutters clogged allowing walls to get damp? Her house needs to be inspected.

The other thing is right now there are HUGE rebates on HVAC systems. Better than ever. Installing central air will both lower the humidity and cool the house. It might be the way to go.

Don't jump to purchase a dehumidifier until you have explored other options. It's already August -- fall is around the corner.

[Midmod]

She has a 4 ton unit outside. Her contractor who just found dampness in the bathroom behind the shower thinks that the insulation in the attic isn't adequate.
I would like for her to have the ductwork moved from the crawlspace under the house to the attic but that expense combined with the new insulation will probably be an expense she won't be able to afford. She's spent a pretty penny remodeling both bathrooms.
Thanks @PickyPicky3
I haven't talked to you in quite a while 🙂

[Midmod]

Oh, I hadn't thought about the gutters. It's hard finding reliable guys to do handyman work in our area.

[PickyPicky3]

@Midmod  

Sometimes AC or water lines can sweat and need to be insulated with foam tubes. If the AC lines and ducts are in the crawlspace, the water would drip down. I'm assuming the shower is on the first floor? The contractor found dampness during the bathroom remodel? 

Any chance the house has well water? 

Depending on climate, having AC ductwork in the attic might require large amounts of insulation. 

The joy of home ownership.

[Midmod]

Yes to all questions. One floor home. The home us extremely well made, however, my mother wanted an update to the bathrooms. Every room could be lightly touched up but probably won't be because of these issues now. It's a large home as well. The former owners family built the home and are very well off. After grands who built the home passed away, next gen added cosmetic touches only and preferred to sink money into a grande barndomenium build rather than do some " unnecessary" updates on family home. It's just work that will have to be done. I have a wonderful, generous brother who is helping with the $$ aspect. Thank you for your interest and comments. Have a wonderful Wednesday

[RedTop]

Our dehumidifier is in the basement; we do not run up and down the basement steps to empty it.  The only time we check it is when the power blinks, and the unit has to be restarted.   The humidifier collection bucket has a connector port for a hose, so when the water collects, it runs thru the hose into the basement drain.