Dehumidifier or A/C

[TravelinFam]

Now that I’m a resident of Louisiana, it only took minutes to realize that the humidity can’t be contained by my Damp-Rid containers. I started looking at 30 to 50 pint dehumidifiers and came across a comment noting degumifiers generate a decent amount of heat. The commenter suggested that people in the south use a portable A/C unit as they draw moisture as well as pull heat out the RV, reducing the load in the installed A/C units. Was hoping some southern residents might be able to chime in on some suggestion on if they prefer dehumidifiers to A/C units. I’m spending a few months in the rig while I hunt for a house, but after that I’ll primarily be using this for travel on long weekends. A constraint I’m contemplating is where I’d run the A/C exhaust hose as well.

[A32Deuce]

Only thing with them is, they push a lot of air out. That means its pulling air from outside in. I know because we have 2 of them in the S&B. Just use them at night in the bedrooms. 1800 square ft. home is a lot bigger than an rv of any size. Just food for thought.

[MR.M]

Originally Posted by TravelinFam

Now that I’m a resident of Louisiana, it only took minutes to realize that the humidity can’t be contained by my Damp-Rid containers. I started looking at 30 to 50 pint dehumidifiers and came across a comment noting degumifiers generate a decent amount of heat. The commenter suggested that people in the south use a portable A/C unit as they draw moisture as well as pull heat out the RV, reducing the load in the installed A/C units. Was hoping some southern residents might be able to chime in on some suggestion on if they prefer dehumidifiers to A/C units. I’m spending a few months in the rig while I hunt for a house, but after that I’ll primarily be using this for travel on long weekends. A constraint I’m contemplating is where I’d run the A/C exhaust hose as well.

I just picked up a Whynter 11,000 btu portable AC for the garage in my Toy Hauler . it was a great buy and will dehumidify and cools very well . only $258 from home depot included shipping . since i spend the summer in MT no sales tax either got it for my winter months in Florida . it has a duel hose one for intake air and one for the heated exhaust air . so it does not heat up my unit or does it create negative pressure and pull in hot outside air from other places around the trailer . I would buy this again . it just plain works

[MR.M]

Originally Posted by A32Deuce

Only thing with them is, they push a lot of air out. That means its pulling air from outside in. I know because we have 2 of them in the S&B. Just use them at night in the bedrooms. 1800 square ft. home is a lot bigger than an rv of any size. Just food for thought.

That's why your better off with the duel hose type . pulls in air for cooling the coils from outside and exhausts the hot air out another hose . no negative pressure like the single hose type .

[A32Deuce]

Yep for use in an RV would be good. Not too worried in the house.

[TravelinFam]

Thanks for all your help. Do the portable A/C untils have a dehumidifier only mode? For instance, if I am in between trips could I run the unit without blowing cold air since I won’t be in it often? If not, is it feasible to just run it on a high temperature to pull moisture out of the air but necessarily keep it too cool? I appreciate ya’ll’s help. I’m a born and raised Texan but I’ve been living in Alaska and Washington for the last decade so this humid, hot climate has been a challenge so far.

[MR.M]

Originally Posted by TravelinFam

Thanks for all your help. Do the portable A/C untils have a dehumidifier only mode? For instance, if I am in between trips could I run the unit without blowing cold air since I won’t be in it often? If not, is it feasible to just run it on a high temperature to pull moisture out of the air but necessarily keep it too cool? I appreciate ya’ll’s help. I’m a born and raised Texan but I’ve been living in Alaska and Washington for the last decade so this humid, hot climate has been a challenge so far.

yes they have dehumidify only . they do have water collection pans in them and you can pipe the drains to dump all the time either outside or in a buckey that would need to be drained . the water has to go somewhere

[Frank DeFeo]

Live in Tampa area and have a 38’ mh. Mine is at times closed up for 4 to 6 weeks at a time. Yes, they can build up humidity quickly. I use a 30 pint dehumidifier with a drain line attached which I put behind the steps to drain outside. I keep the humidity set to 45. This is my 4th mh and been using this on my last 2. Prior I used 6 damp rids and had to change them about every 10 days. The dehumidifier is working well for me.

[rsdata]

do you also have a small floor fan on for air circulation? I point mine nearly straight up to mix the air top to bottom.

[mwdilday]

Dehumidifiers are not good. They create a lot of heat. I had one and it was pretty useless.