Dehumidifier installed in crawlspace Aprilair

This is the Aprilair 1350 dehumidifier

[@robert1340]

I installed my new Aprilaire 1850 dehumidifier on Sunday in my 92%RH crawl space. By Tuesday the RH was down to 48.5%. I set the humidistat on 40% when I first turned it on. Now I have it set on 50%. My crawl space is 1,350 square feet. The 1850 can dehumidify crawl spaces up to around 5,000 square feet.

[@johnagsmith2364]

Very nice, mine has been working great. Only thing thst happened is i had a power outage. And it didn't restart after didn't realize for a couple weeks. So something to keep in mind.

[@gspriggs]

where did you place it? near the crawl space opening?

[@1ronhall]

Friend, after two years, are you “happy” with your install? Is it performing as you desired? Best of continued success!!

[@raydionne8510]

The control on top of unit can be repositioned to the front for better viewing/ pump has built in check valve.

[@TheGuyOutdoors1]

Thats a great unit, some 6 mil plastic should help with keeping it working to much and burning out over time.

[@understructurerepair7132]

Most pumps have got Plenty of push. Water will stay in the hose at all times. Lowe’s has algaecide for $12. Set it on your shelf and pour a cap full once a year. The bottle will last for ten years. The dehumidifier is absolutely the best in the market. Period. I have 177 out there starting 4+ years ago. Not a single issue

[@ANTONIO369077]

Best thing about the video is not the unit, is the fact your princess helped you. I love engaging my princesses to help me around the house. Quick question, how much was the unit? From what I heard the unit is quiet correct?

[@maxmanx1294]

It was probably around $1,800 for the unit alone. But some add on items like the remote controller, extra filter, condensation pump, ducts, pad for unit, etc. Duct collars are included along with a good length of condensation line.

[@ThatEMOguy74]

I'll put an alarm on that pump in case it stops working because they like to go bad relatively quickly

[@ncvman]

Nice job. Is that condensation pump needed? If you had a down angle to the outside would that be sufficient? Would you instead attach a pvc pipe with a P trap?

[@johnagsmith2364]

The pump is only needed if pumping up and out. If your drain is below unit it will just drain out no pump required.

[@fanman1981]

I’m in the same boat as you wet crawlspace.. ? Did you install yours center of your crawlspace?..would a condensate pump be necessary if draining to a sump pump pit? And may ask where you purchased..

[@johnagsmith2364]

Sorry that you are having problems. I found best price online. I'm sorry i dont remember vendors name. No you wont need pump if you can drain into sump pump. Mine is close to center as possible. One thing when ordering i had a choice to hard wire or standard plug in type. I did standard plug since i had outlet available in my crawlspace space. Hope this helps.

[@MrBritrider]

I have to do the same thing as you. Your video was my introduction into crawl space dehumidification. Questions for you, did you have to run any ductwork out? I see that there are duct kits for this unit. Also, is the pump you hooked up from the company that sold you your unit? Or did you buy it from some where else. Did you purchase some sort of remote control device that keeps you informed what is going on under there or do you just install and let her rip.
Thank you sir.

[@johnagsmith2364]

I bought both from same company. I did buy inexpensive wireless unit to track humidity and temperature in crawlspace. Main thing i did was seal up all access so no outside air could get in to crawlspace. I didn't add ductwork to unit. I have rather large crawlspace and has improved it dramatically. Hope that helps some. I will try and do up date on it.

[@bobingalls4643]

which sub pump is that and where did you get it?

[@stangssoftwash]

Can you run the drain straight out of the foundation? What would make you want to get a pump instead of it freely running out?
Thanks!

[@omarmarquez2976]

Will this dehumidifier work in a basement that has rooms instead of a crawl space ?

[@rg689]

Nice video thanks. We bought this house 18 months ago and finally went down to our encapsulated crawl space and found this unit sitting there and turned off. My question is should it be connected to ductwork? I see your isn’t so I’m hoping I don’t need to. 🤞

[@AdamSmith-ve7qb]

You don’t need to. The paperwork says it will run more quietly with some duct work but it is not needed.

[@maxmanx1294]

The idea behind the duct work is some crawl spaces are divided into sections with stem walls. The stem walls may restrict air flow throughout the crawl space. So some run duct work past the stem walls into the other crawl space sections. When using duct work, RESIDENTS (not necessarily installers) must be mindful that if they or companies they hire need to access the ducted sections, the ducting may be the only passage to the sections & they are now blocked. Someone may damage the duct work to pass thru or someone like a home inspector may say the area is unviewable & skip that part of the inspection. On the other hand, I've heard people say that the properly sized AprilAire or other good units will dehumidify fine without the ducts.

[@tommywilliams6863]

Please elaborate on the drain system. What model pump did you purchase or was it an add on option from the supplier? Where does the water ultimately drain too? Thanks!

[@lightningfisher8177]

they sell condensate pumps for $50 home depot and the condensate runs thru the 1/2 in line you see in video outside of your crawl space thru concrete .wood, cinder blockand then lets say 4ft beyound crawlspace with 1/2 in line to drain outside crawl space.

[@willbumgarner9936]

If you install a quality vapor barrier that unit won’t have to work as hard.

[@PeterDraggin]

Is it loud or does it work quietly?

[@johnagsmith2364]

It runs pretty quietly. I can't hear in my house. Only when in crawlspace.

[@nicklewis604]

Did you ever add a vapor barrier or has it solved the problem without adding it? Thanks

[@johnagsmith2364]

For mine it has improved a lot. I had planned to add one. If you go back on my other videos i added underground drainage off my down spouts which was first step. Then sealing all my opening outside widow/vents to crawlspace. At this time i dont plan to add vapor barrier. I'm now in process of sealing all the joist on outside walls using foam board and sealant. If i see need i may do one later. But for now im satisfied with improvement of area. Good luck.

[@snewy1]

Thanks for the quick reply I think that's the approach I plan to start with

[@willfinley9553]

@@johnagsmith2364 Thanks for the video John. Where are you located / what climate are you in? I've always heard that you need to let the crawl space breathe. I'm in TX so it's always humid. Does closing the vents help in areas with high humidity?

[@maxmanx1294]

​@@willfinley9553 A long time ago it was believed that crawl spaces could "breathe" via vents. In reality, humidity is trapped in there & thru the stack effect enters your home. Further, the temperature difference between crawl space & interior causes condensation on your wood (joists, mud sill, subfloor, underlayment, studs, etc). That can lead to mold, rot, WDOs, etc. Also, the high humidity causes insulation to hang / fall from crawl space joists. Now no one builds open / vented crawl spaces. They're treated as indoor spaces as they should because 50% of our indoor air comes from the crawl space. Nonetheless, to keep humidity out, sealed & overlapped 6 mil min vapor barrier covers entire floor, up stem walls & posts, but leaving a state-specific termite inspection gap at the top. In this set up, the crawl space air is always conditioned. People retrofit to add dehumidifiers by filling vents with 4" rigid foam & filling edges with spray foam & the vapor barrier is installed as described above. Look for videos about crawl space encapsulation. Hope this helps!

[@ianr1557]

Nice, where is your pump sending it to? I've got to get one of these but still have to figure out the pump situation... I don't want to have to set up a sump pump of I don't have to

[@maxmanx1294]

Drain the water outside at least six feet from your home. If your unit sits higher than your access to the outdoors & discharge location, you shouldn't need the condensation pump. You can increase or decrease the length of your discharge line.

[@eugeniustheodidactus8890]

good to see.... i need to install a 1830 model next week

[@maxmanx1294]

Do tell! Did you? How did it go?

[@eugeniustheodidactus8890]

@@maxmanx1294 It's been working well for the past three years, despite having nothing to control air infiltration other than closing half of the air vents. But 50% is easily achieved.
I am in north central NC.

[@maxmanx1294]

@@eugeniustheodidactus8890 I'm near Charlotte. My dehumidifier was just delivered. Its heavy! I should have mine installed tomorrow. 😊 I bought a fan, too. I intend to have my vents closed & sealed this weekend except for the one for the fan. The wireless dehumidifier controls are out of stock, so for the moment I'll install my unit near the crawl space door. My crawl space is so tight that I call it a slither space.

[@gspriggs]

where did you place the humidifier? does it matter where it’s placed in crawl space?

[@johnagsmith2364]

I installed close to center of crawlspace. But had to make sure power was available along with drainage for pump.

[@gspriggs]

@@johnagsmith2364 ty john

[@gspriggs]

@@johnagsmith2364 do you have the exhaust hooked to a vent or just letting it flow in the crawl space?

[@nat.serrano]

What to do if you cannot access the crawl space? (Too small)

[@maxmanx1294]

Could you cut an opening in your floor such as in a closet between joist? If so, perhaps you could set the unit in the crawlspace from above? You'd still need to level the unit, have a place to plug it in for power, use the hose to discharge the water, and control the unit. You could get a wireless control. Yet, you'd still need to perform filter maintenance every 6 months. Some homes have a covered hole in the floor as the only entry to the crawlspace. Another idea is IF your garage is attached to your home, create an opening to the crawlspace from it at the bottom of the wall. Keep unit in garage close to opening , use ductwork inside crawlspace, build a sealed box around crawlspace with access for maintenance. Best wishes - that is a tough situation. I hope you have a properly installed vapor barrier.

[@dschafer6634]

How is it working for you and what state do you live in? I’m in Kansas, climate zone 5.

[@johnagsmith2364]

It has been working perfect. I'm in same area. Was just in crawlspace yesterday heard it running and all still dry.

[@desmorider747]

The model number should be 1850. How is it working for you? Are your foundation vents sealed?

[@johnagsmith2364]

I did check about week into it running. The level went from 76% down to 60% so has reduced humidity in crawlspace. I have 3 opening . Each I have closed off but are not permanently sealed. Along with that I installed better drainage for my downspouts. I did few videos on that. Doing that helped keep water from getting in to space. Along with keeping gutters clear. I do plan to do more in future to help reduce problems in that area. Hope that helps .

[@bptraveler6608]

What make and model of pump did you use?

[@johnagsmith2364]

www.sylvane.com/aprilaire-low-profile-condensate-pump-4856.html?s_cid=cse_gpl&gclid=Cj0KCQjwwOz6BRCgARIsAKEG4FVSOPo1f39cjc590ephKoFlTzLNAU1zKzFXFPnjLbCV7DbRI54_eLsaAlQGEALw_wcB

[@johnagsmith2364]

I believe same pump. I bought mine as package deal.

[@jimduffenais3996]

The 5 year warranty may be voided because you diy installed...just a heads up

[@TheShadeManGuitar]

That's illegal in the US for companies to do