This is a new model with Energy Star certification that replaces a similar model, the FAD504DUD. Consumer Reports gave that one a very high rating. From what I can tell, the only real difference is the lower energy usage, 530 watts compared to 615 watts in the old model. This gives it an efficiency of 530*24/50=254 watt-hours per pint of water extracted from the air (lower numbers are better).
Here's how it compares to the other new models:
FAD704DWD 70 pints per day, 255 Watt-hours per pint
FAD504DWD 50 pints per day, 254 Watt-hours per pint (this one)
FAD301NWD 30 pints per day, 256 Watt-hours per pint
Here are the older models:
FAD704DUD 70 pints per day, 262 Watt-hours per pint
FAD504DUD 50 pints per day, 295 Watt-hours per pint
FAD301NUD 30 pints per day, 360 Watt-hours per pint
Consumer Reports gave the highest possible rating to the energy efficiency of the older 70-pint model, and the second highest rating to the older 50-pint model. As you can see, all of the new models beat the older 70-pint model, at least according to the manufacturer's specifications.
Here are the real world energy usage numbers:
Compressor off, fan on high: 61.0W
Compressor off, fan on low: 52.1W
Compressor on, fan on high: 446W (Frigidaire's web site says 530W)
Compressor on, fan on low: 442W
It makes a little more noise than I was expecting, but it's white noise. The fan makes more noise than the compressor, even with the fan on low. Home Depot's web site says it creates 53 dB of noise. It's quieter than an ordinary dishwasher or a box fan on high. Switching the fan to low speed doesn't make it much quieter. On high speed, it really puts out a lot of air.
The dehumidifer contains a built-in digital hygrometer (humidity sensor), which shows the humidity in 5% intervals. 5% is fine because instant-read hygrometers aren't very accurate, anyway. If you program a target humidity level, the fan turns off a few minutes after the compressor. Another reviewer claimed the fan never turns off, but it's possible that the dehumidifier was never able to reduce the humidity level to the setpoint, and so the fan (and the compressor) stayed on constantly. It would be good if it had an LED to indicate whether the compressor is on, to avoid confusion (suggestion #1).
Also, it cycles quite frequently when it's trying to control humidity to a selected value. This is what it's doing right now as I type this:
T+00:00 fan + compressor turns on
T+04:30 compressor turns off
T+09:27 fan turns off
T+10:50 fan + compressor turns back on
As you can see, it's cycling almost six times per hour. This might be good for energy efficiency and air quality, but it makes it tough to sleep with one of these in the room. I wish I could tell it to cycle less frequently, no more than 2-3 times per hour (suggestion #2). In one of the comments attached to this review is a suggestion to relocate the humidity sensor outside of the unit. Another is to use an external humidity controller, like this one, but with a higher current rating compatible with this dehumidifier.
It would also be nice for bedrooms if it ramped the fan up before turning on the compressor so it doesn't wake me up when it turns on (suggestion #3).
Because instant-readout hygrometers are notoriously inaccurate, I recommend installing a separate one in the room to serve as a "second opinion." I'm using a Caliber III Thermometer/Hygrometer. The Abbeon AB-167 is supposed to be the best hygrometer, and the Taylor 5565 is a close second, if you calibrate them properly. You might also consider a sling psychromoter, which is more accurate than an instant-read hygrometer but not as convenient.
This dehumidifier peaks at 18.94 amps, so like a blow dryer or microwave or electric heater, you may need to be careful which circuit you put it on. Suggestion #4 is to add a capacitor to reduce that startup spike.
At 65-70 degrees and about 40% relative humidity, it took 10.5 hours to pull 6.3 pints of water out of the air. That's 0.60 pints per hour. (At higher humidity levels, it seems to be much more efficient.)
When it doesn't have to work very hard, when it's cycling on and off as it controls to a selected humidity level, it seems to have a cooling effect, but in continuous mode, after a while the exhaust turns warm.
The bucket holds 16.3 pints. It has a little window that shows the water level, but the number of pints isn't marked (suggestion #5). The handle seems a little flimsy for the amount of water the bucket is expected to hold, so that ought to be strengthened (suggestion #6).
Overall, I can say it does its job and so far I'm completely satisfied with my purchase. If I had to replace it, I hope the replacement will incorporate the suggestions I've listed in this review.
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I purchased this unit from amazon 4 days ago. I even made a video because hearing is believing. First of all this unit works very well. It has filled the bucket 5 or 6 times in an air conditioned Florida home showing 53% humidity. Since we turned on this unit we are down to 44% inside humidity. The construction observed is very good (we did look at Lowe's and Home Depot units which were poorly constructed), features are good but the thing sounds like a freight train passing by. Also remember that the air coming out of the unit is warmer than the air going in 72.8 deg in and 91 deg out, another problem with the unit in the living area. A good modification would be a dual gauge showing both the setting and the room humidity level. Truth be told we will probably have to return the unit because it is just too loud for a living area. This unit would be great for a garage or basement. That is a shame because it works great, just not indoor living friendly.
Gadget
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There is misinformation floated in some of the comments. Hopefully this will clear up most of it. As an engineer type, I do more of the detail thing but hey, whatever floats your boat.NOTE: Although I own this model, this is mostly information on dehumidifiers in general. Other reviewers offer detailed specifics so no duplication needed here.
This covers 1-how it works; 2-sizing tips; 3-general tips, 4-cautions and user reflections.
HOW DEHUMIDIFIRES WORK
First, a dehumidifier is just like an air conditioner except for the location of the warm coil [technically the condenser coil]. With an A/C system the warm coil is outside the house [needs a 2nd fan], so an A/C unit has its cooling coil [technically a DX or expansion coil] inside the house [cooling it] and the heat it absorbs from the house air is transferred to the warm coil outside the house. Basically it is simple; the heat in the house is dumped outside. It's gotta go somewhere!
With a dehumidifier, the warm coil is inside, so the air cooled by the cooling coil blows across the warm coil [one fan needed]. Why? What happens? Well the cool air passing through the cool coil is warmed by the warm coil before exiting the unit.. The net result is that air discharged from the dehumidifier leaves the unit at about 100F [or about 20F warmer than room temperature]. What happens is that a dehumidifier does a better job removing moisture from the air but does not cool the house.
If you are a little confused, try this. Turn your dehumidifier off for about 5 minutes [this is important, trust me]. When you turn it on, put your hand immediately over the discharge air from the unit. You will feel cold air. As the warm air coil heats up, the discharge air changes from cold air to warm air. What you feel is how the cool coil is transferring the heat it absorbed from the incoming air to the warm coil.
Last, how humidity is reduced: When the cool coil cools the air, it lowers the air to below its "dew point". What is that? That is the temperature where the air can't hold any more water vapor. Then water begins to collect on the coil surface and drip down to the collection bucket. That is the whole story except that the efficiency of the dehumidifier decreases as the house humidity is reduced.
Forgot to mention that its ability to remove moisture from the air also drops as the humidity drops, so your bucket does not fill as often. Bottom line: It runs longer trying do the same amount of work [efficiency, get it?]
NOTE: If you try to drop the humidity too low, the reduction in efficiency will begin to show up in a warmer discharge air and longer run times. This results in the temperature of your living space increasing. Raise the dehumidifier humidity set point to correct that and do not run continuously,
WHAT SIZE IS NEEDED FOR A LIVING SPACE [NOT A BASEMENT]
Most comments concern basement applications. This is for a small house, some of which applies to larger homes. Also it assumes the house is at least 15 years old. Newer houses usually have their living space wrapped by a vapor barrier, thus protecting it from the outside. That makes a big difference in the dehumidifier size needed.
For example, my 1200sqft house is a 50 year old brick [brick seals better than wood siding]. During and after a rain if the 50pint dehumidifier is turned off, the humidity goes from 50 to 70% in an hour. It then takes 3 hours to drop it back to 50%.
If you have a house larger than 2000 sq ft, you may need a two or more dehumidifiers. Some will tell you that you're A/C reduces your humidity but it makes it colder too. With a dehumidifier you can control humidity AND temperature; something you cannot do with just the A/C alone. There is no wrong answer as to sizing unless yours is too small. Too large and it will tend to heat up your room a little; so when in doubt go bigger.
If you have the equipment needed, Internet search for "how to size a dehumidifier".
No equipment? Here is a simple way to "guestimate" a size. FIRST, does your area usually have high summer humidity? Ask your local radio or TV station. Or check the Internet. High=65% or more. Low= 40% or less. 40% means that a dehumidifier will not help.
For high humidity, a dehumidifier works well. If you want to also reduce your electric bill, keep your humidity below 50% and your temperature in the low 80's. [adjust to your comfort level]. However, look for you savings in comfort, not money; don't expect it to be paid for in big reductions in electricity bills. It does reduce your bill somewhat.
FOR A 1,000 TO 1,400sqft home: choose a 45-55 pint unit.
FOR A 1,400 TO 2,000sqft home: choose a 70 pint unit
TIPS FROM EXPERIENCE
Dehumidifier compressors "WILL" fail; usually within 2-4 years. I rarely buy extended warranties so this is my exception. Buy a three year guarantee that is tied to a local store. Mine cost $20 for a 50pint unit. Do not buy a factory guarantee [see note below]. A guarantee that requires shipping will cost a boatload to return, making the guarantee meaningless. BE SURE TO RETURN YOUR WARRANTY CARD and keep your receipt in a safe place. They do honor their 5 year compressor warranty and from what I hear gere, often by giving your money back, no return required. WOW.
LAYING DOWN ETC
The compressor is designed to pump refrigerant GAS. Turning a unit back on quickly or laying it down causes LIQUID refrigerant to enter the compressor. This puts a severe strain on the compressor that shortens its life if it fails to destroy it completely.
MY EXPERIENCES WITH THIS MODEL
I have a "DWD" the 2013 Frigidaire model and feel it is the best choice on the market, despite its tech support [NOTE: one reviewer said they got a cash refund from Frigidaire for a unit with a bad compressor solving ship costs]. It is well designed, including an efficient "squirrel cage" fan [slightly increased noise but much better].
Our dehumidifier is centrally located and reduces the humidity throughout the whole house. If you have a problem with that, see if one or two room fans help.
Noise is subjective [different strokes for different folks]. Personally, we eat and have conversations in our small dining room with the unit less than 3 feet behind my wife and it is running on high. If I listen for the noise, I can hear it but the noise does not interfere with us. I am hard of hearing; background noise can really bother me. I do not feel it is overly loud but you must decide what you want. You know, most folks are strong enough to move it somewhere else; do you think? I say buy the size Frigidaire you need.
My senior citizen wife has no problem with removing or dumping a full bucket. Any problem must be caused by "technique," rather than design.
The tech support is only by email and you get a list of standard problems after several days. WARNING; save on a guarantee and pay the price. I've dealt with many tech support systems. I always get helpful people to talk to. Email only? Give me a break.
Price? Amazon's price is great. Balance its price considering warranty cost, taxes and decide. I imagine it varies by state.
Honest reviews on Frigidaire FAD504DWD Energy Star 50-pint Dehumidifier
Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program Several reviewers have commented on the noisy fan. The fan on my Frigidaire FAD504DWD Energy Star 50-pint Dehumidifier, unlike my Whirlpool e-Humidifier (which sounds like a prop plane on a windy day) is muted, and cannot be heard from 2 rooms down and this is with the fan setting on HIGH.The Frigidaire FAD504DWD Energy Star 50-pint Dehumidifier arrived well packed (Styrofoam), battened down, with taped-to-body bucket, and did not need any assembly, other than removing the tape, moving it on its gliiiding casters (great handle on top too -I had to pick this up and it is not lightweight-the handle withstood the tugging and the hefting). It is handsomely designed, looks more-than-just-utilitarian, is pleasing to look at.
There is a drain in the back, for continuous use. A beeper lets you know that the bucket needs to be looked at (full, or not all the way tucked back into the body). The bucket has a handle -oh joy!! I had to be so careful with the Whirlpool's bucket-using one hand on each side of the bucket as I slooowly removed it from the body to keep things from splashing. Now all I have to do with the Frigidaire is pull the bucket forward, boldly pick up the bucket by the handle, and go to the balcony to water my plants with the excess water. I have found that adding a tiny bit of bleach to the water in the bucket, in-between bucket removal, helps to keep mold and mildew at bay (a lesson I learned from a former Dehumidifier that had to be Put To Sleep way before its time, as the green and black 3-D mold and mildew had crawled their way into inaccessible areas of the unit).
The controls are EZ to read and use no buttons, just a touch pad. The Instructional booklet in English, Spanish and French, was easy to understand and is quite thorough, including a page's worth of trouble-shooting advice. Just keep things clean, wash the filter, replace it when indicated, and of course keep dumping the bucket, or draining the water (the drain outlet looks well-built and up to the task.
I have not used the timer-function but it will come in handy when I need it. The lack of noise is wonderful-my old Whirlpool De-Humidifier was so noisy that although I was pretty sure my downstairs neighbors don't sleep in their livingroom/dinette, the noise from the Whirlpool was floor-rattling.
I live in a climate with three seasons -Spring/Summer (summer is hot hot hot, with humidity that almost rolls thru the air), Autumn (with sometimes very rainy Septembers) and Winter (usually dry, but sometimes host to a Mega Snowstorm). So this Frigidaire FAD504DWD Energy Star 50-pint Dehumidifier has arrived at just the right time as soon as Spring affirms its dainty-sweet existence, Summer will be leapfrogging over it to assert its dominance, with at-times scorching heat and mega humidity. I look forward to using this Frigidaire Dehumidifier for six months of almost-constant use. Yes I have A/C in all rooms except kitchen and bathroom, but when the AC is on in the brutish part of the summer, you would not know it.
The Whirlpool? Will be relegated to the kitchen -where so much of my food can be prone to spoiling because there is no heat or air-conditioning in the kitchen.
UPDATE-I can't believe how quickly the bucket fills-even on "just" a humid day in April--Zounds! this is a great dehumidifier!UPDATE 2 -May 2013 -I can't believe how quickly and how much water this takes out of the air!! I have to drain the bucket (which does not lend itself totally well to the act of draining, since water wants to spill out from mor e than one area while draning into the sink - but I'm getting the hang of it) at least once a day -I'd like to add a hose to the drain so it drains automatically but there is simply no place to drain this automatically in my apartment-unless I want the water to go over the balcony -and I don't think my downstairs neighbors will be amused by that.
PS-My Westinghouse Dehumidifier is now in the kitchen where it makes a lot of noise and does its job slowly.
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