Review of Frigidaire FAD504DUD 50-Pint Dehumidifier

Customer Ratings:

I received this unit free of charge because my old unit failed AND because I registered that purchase online at the Frigidaire website.

I originally purchased the Frigidaire 50-pint humidifier (Model FDF50S1) in June of 2009 [i.e. the 2009 version of this product] through Amazon.com. The unit worked perfectly for two years then stopped dehumidifying. The unit would power on, one could change the fan speed, but the unit would not dehumidify even though the unit was set to Continuous (CO) and a hyrgrometer showed the basement room to be at 49% humidity.

After contacting a local Frigidaire authorized repairer, I learned these units are considered "throwaway" meaning there are no serviceable parts (except the filter). The units are less expensive to replace than repair, so the manufacturer does not sell any replacement parts (except the filter). My 2009 system had a one year full warranty (long past) and a Years 2-5 "Sealed System" warranty (the sealed refrigeration system).

I called Frigidaire (eventually directed to Electrolux Home Appliances, the actual manufacturers of Frigidaire dehumidifiers), and was expecting to have to pay some cost to get my unit replaced. The rep told me that since the dehumidifier system failed (within the five year warranty) the unit would be replaced with a new 50-pint unit FREE OF CHARGE. Frigidaire arranged for me to pick up a new unit (this unit) at Lowe's at no cost to me.

Since my unit was REGISTERED ONLINE AT FRIGIDAIRE.COM at the time of purchase, I did not have to submit any receipts nor send the old unit back.

Therefore, I have two summary points:

1. These dehumidifiers only last a few years

2. Make sure you register your Frigidaire dehumidifier purchase on-line after you buy. It will make the replacement process alot easier.

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FIRST REVIEW (2 stars):

1) The dehumidifier function seems to be quite effective. Our basement was really dank. After a few days, the difference is quite improved.

2) The machine does NOT drain into a hose. I tried all of the suggestions seen in other reviews without success. I was really hoping that I could drain directly into the sump pit, but that is not to be. The water does collect in the tank, so a trip to the basement is required every two days. Not the end of the world, but not as advertised either.

UPDATE Frigidaire is sending me a modification to the dehumidifier. Per their email of today, "We are pleased to announce we now feature a kit that once installed should totally eliminate the drainage issue. We are mailing the kit along with installation instructions direct to your residence. Please allow 7-10 business days."

So, if you are having the drainage problem, you need to contact Frigidaire via their web site and request the kit.

I will let you know if it works...

UPDATE # 2 Frigidaire got the parts to me in 3 days. There is a plug for the drain which leads into the tank, diverting the water. The other part is an adaptation for the threaded drain on the back. Installation of both required less than one minute.

Viola! Water is now coming out of the hose!

Although one must wonder why they don't include the modification kit with the original product package, I'm quite impressed with Frigidaire service.

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I use this in my finished basement, and it does an excellent job of keeping it dry. I used it when it was 98 and humid and it did its job. I had to empty it out about two times a day. When the temperature dropped to the 70s and humidity dropped, I emptied it out about once a day. I can be away from my house a couple days at a time, so I hooked up a hose. Initially, it did not drain out of the hose, but instead continued to drain into the bucket. I took off the rear two wheels so it tips back a bit, now it drains through the hose.

If you are considering purchasing this, I would look elsewhere to a product that was designed correctly instead of needing to make an adjustment. If you already purchased this, want to use continuous draining, but do not want to return it, either put some cardboard at the front of the dehumdifier, or take off the rear wheels so it will drain from the hose instead of into the bucket. Hopefully there are no other design errors with this product, since it keeps my basement dry.

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I've got a Whirlpool dehumidifier that has run ALMOST continuously in my basement for 6 years and a Kenmore dehumidifier that has run pretty much continuously in my garage for 8 years. Throw a little bleach in the water bucket every now and then ... that's all one has to do with these two appliances.

I bought THIS Frigidaire dehumidifier for my bathroom just SIX WEEKS AGO! The electronic control panel has been "sketchy" a couple of times since then but tonight it quit working completely. I should have known better (but, alas, I thought lightning did not strike twice in the same place) because I bought ANOTHER Frigidaire dehumidifier (which I've also reviewed on AMAZON) just a little over a year ago and its electronic control panel ceased to work just a few days after the one year "warranty" expired.

So, I will never buy another Frigidaire or Electrolux (who now owns Frigidaire) product again for as long as I live. Govern yourselves accordingly with regard to these poorly engineered products.

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The two dehumidifiers I have had running in the basement started staying on longer and longer and producing less and less water even while the humidity was increasing one of them actually stopped producing completely.

When I plugged in the Frigidaire FAD504DUD 50-Pint Dehumidifier, I was first amazed at the noise level. Practically nil compared to the other two units and also much more airflow with the squirrel-cage fan vs the standard bladed/rotating fans on the others.

I had a full bucket of water within 6 hours! I ran it through two more full bucket-cycles over the next 24 hours before I made the decision to keep it. After that, I put it on a raised platform (3 feet) and connected a hose down to the furnace condensate removal pump. Works like a charm!

A word about the hose connection. I had no issues as other reviews have mentioned. This must be an improved model. All I had to do was unscrew the cap on the outlet and connect a hose. No "kit" was required as some others noted.

It is important to make sure the unit is level or tipped back slightly for the hose drain to work properly as there is no pump in the Frigidaire FAD504DUD 50-Pint Dehumidifier it is strictly gravity that moves the water out the hose or into the bucket.

Another note regarding this: Most basements have a slope built into the floor! Either towards a standard floor drain or to the outside perimeter. Do yourself a favor and put a level on top of your Frigidaire FAD504DUD 50-Pint Dehumidifier and shim it level or slightly back and to the right to get the best performance.

Oh! Delivery was 3 days with Prime instead of the normal 2 day Prime delivery. I was notified of this extra day at time of purchase. No big deal for me but it may effect your buying decision.

Update: I have to rescind my comments about not needing a kit for hose drainage. Seems that a "plug" needs to be inserted in the hole that empties into the bucket. Frigidaire is sending me a one of these plugs so I think that all will be fine in the end. I am keeping the five star rating as the customer service was top-notch. They are even sending me an additional kit to "fix" the second Frigidaire FAD504DUD 50-Pint Dehumidifier I ordered over the weekend (it shipped today). Why don't they send the "kit" with every dehumidifier? I doubt they cost more than a few cents each, but I'm sure they have their reasons. I'll update if the kit fails to fix the issue (but I am confident that won't be necessary).