Dehumidifiers that keep damp basements dry

As the old saying goes, "It's not the heat, it's the humidity." And with the most oppressive part of the summer still to come, it's a good time to consider buying a dehumidifier to make your home more comfortable. A capable air conditioner also draws moisture from the air but if you have a damp basement or another clammy space, it may take a dehumidifier to get the job done. In Consumer Reports' dehumidifier tests, we recommend a number of models that cost as little as $200.

If you have a dank basement, buy the largest dehumidifier you can. Capacity is measured in pints of water collected over a  24 hour period and the largest in our tests have a capacity of 60 to 70 pints. Our top-scoring large dehumidifier is the Kenmore Elite 54571, $330, which also has the advantage of being quiet. It earned excellent scores for water removal and energy efficiency. The tank is only 12 pints so you may be emptying it often. A better bet is to attach a hose and let the water drain into a floor drain or slop sink.

Medium-sized dehumidifiers have a capacity of 45 to 50 pints. Our top mid-sized model is the Kenmore 54550, $230, which also got excellent scores for water removal and energy efficiency. One of the smallest dehumidifiers in our tests, the Sunpentown SD-31E, $200, also got the highest marks overall. It has a capacity of 30 pints.

Find the source of the moisture

Weather isn't the only reason you may have moisture in your basement. To keep the dampness to a minimum, that are some steps you can take outdoors to ensure your comfort indoors. Here are some recommendations from Energy Star:

• Extend downspouts from your gutters away from the foundation of your home.
• Keep gutters and downspouts clear and open.
• Ensure that the soil slopes away from your foundation to avoid pooling of water around your home.
• Avoid over-watering of foundation plantings and make sure your outdoor faucets aren't leaking.
  

Indoors, make sure your dryer is properly vented to the outdoors and make a habit of using the vent fans in your kitchen and  bathroom to rid your home of humidity at the source.

—Mary H.J. Farrell (@mhjfarrell on Twitter)