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Thread: Wood Shop Dehumidifier

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Location
    NW Ohio
    Posts
    50

    Question Wood Shop Dehumidifier

    I am trying to figure out what you all are using for dehumidifiers in your shops. I have always just bought the 70 pint from Lowes or Mcnards, but I am tired of replacing these things every year it seems like. In the beginning, it keeps the shop around 38-42% running continuous on high which is where I want it to be. Now I'm 6 months into the latest dehumidifier and it struggles to keep the shop around 50-55% and is not putting out much water at all. I clean the filter and empty the bucket like I am supposed to. Any advice?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    SE PA - Central Bucks County
    Posts
    65,688
    My MiniSplit HVAC system handles that job...I don't cool excessively (74-76ºF generally when AC is running) but getting the humidity off makes for more comfortable working and obviously helps with tools and materials.

    We had dehumidifiers a number of years ago for a damp area of the home we were living in and they were frustrating in that they would eventually clog up.
    --

    The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...

  3. #3
    I too have a mini split like Jim in my small shop and it keeps it very comfortable and does a good job of dehumidifying the air. Might be worth it over the long haul instead of constantly doing what you have been doing.

  4. #4
    You might need to blow out the coils on your dehumidifier.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Location
    NW Ohio
    Posts
    50
    How much would one of these mini split systems run? My shop is roughly 32' x 31' x 14' walls. The idea of A/C even slightly to take out the humidity is appealing and beats the heck out of working in the shop when it's 90 degrees inside.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Location
    NW Ohio
    Posts
    50
    And I wouldn't need any heat as that is handled with a heat exchanger and fan from my OWB.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Location
    Modesto, CA, USA
    Posts
    9,889
    A minisplit will cost 1,000 to 2,000 plus installation. Pay a few hundred more and get it as a heat pump.
    Bil lD

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    SE PA - Central Bucks County
    Posts
    65,688
    Quote Originally Posted by Bill Dufour View Post
    A minisplit will cost 1,000 to 2,000 plus installation. Pay a few hundred more and get it as a heat pump.
    Bil lD
    Given the size of his shop, it's likely that the cost will be a bit more of that...probably needs two 18K BTU units for that amount of space, give or take. An HVAC specialist can confirm sizing.
    --

    The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...

  9. #9
    I use one but it drew so much dust into it I had to jury-rig it to put a furnace filter on it.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Location
    NW Ohio
    Posts
    50
    Well you all got me thinking more. For now I'm going to blow out the dehumidifier more and hope it works better to get me through into next year. I may have to look into a mini split system next year, but it is definitely out of the budget this year. Everything right now is dependent on how many new jobs I can get lined up for the rest of this year next year.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    SE PA - Central Bucks County
    Posts
    65,688
    Dylan, if you have a business, speak with your accountant about how best to handle things like putting HVAC in your shop for year-round comfort including humidity mitigation.
    --

    The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...

  12. #12
    I have been using a Frigidaire 70 pt humidifier for my 25 x 25 basement shop. I purchased it from Amazon in June of 2012. It is attached to a condensate pump and has been trouble free. The pump was replaced once during this period. I set it to automatically start if the humidity rises above 45 degrees when I first installed it. My previous unit was also a Frigidaire (also from Amazon) but it only lasted one season. When I contacted Frigidaire for service I was guided to Electrolux who had purchased the Frigidaire line. After I explained to them what happened and supplied a serial number they issued a full refund of my original purchase price. I was told to dispose of the defective unit locally, I have humidity gauge at the opposite end of my shop to validate that the unit is performing.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Central North Carolina
    Posts
    1,830
    When I had my shop in my basement, I too ran a 70 pint dehumidifier, with the dehumidifier tank connected to a drain, but I kept the humidity setting at about 55%. I didn't have any rusting problems, and the dehumidifiers lasted about 5 years before needing replacement. I think you should try a higher humidity setting so your dehumidifier gets a chance to rest occasionally.

    At my latest home my shop is in a separate building and I use a window mount style 2 ton heat pump, mounted high through the North wall. It takes care of both my heating and cooling needs. I found that I could get a pleated 12 X 20 furnace filter behind the cover, so it doubles as my air cleaner too when I use a good filter. The benefits of an above ground shop separated from the house is huge. I could write volumes about the benefits. I'll never have another basement shop.

    Charley

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    North Carolina
    Posts
    27
    I had an 18,000 BTU mini-split installed in my shop (900 sqft) last fall at at cost of about $3,800 (unit and installation). It does an amazing job of keeping my basement shop both cool and warm. Prior to installing the mini-split, in order to control the typical moisture related issues I installed a small GE dehumidifier set up to drain directly into a sump pump. I have it set at 45% and it runs a lot even with the mini-split (not as much during the winter). It does clog up if I forget to clean it; but, overall I am very pleased with the shop's comfort level with both the mini-split and dehumidifier.

  15. #15
    I have a central furnace and air in my shop, used the units from the house when upgrading to new, they are both high efficiency, although not nearly as high as the new mini split systems, so was shopping for a mini split earlier this year, and online could get a 2 ton unit for less than 1,000. Looks like going through a local HVAC company drives the cost amazingly expensive. Maybe someone could do a thread on installing your own mini split system, and help out all those considering it DYI.

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