[Kea]

Our new rental is lovely and warm which has made a huge difference to us- I think I'd be on a plane home if it wasn't.

But the mould is also loving the warmth and damp. We're debating whether to get a clothes dryer or dehumidifier to try and solve the problem. Can anyone recommend a cheapish dehumidifier? I don't really want to spend 800 bucks on one- are the expensive ones worth the extra cash?

Thanks

Joolz

[BkyMonster]

We bought one of the $1500 (so the seller said, possibly around $500 to buy now) variety for $40 on TradeMe...:exit
It is 5-6 years old and the number paint has worn off the knobs but works great.
Might find out what brand/model/features you like and have a look on TradeMe if you find you want one of the more expensive ones.

[victoria24]

placemakers were doing a dehumidier/heater for $250 the other week, we got one and its ace :D

[TonnyTessa]

I got a small red stamp one from the Warehouse for $199. So far so good. But I have only had it for a couple of weeks, and got nothing to compare it against, so don't take my word for it :)

[Familyofmonkeys]

We bought one of this mid-range ones when we first got here....

http://www.delonghi.co.nz/products/product_details.asp?Model=CFO8E

It seems to do the job nicely and is pretty quiet.....makes a noticable difference to the condensation we get on windows etc, although we still have a dryer for the laundry. I turn it on at the same time we close the curtains just before sun goes down and it's full by morning. Ours was new and cost around $300 but you can get second hand ones of same model on trade me.

[jubjub]

We have a red brand one from Warehouse and an Evantair, they both work well, but the evantair is much quieter.

[Tia Maria]

We bought one of this mid-range ones when we first got here....

http://www.delonghi.co.nz/products/product_details.asp?Model=CFO8E

It seems to do the job nicely and is pretty quiet.....makes a noticable difference to the condensation we get on windows etc, although we still have a dryer for the laundry. I turn it on at the same time we close the curtains just before sun goes down and it's full by morning. Ours was new and cost around $300 but you can get second hand ones of same model on trade me.

We have the same one and also found it works very well, (although no wheels). Not sure what we paid but I think we bought it new in a sale for around the $250-$300 mark.

Cheers

Tia

[M-Squared]

We recently got the 12-litre one by DeLonghi. It cost me 1,780.... FlyBuys points. ;) Our mortgage is tied into FlyBuys so we just saved $400 right there. :nice1 It's cranking away at the moment. Only run it when the tumble dryer is going as it's a bit nippy to open the back door to let the steam out. Besides which, it's more humid outside right now!

[James 1077]

We got a $250 evantair 20 litre one from the Warehouse last year. It gave up the ghost after about 14 months so we took it back in and had it replaced by another one.

It is a great dehumidifier but beeps at you when it decides to start and when its full - which can be a little annoying!

[Sam B]

When we bought one in the UK, someone who was into reading consumer guides etc advised us that is is very worth spending the extra money on dehumidifiers. I can't remember why now though. We did spend quite a bit of money in the end, and got a quiet, very efficient model. We borrowed a cheap one in nZ when we were in a damp rental, and it was crap in comparison, just didn't catch the moisture anything like as much and was really noisy.

[JasonS]

last year we bought a mitshubishi dehumidifier and after bargaining with the nice lad at the store, we paid $650 for it (retailed at the time for $799). a bit pricey, but the nice thing is that it has an adjustable swinging vent on the top that can be used to help to dry your clothes. that was one of the selling points for this particular dehumidifier. it is pretty quiet, easy to move to other rooms, and has a large collection tank in it.

laurel

[PeKaJoSa]

When we bought one in the UK, someone who was into reading consumer guides etc advised us that is is very worth spending the extra money on dehumidifiers. I can't remember why now though. We did spend quite a bit of money in the end, and got a quiet, very efficient model. We borrowed a cheap one in nZ when we were in a damp rental, and it was crap in comparison, just didn't catch the moisture anything like as much and was really noisy.

I believe that one of the big side-benefits is that it *much* cheaper to heat up the air in your house when the air humidity is lower.

Basically the 'drier' the air, the easier it is to heat up. If humidity is high, you are (almost literally) 'burning money' trying to heat up the water vapour content of the air. It's due to something called "specific heat", but that is too technical & boring to discuss here..! ;)

Suffice to say that although there is an electricity cost to running a dehumidifier, it should be much more than offset by the savings in your winter heating bills...!

Cheers!
Pete.

[Jo Jo]

We bought one of this mid-range ones when we first got here....

http://www.delonghi.co.nz/products/product_details.asp?Model=CFO8E


I've got this one as well - I chose it because it was given the best rating on consumer.org, which said, "Best combination of water-removal performance and energy efficiency. Good ease-of-use. Quietest machine in test. Reliable brand. Worked at 5°C."

We're very pleased with it.

They also recommend the Karda DB20E.

[Kanga]

I'm watching this thread intently because we'll probably need to get at least another dehumidifier in NZ and the one we have is really noisy. I'd like one we can run over night if need be.

[Kea]

We got a Delonghi CF08E yesterday for $370. So far it seems to be working well and is pretty quiet. Our clothes are definitely getting dryer faster. Hopefully we wont need a clothes dryer too.

Thanks for the hints.

Joolz

[Wooly_Cow]

Hopefully we wont need a clothes dryer too.

Thanks for the hints.

Joolz

A vented Clothes Dryer would be a much better option. I can't understand given the issues with dampness, why the majority of dryers here vent into the room. Given that the alterntive needs a bit of flexible hose and a hole in a normally wooden wall, it seems a no brainer to me.

[M-Squared]

A vented Clothes Dryer would be a much better option. I can't understand given the issues with dampness, why the majority of dryers here vent into the room. Given that the alterntive needs a bit of flexible hose and a hole in a normally wooden wall, it seems a no brainer to me.

Completely agree. Our house in the US had a vent from the basement to the outside. :nice1 Absolutely no reason why hoses should vent inside :confused:

[Tia Maria]

A vented Clothes Dryer would be a much better option. I can't understand given the issues with dampness, why the majority of dryers here vent into the room. Given that the alterntive needs a bit of flexible hose and a hole in a normally wooden wall, it seems a no brainer to me.

When we asked for our dryer to vent outside, when having our kitchen updated, you'd think we'd asked for something really outrageous.

Once we finally convinced them it was a good idea, they then all argued about whose responsibility it was to vent it - builder, electrician or plumber? Having said this, they also had a similar argument about who should but up the oven extractor fan - so maybe we were just unlucky.

Cheers

Tia

[dusk]

it's because everyone here is mad. top loading washing machines that chew your clothes and then driers that waft the damp air into your house... happy happy joy joy - only here!

[M-Squared]

it's because everyone here is mad. top loading washing machines that chew your clothes and then driers that waft the damp air into your house... happy happy joy joy - only here!

In 1997 when we bought our house in the US, top loaders were the norm there, too. I tried to argue that they weren't good for clothes, but MIL had INSISTED on buying us a washer and a dryer, so she therefore also INSISTED that that was what we would get. :rolleyes: <-- that little guy is way too happy...

[dusk]

... I have learned to love the little net bags you can put your things in to save them fromt he machine monster ;)

but when I eventually buy my own house it WILL have a lovely shiny new front loader and an outside venting tumble drier (which I already own but can't use as the laundry has a NZ wall hanging drier that vents into the house)

[enb]

To all those living in houses or apartments with double glazing, insulation and damp proofing, do you still need to use a dehumidifier? Would be interesting to know.

[enb]

... I have learned to love the little net bags you can put your things in to save them fromt he machine monster


I know what you mean about clothes being torn. I've managed to limit the damage by using pillowcases. :)

[Kea]

Our rental is about 2 years old so has insulation and a gas fire. No double glazing though. We dry clothes inside which may be part of the problem but don't have a clothes dryer. We've got mould on the windows which is why we got the dehumidifier. That's in Auckland.

[chocolate cake]

To all those living in houses or apartments with double glazing, insulation and damp proofing, do you still need to use a dehumidifier? Would be interesting to know.

is there such a house? :laugh

[broadsword08]

yup
at the end of the day all those measures do is keep the air warmer and capable of holding more water... you need verntilation to get rid of the moisture
our house is done up pretty tight but in winter when you dont want to open the windows all the time that moistures got no where to go... we run the dehumidifer for a few hours a day early afternoon in the winter... was just the same in kernow... damp maritime climate

PS: if youve got mould on the windows it because they never get dry for long enough... wipe the moisture off in the morning!

[lindreth]

Picked up a red stamp one today at the warehouse. They are 30% off right now. $140!

[miep]

To all those living in houses or apartments with double glazing, insulation and damp proofing, do you still need to use a dehumidifier? Would be interesting to know.

We live in such a house:yes and no we don't have a dehumidifier and don't feel we need one. Wellington is generally less humid than Auckland though and we live in a very sunny spot which makes a huge difference.

When the building inspector was last here he did mention that our dryer didn't vent to the outside and that was illegal (!) and it took me a while to explain how a condenser dryer worked and that we therefore didn't need a hose to go outside.
I'm guessing that the latest building code does include these things just like it now includes double glazing and more insulation.

[Sam B]

We live in an insulated new build with high ceilings and double glazing. We have no condensation on the windows, no damp or mould and don't need a humidifier. Hoorah! It's still freezing in the bedrroms in the morning though!