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  • 1.  Dehumidifier

    Posted 09-13-2023 07:51

    Hi,

    I'd like a recommendation for a portable dehumidifier with a humidistat. The dehumidification equipment in our small vault (500 sq ft filled with steel compact shelving) just malfunctioned. Everything in our mixed materials collection is wrapped and archivally boxed-so the artifact's won't even register much change in RH for a few days. But I want to be prepared in case repairs take too long, and we have a nice, dewy cool marine layer outside. 
    Wouldn't a motor in a dehumidifier emit V0Cs? I've been able to keep the air in there super pure.

    Thanks so much for your help,

    Victoria 



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    Victoria Merriman
    Walnut Creek CA
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  • 2.  RE: Dehumidifier

    Posted 09-13-2023 07:52

    Hi all-

    We encourage community members to send along their experiences with dehumidifiers but know that C2C Care does not endorse any particular manufacturer over another. Thanks!



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    Robin Bauer Kilgo (she/her/hers)
    Connecting to Collections Care Coordinator, FAIC
    c2cc@culturalheritage.org
    Contract Registrar/Consultant
    rbkilgo@gmail.com
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  • 3.  RE: Dehumidifier

    Posted 09-14-2023 06:23

    Hi Victoria,

    I'm sorry to hear your inbuilt dehumidification system is malfunctioning!

    In the timeframe of a few days, I imagine a big factor will be availability and accessibility. A few dehumidifiers were mentioned in a 2019 thread, though cleanliness to operate was not a factor in that discussion. Technology changes fast, so I hope you will get many fresh replies, but in the meanwhile, here is a list of the brands mentioned in that conversation:

    Dri-Eaz PHD 200
    XPower XD-85L (fan runs continuously)
    Quest Hi-E Dry 195

    Hopefully you won't need it in this instance (fingers crossed for a simple repair!), but it is useful to have a dehumidifier on hand in case of emergency.

    Very best of luck,

    Lisa



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    Lisa Imamura (she/her/hers)
    Connecting to Collections Care Monitor
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Dehumidifier

    Posted 09-18-2023 08:59

    Hi Victoria:

    I have just started using a Midea Cube 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-In Pump for home use and have been pleased with its performance. It states that it can cover 4,500 sq ft and is a quiet unit while running. Water can be collected in the reservoir or drained by hose (with or without using the pump). It has various settings for fan speed, humidity, and reservoir fill level. I ordered mine through Costco and it arrived very quickly. 

    All the best,

    Catherine Hayes

    Conservator

    Heritage Sake

    Los Osos, CA





    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Dehumidifier

    Posted 09-14-2023 06:24

    In the UK we found Mitsubishi portable dehumidifiers were quiet, efficient, reliable and long-lasting. Sadly they no longer supply Europe, but if they're available in the US they'd be worth looking at.

    All the best

    Helena



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    Helena Jaeschke
    Conservation Development Officer
    South West Museum Development
    Taunton UK
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  • 6.  RE: Dehumidifier

    Posted 09-15-2023 08:35

    Not to spark panic into, but be sure you use caution when placing domestic dehumidifiers in any collection space. Domestic style dehumidifiers have a terrible history of recalls due to fires. I have attached a few notices, from a few different years, from the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. The problem is made worse by the fact that many times the recall hits multiple manufacturers, not just one. Sadly, there is no "safe" brand, regardless of the price, quality or manufacturer. Many manufacturers are using the same supplier for components. If that component goes bad the recall is across many brands.  <u1:p></u1:p>

    https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2023/Gree-Recalls-1-56-Million-Dehumidifiers-Due-to-Fire-and-Burn-Hazards-Reports-of-At-Least-23-Fires<u1:p></u1:p>

    https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2021/Two-Million-Dehumidifiers-With-Well-Known-Brand-Names-Recalled-Due-to-Fire-and-Burn-Hazards-Manufactured-by-New-Widetech<u1:p></u1:p>

    https://www.consumerreports.org/appliances/appliance-recalls/cpsc-warns-consumers-about-dehumidifier-fire-hazard-a7215606457/<u1:p></u1:p>

    https://www.cpsc.gov/zh-CN/Recalls/2011/ge-and-professional-series-brand-dehumidifiers-recalled-due-to-fire-hazard<u1:p></u1:p>

    I typically only recommend domestic dehumidifiers as a last resort for a collection space. I know they are way more expensive but I tend to recommend the larger commercial style dehumidifiers. There then to be more safety and fail safes built into them. For a short-term fix, you may want to look at possibly renting a commercial unit, or ask the HVAC vendor who is working on the system if they have a commercial dehumidifier they can put in the space temporarily. <u1:p></u1:p>



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    Christopher Cameron
    Sustainability Consultant
    Sustainable Heritage
    Churchville NY
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