Happy New Year Homeowners!

This weeks content:

• Your next basement dehumidifier

• What content I’m enjoying

• Homeowner News

How Old Is Your Basement Dehumidifier?

My guess is you need a new dehumidifier. Basements naturally collect moisture because they are below grade and cooler than the rest of the house. Excess humidity causes mold, musty odors, wood damage, and corrosion of mechanical equipment. A properly sized dehumidifier is one of the simplest ways to protect your home. Over time these units performance decreases.

Pint Ratings: What Really Works

Dehumidifiers are rated by how many pints of water they remove per day, but manufacturer ratings are based on ideal lab conditions (warm air, moderate humidity). Real basements are cooler and wetter, so actual performance is lower.

Recommended Practical sizing (real-world):

• 500–1,000 sq. ft., unfinished or damp: 40–50 pints/day

• 1,000–2,000 sq. ft., finished or moderately damp: 50–70 pints/day

• Very damp basements or water intrusion: 70–90+ pints/day

Very Important: Big Box store products are very misleading, with highly overstated “square footage” claims, and no stated standard for their pints per day claims!

Skip the Home Depot junk, and prepare your basement for the summer of 2026, with these basement dehumidifiers from Alorair.

Why I love these:

• Alorair products are supported by a dedicated US customer service and technical team. Not a Home Depot customer service desk, yikes!

• 5 Year Warranty (4 more than typical big box junk)

• About the same cost as big box store units (A way better value!)

• Comes with the drain hose

• Energy Star Rated

• Well built enclosure.

• Make sure to buy the risers and a spare filter!

Critical Features to Look For

• Low-temperature operation with auto-defrost (important for cool basements)

• Built-in humidistat (set target humidity to 45–55%)

• Continuous drainage or pump to avoid emptying buckets

• Energy Star rating for lower operating costs

• Acceptable noise level if the basement is finished or occupied

Installation & Maintenance Basics

• Place the unit centrally with clear airflow.

• Ensure the drain hose slopes properly or use a pump.

• Clean the air filter monthly and check hoses for clogs.

Bottom Line

Correct sizing, cold-temperature performance, and reliable drainage matter far more than advertised pint ratings.

Homeowner News

Article #1 - How do your property taxes compare?

Article #2 - Houzz Homeowner Renovation Report

Article #3 - Save Money With The Inflation Reduction Act

Content I’m Enjoying

• McMansion Hell - Critical and funny reviews of modern suburban homes.

• Maria Killam’s Blog - Color Expert, and curator of timeless and proper home design. Check out her blog post on Timeless Colors and Design.

• HOAs will grow from  approximately 373,000  at the end of 2025 to as many as 377,000 by the end of 2026. - Learn More Here - 82% say their elected board serves the community’s best interests

Alorair 35 Pint Dehumidifiers

About the Author

I’m Adam Rich, a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) and Real Estate Salesperson in the state of Ohio. I help discerning homeowners like you take control of the complexity behind your home.

With a background in engineering, property management, construction, and real estate investing, I specialize in helping understand the systems that make your home work.

Whether you're planning major renovations, systems upgrades, assessing long-term maintenance, or just want to get a handle on your home’s true condition, I deliver expert-level answers in clear, practical language.

Ready for Expert, Unbiased Advice?

Whether it’s a one-time consultation or an ongoing relationship, I offer homeowners peace of mind through clear insights, practical planning, and calm expertise.

I am available to consult on home maintenance and improvements, new construction decisions and options, real estate investing or purchases, real estate engineering matters, and other home systems matters.

The content of this newsletter is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Always perform your own due diligence before making any financial decisions.