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Kenmore 50 Pint
Dehumidifier Review
The Kenmore 50 Pint Dehumidifier is outwardly identical to the Kenmore 70 Pint Dehumidifier but has a lower moisture removal capability than the larger unit and it too is Energy Star® certified.
The main advantage of the 50 pint unit is its lower energy use and if you have a smaller area in which you need humidity control this may be a better choice.
This Kenmore Dehumidifier is suitable for smaller to medium sized areas but if the size of the area in which you will be operating the dehumidifier is approaching the limit for a 50 pint unit it is well worth considering a larger dehumidifier. Larger capacity dehumidifiers, of all makes, remove more moisture per energy dollar than smaller ones.
Their higher extraction rate also means that they do not need to run for so many hours per day to control humidity in a given area as a smaller unit.
Since energy will almost certainly cost more over the life-time of the dehumidifier than its purchase price the energy savings may be greater than the difference in price.
Features
As its name suggests the Kenmore 50 Pint Dehumidifier will remove 50 pints of moisture from the air every day. In every day use the amount of water that collects in the water collection container will be less, probably much less than 50 pints. The "pints per day" rating given to dehumidifiers is only helpful in providing a means of comparison between dehumidifiers. All dehumidifiers will collect amounts that vary according to the ambient conditions of temperature and relative humidity.
In order to provide a common standard for making these comparisons AHAM (the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers) lays down conditions under which all of the dehumidifiers it certifies must be tested. These conditions are an ambient temperature of 80°F and 60% relative humidity. Most, although not all, suppliers to the North American market conform to the AHAM standard and Sears Kenmore Dehumidifiers are among those included. This ensures that when we compare the Kenmore 50 Pint Dehumidifier with, for example, the Frigidaire 50 Pint Dehumidifier we know that both will control humidity in a given area to the same degree.
The Kenmore 50 Pint Dehumidifier is the same size and weight as the 70 pint unit and the main advantages it offers are a lower purchase price and energy use. The price advantage is unambiguous but, as explained above, the lower energy cost per hour may translate into a higher energy cost per day if the size of the area in which this dehumidifier is used is towards the upper end of its capacity.
In every other respect the Kenmore 50 Pint Dehumidifier is identical to the 70 pint unit in terms of both its specification and the comments of those who have purchased it.
The design of the water collection container and its mounting are the same and the same complaints have been made about the difficulty of removing and replacing the bucket when disposing of the condensate. The Kenmore 50 Pint Dehumidifier is configured for continuous drainage and this option may be preferred for its greater convenience. In contrast to complaints about the bucket customers report approvingly on the ease of setting up this feature.
If you choose to take advantage of this feature a small hose will be required, at an extra cost. The hose attaches to the dehumidifier and may be run to a nearby drain. The hose must be sloping downwards from the outlet port in the unit to the drain as the water feed is by gravity alone. Raising the dehumidifier above floor level will improve drainage but if this is not possible a separate condensate pump will be required to force the water over a greater distance, or to provide vertical lift, to a suitable drain.
Humidity control is managed by means of an adjustable humidistat incorporated in the dehumidifier. If you are new to dehumidifiers it may be helpful to know that relative humidity of 50%, or a little lower, will be comfortable for occupants of the home, except the unwelcome ones, including mold and dust mites. It should also be sufficient to control condensation. If you wish to monitor the ambient humidity a separate hygrometer will be required as there is no read-out for this value on the dehumidifier's control panel.
The Kenmore 50 Pint Dehumidifier has the normal auto-defrost function found in most room dehumidifiers whereby ice formation on the cold coil is detected and the compressor stops working to allow the ice to melt. Ice on the coil reduces efficiency and can damage the unit. In cooler temperatures the dehumidifier may be in de-frost mode for extended periods of time and room dehumidifiers such as the Kenmore 50 Pint Dehumidifier are less than ideal for areas with a typically low ambient temperature, such as cold basements and garages. This will be more relevant to those of you who experience cold winters.
The Kenmore 50 Pint Dehumidifier shares the pleasing appearance of the 70 pint model which has attracted approval from many users. It is equally portable with the same carrying handles and caster wheels and has exactly the same weight of 40.1lb. Its dimensions too are the same at 23.75(h) x 12.33(d) x 14.5(w) inches so for a machine in its class it is relatively larger and heavier than the 70 pint unit.
Unfortunately we have been unable to discover a published figure for the noise level of the Kenmore 50 Pint Dehumidifier but the complaints about the noise made by this unit are as frequent in reviews as for the larger model. While perceptions and expectations of noise vary the number of complaints suggests that this unit may be noisier than some others.
The Kenmore 50 Pint unit is operated via the same electronic, soft touch controls as the 70 pint unit dehumidifier, which have attracted praise for their ease of use.
PRODUCT SPECIFICATION
| Brand | Kenmore (Sears) | Model | Kenmore 50 Pint Dehumidifier | Application(s) | Residential | Suitable for | Medium sized areas | Portable | Yes | Carrying handle(s) | Yes | Wheels/casters | Yes | Weight (lb) | 40.1 | Dimensions, inches (WxDxH) | 14.5 x 12.33 x 23.75 | Dehumidification process | Refrigerant | Water extraction (80°F 60%RH) | 50 pints per 24 hrs | Water container capacity (pints) | Not given | Container full indicator | Yes | Auto-power cut off when full | Yes | Continuous drainage option | Yes (to nearby drain) | Operating temperature range | Not given | Air Flow Volume | 120 CFM | Anti-frost | Yes | Electronic controls | Yes | Humidistat | Yes | Variable fan speed settings | Yes (3) | Noise level | Not given | Power input | 115v/5.6amps/640 watts |
Advantages
- Powerful
- Portable
- Humidistat, keeps humidity at a comfortable level and saves energy
- Continuous drainage, avoids emptying water container by hand
- Easy to use electronic controls
Disadvantages
- Water bucket difficult to replace
- No read-out for ambient relative humidity
- No auto-restart feature
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