Frigidaire FAD704DUD 70-Pint Portable Dehumidifier
The number of portable dehumidifiers sold each year is on the increase. In some cases homeowners want to start making use of basements and other rooms that they previously avoided due to damp. There is also an increase in demand for dehumidifiers used to reduce the humidity in rooms, where the humid conditions are causing health problems and damage to the walls, carpets and furniture.
Manufacturers are developing more portable dehumidifier models in order to meet this demand, and this gives a large choice for the consumer. Although choice is a good thing, it can also cause confusion as homeowners are unsure which model best meets their requirements. Frigidaire is aware of this and as a result have released the portable dehumidifier that forms the subject of this review, the FAD704DUD 70-Pint model. This dehumidifier has the perfect balance of effectiveness, features, efficiency for just about every application and in particular the low cost makes it currently the best portable dehumidifier for the money.
Don’t forget to read my review of the Frigidaire FAD504TDD 50-Pint Portable Dehumidifier if you think the 50-pint model is sufficient for your needs.
- Recent price reduction make it great value for money
- Great Improvement on the FAD704TDP
- 70 pints per day dehumidification
- Continuous operation when unit is located near a suitable drain
- Electronic controls with 2 fan speeds
- Low temperature operation
Frigidaire FAD704DUD Portable Dehumidifier - Great Improvement vs. FAD704TDP
When a manufacturer brings out a new product that is designed to replace an older model, it always makes an interesting comparison. Now the Frigidaire FAD704TDP was and still is in fact a top class dehumidifier. This means that Frigidaire had their work cut out to try and improve on it.
Well I have been able to identify four ways in which the FAD704DUD is superior to the FAD704TDP. Perhaps the most important is that it is so quiet. In fact you might find yourself checking that the compressor is actually operating if you are used to hearing the sound from other dehumidifiers in this class.
One of my criticisms of the last unit is that the drain hose attachment for the gravity drain used to be difficult to reach. It is now positioned on the outside of the case, which makes for easy access.
Another improvement is the fact that the exhaust on the new model is at the top in comparison to the back or side exhaust that featured on previous models. This lends itself to placing the unit closer to the wall as the chance of obstruction above the unit are much less than at the back or the sides. It also helps the air to circulate around the unit and the direction of the exhaust is probably the main factor that makes it so quiet.
The final factor I see is that in spite of the fact that we are talking about a brand new improved model, remarkably it is cheaper than the previous unit.
The Best in its Class
There are many portable dehumidifiers to choose from but the improvements I’ve identified make this model the best in its class. For example if you compare it to the LG units, not only are these much noisier but the biggest bugbear of the LG is the fact that the coils freeze up every now and then.
Frigidaire FAD704DUD Gets the Job Done
The typical humidity level in a damp basement is around 75%. If you leave the Frigidaire FAD704DUD on continuous cycle for 3 or 4 days you should find a reduction of 25% or so. This brings the humidity to a level of 50%, which is low enough to dry out walls and any other damp surfaces. It also makes the room much more comfortable to use and removes the general musty smells that are associated with damp rooms. Once it has reached this level you can set the controls so that it only switches on when the humidity starts to rise again.
As a first test of its efficiency you might want to remove the drain hose and use the bucket. As long as the initial ambient humidity is high enough you will see that Frigidaire’s figure of 70 pints in 24 hours is easily met.
Easy to Set Up and Use
The electronic controls are intuitive and the unit is so easy to set up. The only thing to do is to determine whether to use a drain hose or to manually empty the bucket. The bucket has a fold down handle that makes it very easy to carry.
The Energy Star Compliant Frigidaire FAD704DUD will operate continuously to remove 70 pints of water per day when located near a drain. When using the bucket, the unit will switch off automatically when the 2 gallon bucket is full. The unit also has a washable filter that removes both moisture and airborne particulates. There are two fan speeds.
The casters make this a truly portable dehumidifier…Find out more
Dehumidifiers for the Home Frigidaire FAD704DUD Rating: 
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Frigidaire FAD704DUD Price
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Product Details:
Dehumidification pints per day - 70
Weight - 49 lbs
Dimensions - 11.3 x 16.1 x 24.6 inches
Air filter - washable
Humidistat control - Automatic
Automatic Shut-Off System - Yes…More information on the Haier CJ30M 30 Pint Dehumidifier
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Some Useful External Links
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/appliances/heating-cooling-and-air/dehumidifiers/index.htm
Dehumidifiers: Reviews, ratings and buying guides for a variety of dehumidifiers from independent, unbiased experts.
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=find_a_product.showProductGroup&pgw_code=DE
The average ENERGY STAR qualified dehumidifier can save consumers about $20 per year. Over the life of the unit, that’s more than $220 in savings! …
http://www.haieramerica.com/en/category/Home_Comfort/Dehumidifiers
The intelligent design of Haier’s dehumidifiers makes them efficient and effective. Many are ENERGY STAR® qualified, saving energy and money, ..
Portable Dehumidifier Buying Guide on Video
A dehumidifier can irradicate that sticky feeling from a damp basement or a crawl space. If humidity levels are above 50 percent the humid environment can breed dust mites, mildew, and mold, which may cause or worsen allergies and asthma. As you can see from the video, the best dehumidifiers aren’t necessarily the highest priced.
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Mold might appear to be simply an annoying problem but, depending on the variety of mold, it can also pose a danger to health. Many people with damp rooms, particularly in basements, have allergy symptoms, which without them knowing, come from the presence of toxic mold. If you have mold in your home, you will know that it is unsightly as well as bad smelling. This makes for an uncomfortable living environment and can also lead to problems when selling your home. There is a simple solution to the mold problem before it gets out of hand.
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